NEWPORT, R.I.

Due for its seventh edition in 2011, the Ida Lewis Distance Race is now a classic on New England sailing calendars. The race, which starts Friday, August 19, features a 177nm and a 150nm race course over some of the most storied and beautiful sailing grounds in the world. With a spectacular start off Fort Adams in Narragansett Bay, the race includes turning marks at Castle Hill, Brenton Reef, Block Island, Montauk Point, Martha’s Vineyard and Buzzards Tower on its way to a signature champagne finish inside Newport Harbor off the historic Ida Lewis Yacht Club.

Classes are for IRC, PHRF (including Cruising Spinnaker and a Youth Challenge division), One Design and Double-Handed boats of 28 feet or longer. It is a qualifier for the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF); the Northern and Double-Handed Ocean Racing Trophies (IRC); and the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series.

For more information, contact Dirk Johnson, RaceChairman@ildistancerace.org, 401-965-9189, or go to www.ildistancerace.org, where the Notice of Race and online entry will soon be available.