Considered Long Island's premier sailing race, the annual Around Long Island Regatta starts on a Thursday near the end of July just off Ellis Island in New York Harbor. The challenging harbor start and prevailing southerlies sets the boats tacking towards the Narrows and out into the Atlantic. The ocean leg parallels Long Island's south shore along Long Beach, Jones Beach, Fire Island, the Hamptons, and on to Montauk. Some boats choose the shortest distance hugging the shore while others opt for deeper water in search of better wind.
After rounding Montauk Point, sailors must judge wind, tides and current as they head northwest to Plum Gut, where they hope a favorable current will flush them into the Long Island Sound. The final westerly leg is all about reading wind shifts and working currents to their advantage along Long Island’s north shore or the southern shore of Connecticut. The race ends in beautiful Hempstead Harbor at the Glen Cove breakwater.
The weekend concludes with the ALIR Awards Ceremony and Beach Party hosted by the Sea Cliff Yacht Club on Sunday afternoon. Trophies are awarded for the first three finishers in each division, with many additional awards for various categories. There is always music, food and drink, a welcoming Yacht Club crowd, and great sailing tales – some of which might even be true!