Below is a summary of rules (including length limits, crew limits, stability, and permitted equipment) for the five divisions in the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race: St. David’s Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Cruiser, Double-Handed, and Open.  Changes from the 2008 race are indicated. 

NOTE: These are highlights. The full rules will appear in the Notice of Race.

St. David’s Lighthouse Division

• LOA upper limit = 100 feet (30.48 meters) (slightly longer than 2008’s 30 meters)
• Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) “L” must be greater than 27.5 feet (8.38 meters)
• Upper speed limit = 400 seconds per mile ORR GPH (general purpose handicap) 
• No lower speed limit
• Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) #51 and #52 are not waived
• ORR Stability Index = 115 minimum
• Limited number of professionals

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division

• LOA upper limit = 100 feet (30.48 meters) (slightly longer than 2008’s 30 meters)
• ORR “L” must be greater than 27.5 feet (8.38 meters)
• Upper speed limit = 340 seconds per mile ORR GPH
• Lower speed limit = 580 seconds per mile ORR GPH (new)
• RRS #51 and #52 are not waived (new—in 2008 #51 was waived to allow water ballast)
• ORR Stability Index = 115 minimum
• No limit on number of professionals

Cruiser Division

• LOA upper limit = 85.3 feet (26.0 meters)
• ORR “L” must be greater than 27.5 feet (8.38 meters)
• Upper speed limit = 400 seconds per mile ORR GPH
• No lower speed limit
• RRS #52 is waived to allow autopilots and powered winches and furlers
• One cruising spinnaker allowed
• ORR Stability Index = 115 minimum
• Limited number of professionals

Double-Handed Division

• LOA upper limit = 65.6 feet (20.0 meters)
• ORR “L” must be greater than 27.5 feet (8.38 meters)
• Upper speed limit = 490 seconds per mile ORR GPH (sped up by 30 s/m)
• No lower speed limit
• RRS #51 and #52 are waived to allow water ballast, autopilots, and powered winches, powered furlers, and powered shifting of water ballast
• ORR Stability Index = 115 minimum or must meet Offshore
• Special Regulations (OSR) Appendix K if movable ballast (slight difference from last race)
• Formula to determine number of professionals

Open Division

• LOA upper limit = 100 feet (30.48 meters) (slightly longer than 2008’s 30 meters)
• ORR “L” must be greater than 27.5 feet (8.38 meters) No upper speed limit
• RRS #51 and #52 are waived to allow cant keels and water ballast; and powered winches, powered furlers, and powered shifting of cant keels and water ballast
• ORR Stability Index = 115 minimum or must meet OSR Appendix K if movable ballast (slight difference from last race)
• No limit on number of professionals

NOTE: These are highlights. The full rules will appear in the Notice of Race.