J/122 DIREWOLF at the 2025 Block Island Race Week. Photo © Steve Cloutier / BlockIsland Steve.
It’s been a jam-packed start to the summer sailing season for UK Sailmakers Northeast, with back-to-back East Coast regattas delivering strong results for teams powered by UK Sailmakers. From the tactical turns of Block Island to the offshore endurance test of the Annapolis to Newport Race, our customers are off to a strong start—and things are only picking up from here.
Block Island Race Week: Summer Tradition, Serious Racing
Held June 22–27, Block Island Race Week continues to be a highlight of the East Coast calendar. Hosted by Storm Trysail Club since 1965, this iconic biennial event draws boats from across the country for a full week of buoy racing, distance courses, and the legendary Around the Island Race—all set against the stunning backdrop of Block Island.
But the action isn’t just on the water. With nightly dockside gatherings and decades of tradition, this regatta delivers serious competition with a healthy dose of fun. UK Sailmakers Northeast is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s event and to support so many of the teams competing.
UK Sailmakers Northeast is well represented at the 2025 Block Island Race Week. Photos © Steve Cloutier / BlockIsland Steve.
Offshore Success in the Annapolis to Newport Race
The 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race marked the 40th edition of one of the East Coast’s most celebrated offshore races—and UK Sailmakers customers made their mark.
In the ORC Performance Cruiser 1 division, BLUE SKIES, an Alden Skye 50 skippered by William Gunther, took first place with a commanding lead—finishing over four hours ahead of the next boat.
“I was talking to Butch [Ulmer], and he suggested it would be a good race for this boat—and boy was he right,” said Gunther. “To win our class in our first time doing this great race is very exciting.”
Meanwhile, in the ORC Double Handed division, THIN MAN, a J/99 co-skippered by Todd Aven and Todd Diffee, delivered a strong third place finish after four and a half days of light-air sailing. Their persistence and well-matched teamwork paid off in a race that tested patience and precision.
Both boats carried full UK Sailmakers Northeast inventories designed for performance and reliability across a wide range of conditions.
Left: Alden Skye 50, BLUE SKIES, at the 2025 Annapolis to Newport race. Photo © Willy Keyworth. Right: Onboard photo from J/99 THIN MAN. Photo © Todd Aven.
These major East Coast regattas are only the beginning. Out West, things are heating up with the 2025 Transpac set to get underway next week. UK Sailmakers customers will once again be on the line for this legendary race from Los Angeles to Honolulu—one of the most anticipated offshore events of the season.
We’ll be cheering them on and sharing updates as the summer unfolds.
