John Hele, David Leach, and American skipper Doug Newhouse secured championship honours across three competitive fleets as the 2026 Bermuda Keelboat Regatta drew to a close in the Great Sound.
Staged in brisk autumn breezes on the waters off Hamilton, the multi-class showcase delivered sharp tactical racing across the Etchells, RS21, and FarEast28R divisions.
In the Etchells fleet, John Hele steered Renegade to a commanding series triumph, relying on relentless front-running form across all six races. Hele logged three race wins and three runner-up finishes to close out the regatta with an unbeatable net score of 9.0 points.
Olympian Paula Lewin mounted a spirited challenge aboard Trash, taking second place on 12.0 points. Paul Wright helmed Tiburon to third position on 21.0 points, edging out Aiden Young on Renegade 2 on countback after finishing level on scoreline. Tyler Simmons guided Critter to fifth with 37.0 points, while Cameron de St Croix rounded out the division aboard Avalanche on 42.0.
The RS21 fleet saw David Leach assert his authority over a compact three-race schedule. Leach opened with back-to-back victories before sealing overall honours with a third-place finish in race three, finishing top of the leaderboard with 5.0 points.
Sebastian Round produced a consistent series of results, culminating in a win in the final race to take second place on 7.0 points. Patrick Cooper claimed third with 8.0 points after posting two runner-up finishes, while Richard Neame finished fourth on 11.0.
In the FarEast28R class, visiting American skipper Doug Newhouse delivered a masterclass aboard his Imperial Poona Yacht Club entry. Dominating the nine-race slate, Newhouse chalked up seven victories and a second-place finish to seal a runaway victory with 9.0 net points.
Canada’s Andrew McCrae took second place for Oakville Yacht Squadron on 16.0 points, while Bermuda’s Somers Kempe was the top local finisher in third aboard his Royal Bermuda Yacht Club entry on 24.0 points.
Great Britain's David Maclean took fourth on 26.0 points, followed by Bermudians Kelsey Durham (44.0) and Hal Kempe (44.0) in fifth and sixth, with American Lance Ryley finishing seventh on 45.0.
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