Baltic gathering

Baltic Yachts will host their annual regatta in Newport, RI later this month

In less than two weeks, a picturesque fleet of Baltic yachts will gather in Newport, R.I. for what has become a grand summer tradition. The Baltic Yachts Regatta, scheduled for 27-28 July, is hosted by Baltic Yachts at the Newport Yachting Center. Previously held in Nantucket, Mass., the Baltic Yachts Regatta will make its Newport debut and also commemorate the relocation of the U.S. offices of Baltic Yachts to Newport.

Baltic owners and sailors from six states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia) are enthusiastically anticipating the regatta, to be raced on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, the same waters that once hosted the America's Cup. "I love sailing and racing and to do the two together in Newport is an opportunity to have a lot of fun," said Rob Burt, owner of the Baltic 43 Merlin. "It's going to be a fun weekend and a chance to meet other Baltic owners. We have a good group of people who want to go out and have a good time. If we do well, then that's a bonus."

Friendly competition is a bonus for Baltic owners who are drawn to sailing aboard a classic beauty. "I thoroughly enjoy the boat and the construction is beautiful," said Tom Selldorff. "Our crew is a mixture of young and old and some of the crew are Baltic owners from the West Coast. We love to participate in regattas and this is a good opportunity. It's one of two regattas we're doing this year."

Eleven of these distinct and luxurious ocean-going boats will be moored at the Newport Yachting Center. On Saturday night the fleet will celebrate at a
private party at Clingstone, the 'house on the rocks' made famous during the heyday of America's Cup racing in Newport. Aalto crystal vases will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place boats and the best-maintained yacht, during a New England Lobster Bake Crew Dinner on Sunday evening.

Entries sorted by State.

CONNECTICUT
FURY, Baltic 48, Ray Gincavage, Branford, Conn.
SAPPHIRE SEAS, Baltic 38, Robert Avery, New Canaan, Conn.

MASSACHUSETTS
BULLY, Baltic 50, Brian McSweeney, Marion, Mass.
SANTARELLA 4, Baltic 35, James P. Scalise, Pittsfield, Mass.
KINSHIP, Baltic 52, Tom Selldorff, Weston, Mass.

NEW YORK
MUTINY, Baltic 43, T. Gibb Kane, Rye, N.Y.

NEW JERSEY
MERLIN, Baltic 43, Robert Burt, Princeton, N.J.

RHODE ISLAND
ULTRA VIOLET, Baltic 37, Matt Rosenberg, East Greenwich, R.I.
KESTREL, Baltic 38, Tom Heffernan, Tiverton, R.I.
FIRST LIGHT, Baltic 55, Andre Laus, Barrington, R.I.

VIRGINIA
INCESSANT, Baltic 42, Paul Kaplan, Alexandria, Va.