The South County 12 Meter Regatta is finally here. On Thursday, June 21, former America’s Cup winners and contenders will race off Narragansett Pier in an event celebrating RI’s storied yacht-racing past. This is the first ever 12 meter yacht race to take place in Narragansett, so we are especially excited. This day-long festival (12-8 PM) is free, and is the perfect kick-off to the international racing that begins on June 26, when Newport hosts Rhode Island’s first America’s Cup event since 1983. 
Six classic and traditional yachts will compete: American Eagle, Weatherly, Columbia, Intrepid, Nerfertiti, and Northern Light. These boats have some pretty interesting history. Although the American Eagle never won the big race, she did win the first World Ocean Racing Championship in 1969 when—fun fact—she was owned and commanded by businessman Ted Turner, the founder of CNN. Weatherly won the America’s Cup in 1962, and is the only boat in history to win without being newly built for the competition. According to the event website, she was a favorite of President and Mrs. Kennedy, who closely followed that year’s Twelve Meter racing season from their summer home at Hammersmith Farm in Newport. Columbia was the winner of the first 12 Meter America’s Cup in 1958, and Intrepid won twice: 1967 and 1970. Nefertiti was designed by Yachtsman and Naval Architect Ted Hood, who won the America’s Cup in 1974 while skippering the yacht Courageous, and Northern Light was the trial horse for three of the America’s Cup defenses. A historical collection of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts will be displayed during the event, and a reception will be held at the Towers, where local food vendors and music will be posted outside. The regatta may be viewed from Ocean Road, the Narragansett seawall, Veterans and Gazebo Park, and the Narragansett Town Beach.
Six classic and traditional yachts will compete: American Eagle, Weatherly, Columbia, Intrepid, Nerfertiti, and Northern Light. These boats have some pretty interesting history. Although the American Eagle never won the big race, she did win the first World Ocean Racing Championship in 1969 when—fun fact—she was owned and commanded by businessman Ted Turner, the founder of CNN. Weatherly won the America’s Cup in 1962, and is the only boat in history to win without being newly built for the competition. According to the event website, she was a favorite of President and Mrs. Kennedy, who closely followed that year’s Twelve Meter racing season from their summer home at Hammersmith Farm in Newport. Columbia was the winner of the first 12 Meter America’s Cup in 1958, and Intrepid won twice: 1967 and 1970. Nefertiti was designed by Yachtsman and Naval Architect Ted Hood, who won the America’s Cup in 1974 while skippering the yacht Courageous, and Northern Light was the trial horse for three of the America’s Cup defenses. A historical collection of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts will be displayed during the event, and a reception will be held at the Towers, where local food vendors and music will be posted outside. The regatta may be viewed from Ocean Road, the Narragansett seawall, Veterans and Gazebo Park, and the Narragansett Town Beach.
