After a few days of delay as a result of a timing issue, the winners of the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race have announced.

The release of final results was delayed to allow for redress hearings and an international jury decision regarding the rescoring of the race after an error was discovered in preliminary results.

US Sailing published a statement addressing software-related issue affecting the corrected-time calculations.

“US Sailing recognises that the software-related issue affecting the corrected-time calculations in the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race has had a significant impact on competitors, race officials, and the broader sailing community,” the statement read.

“We sincerely apologise for the role we played in what was a complex and multifaceted situation. The issue resulted from an error in the routing software used to generate the fleet’s forecasted Time Correction Factors (TCFs). Once the issue was identified, race organisers, technical officials, and scoring personnel worked alongside US Sailing to verify the error and produce corrected-time calculations.

“We are also aware of the International Jury’s decision to reinstate the original results in accordance with the governing race documents.

“From the moment the issue was identified, US Sailing worked proactively with the software provider, rating authorities, and race officials to understand the issue, validate the corrected calculations, and provide support throughout the process.

“The use of TCFs is relatively new and we will continue working closely with the software provider, rating authorities, race organisers and other stakeholders to review what occurred, strengthen validation processes, and identify measures to help prevent similar issues in future events.

“US Sailing remains committed to supporting race organisers with reliable technology, transparent processes, and fair competition standard.”

The race’s most prestigious prize, the St David’s Lighthouse Trophy, went to Cal 40 Nicole, owned and skippered by Thomas Campbell for winning the St. David’s Lighthouse Division overall title.

The St David’s Lighthouse division is the largest division, with nearly 60 per cent of the fleet competing for the iconic trophy modelled after the lighthouse which sits above the race’s finish line. With no overall race winner, this is considered the top prize among the trophies and the division limits the number of professional sailors on-board, and only amateurs may drive.

“Nicole is fast, efficient and I have a wonderful crew,” said Campbell. “My goal with the programme is to provide a boat that is safe, seaworthy and sound, and that we can sail hard. We didn’t have one glitch and this race was an evolution. We had a plan and it changed right from the beginning.”

Finishing second in the division was the McCurdy & Rhodes 38 Selkie skippered and owned by Bermuda Race legend Sheila McCurdy. This is McCurdy’s third time in the No 2 spot in this race and she has now completed 22 Newport Bermuda races. Rounding out the podium was Towhee, a Cal 40 skippered and owned by Paul Jennings.

Though they did not take the overall division title, Alexander Mehran’s Gesture, a Sparkman & Stephens sloop captured first place in Class 3. Eighty years ago in the first Bermuda Race following the Second World War, this boat won the St. David’s Lighthouse Trophy. A restoration of Gesture, completed in 2023 was carried out with another Thrash To The Onion Patch in mind.

“It has been so cool to be sailing the boat in conditions that it was designed for and returning it to Bermuda’s waters,” said skipper Max Petrushonis.

The Gibbs Hill Division is the no-holds-barred category, with no limits on crew composition or sail inventory and both Line Honors and the overall division title went to Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun and owned by Remon Vos.

Formerly known as the Cruising Class, the Finisterre Division pays homage to Carleton Mitchell’s famed yacht Finisterre, which won three Bermuda Races in the 1950s. Despite the name, these are far from casual cruisers. The division simply limits sail inventory and prohibits professional crew, offering a competitive platform for Corinthian teams.

Taking the top spot was Argyll, a Hinckley SW 48 owned and skippered by Christopher Burnham.

“It was just an amazing race, really four races rolled into one,” Burnham said. “We roared down the line Friday and Saturday, caught an eddy at just the right moment, never were without some wind, and then match-raced the final day against our sister ship, Northeast Wind.”

Second place went to Northeast Wind, a Hinckley 48 sloop belonging to Frank Sobchak. In third position was Soren Schroder’s Bristol 477 Elixir.

The Double-Handed Division has grown in popularity recently and represents one of the race’s most demanding challenges in completing the crossing with just two sailors on-board.

Victorious this year were Tony Giarratana and Paul Kanev aboard Hinckley SW 52 Bella.

“Winning the double-handed class and division was special, particularly given the skill and experience of the other sailors,” Giarratana said.

“In preparation, we studied all available weather and gulf stream data. We worked to keep Bella moving through the night and in light breeze. It helped that Paul and I have sister ships and raced together many times the past ten years.”

Joining Bella’s crew on the podium were Michael Kohler and Douglas Britton aboard the J/99 Eventyr and Kyle Wishart and John Plominski on J/40 Artemisia in third.

One recognisable boat stood on its own in the Spirit of Tradition Division. The Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s Spirit of Bermuda is the national tall ship of Bermuda and returned to the race for the first time since 2022.

“Completing the Newport Bermuda Race marks a pivotal milestone for the Spirit of Bermuda following a period of significant operational challenges,” said skipper Mario Swainson.

“Our successful relaunch and presence at the finish line are a direct result of the steadfast backing of our donors, stakeholders, and the broader Newport Bermuda Race community. “I commend the crew for their professionalism and seamanship during the race. We look forward to participating in many more Bermuda Races for years to come.”