12 Metre North American Championship concludes as Newport looks ahead to the 2026 Worlds
by International 12 Metre Association 25 Sep 2025 20:36 BST
September 19-21, 2025
The 2025 12 Metre North American Championship concluded September 21 on Narragansett Bay, bringing together a small yet iconic fleet of four boats whose elegance was matched by fierce competition.
An immersive video by Dave Reed, Editor of Sailing World Magazine, captured the sights and sounds of the regatta, offering viewers a chance to step inside the action.
Hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club in partnership with the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) Americas Fleet, the regatta featured multi-generational crews — from high school sailors to septuagenarians and octogenarians trimming, steering, and grinding — united by legacy, precision, and speed.
Though designed decades ago, the 12 Metres delivered performances that felt thrillingly modern. Constant refinement, expert seamanship, and thoughtful stewardship kept these classic yachts racing at the highest level. Starts were aggressive, with boats crossing within feet of one another, and tight tacking duels unfolded upwind. Downwind, spinnakers were full off Newport's storied shoreline, with overlapped yachts trading gybes in striking proximity.
Weather and conditions
The first two days of racing brought light, shifty winds that demanded precision and tactical boat-on-boat crosses. By Sunday, stronger breezes filled in, hiking crews hard to weather and sending spray off the bows as the physicality of the racing intensified. Temperatures held in the 60s-70s degreesF, ideal for late-September sailing on Narragansett Bay, with the Newport Bridge and Fort Adams providing a dramatic backdrop for spectators.
"Hats off to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club Race Committee. They are by far one of the best, and they put together a wonderful regatta — especially with the tricky wind speeds and shifts we were having out there on the courses," said Kevin Hegarty, skipper of Columbia, US 16 and 2025 North American Champion.
Final results competition and competition
Columbia (built 1958), skippered by Hegarty, captured top honors in both the Traditional Division and the Open Division. Weatherly US 17 (built 1958), helmed by Steven Eddleston, secured second in both classifications. American Eagle US 21 (built 1964) and Courageous, US 26 (built 1974) rounded out the top places, with Courageous featuring a crew bolstered by youth sailors from Oakcliff Sailing — a testament to the class's commitment to engaging the next generation.
"What's unique about the 12 Metre fleet is that innovation has continued within the same rule for more than a century. Even without new-build designs, incremental refinements have kept these boats competitive without leaving others behind. That's why you still see close, head-to-head racing today — the beauty of the class is that a subtle shift in the wind can still decide who walks away with the silver," said TJ Perrotti, Newport-based naval architect and marine engineer, who has competed in other regattas aboard the 12 Metre Onawa US 6 (built 1928).
"There was great competition among the 12 Metres. Weatherly really stepped up their game with all the work they've done on the boat and bringing in a top crew. It was also great to see the younger generation out on Courageous, and I was especially impressed when they edged us out in the final race to get a first in the Classic Division," said Hegarty. "Eagle has always been a fast boat and a great competitor, she just couldn't seem to find her groove this regatta."
Perrotti added: "What continues to amaze me about the 12 Metres is that a boat designed in the 1920s, if well-sailed and well-maintained, can still go head-to-head with a yacht from the 1980s. That kind of competitiveness across generations is remarkable—and it speaks to the brilliance of the 12 Metre rule and the enduring integrity of these designs."
Acknowledgments
"We are grateful to Citizens Private Bank for presenting the Annual 12 Metre Fleet dinner at Clarke Cooke House, which brought our community together in true Newport style," said Jephtha Tausig, Vice President of the 12 Metre Americas Fleet. "Their partnership helped us celebrate not only the sailors, but also the heritage that makes this class so special."
"Nimbus Boats played an important role this year by providing official spectator and media vessels," Tausig added. "Thanks to their support, fans and press were able to experience these races up close — an essential part of sharing the excitement of 12 Metre sailing."
Event Highlights
Dates: Friday-Sunday, September 19-21, 2025
Venue: Rhode Island Sound, hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club with the 12 Metre Americas Fleet
Who Raced: Multi-generational teams—students through octogenarians—competing on impeccably maintained 12 Metres
Notable Entries: Crews included Oakcliff Sailing youth sailors aboard Courageous
Why It Mattered: Yachts that once defined an era of the America's Cup proved competitive today through craftsmanship, optimization, and extraordinary crew work
Special Gathering: Annual 12 Metre Fleet Dinner was presented by Citizens Private Bank at the Clarke Cooke House.
Registration, entries, and official results are available on YachtScoring.