HSR Regatta
The Haustblót
Shorthanded Regatta
The only regatta on Long Island Sound built specifically for shorthanded sailors — singlehanded and doublehanded, racing together, on their own terms.
The HSR is a one-day distance race held each September out of Sea Cliff Yacht Club. The course is designed not just to test speed, but to demand real shorthanded seamanship: multiple sail changes, varied points of sail, and the kind of problem-solving you can't practice with a full crew. After racing, everyone comes ashore for a BBQ, some beers, and the conversation that's actually the point of doing this.
DESIGNED TO TEST ENDURANCE, SAIL HANDLING, AND SEAMANSHIP
More than point-to-point
Courses are set specifically to create opportunities for sail changes, different points of sail, and navigational decisions. The skills tested here are the ones that matter offshore.
NEXT RACE
September 19, 2026
HOST CLUB
Sea Cliff Yacht Club
STARTING AREA
Matinecock Point, Glen Cove
COURSE
10-60 miles, based on conditions
CLASSES
Solo, Doublehanded, PlusOne
THE NAME
A Norse tradition.
Haustblót is a Norse and Viking observance tied to the autumnal equinox — a time to mark the transition of seasons, honor the harvest, acknowledge what's been accomplished, and set intentions for what comes next.
The regatta takes its name and its spirit from that familiar tradition. Late September on Long Island Sound is near the end of the season. It's the right moment to race hard, talk honestly about the sailing year, and think about what you're going to take on next.
"Haustblót Shorthanded Regatta aligns with this tradition by fostering purposeful, local on-the-water competition and the camaraderie of gathering ashore to share our craft and talk about our sailing goals."
— Inaugural Notice of Race, 2025
ELIGIBILITY
Who can race.
— The HSR is open to any boat with a current ORC or YRALIS PHRF certificate. If you're already racing on the Sound, you likely already qualify.
— Doublehanded certificates are used for both the solo and doublehanded classes. Fully-crewed certificates apply to PlusOne entries.
— No pre-registration is required to be eligible for the Series Trophy — just enter, start, and race.
SOLO
One person. One boat.
Wind vanes and autopilots permitted. PFD required on deck at all times.
DOUBLEHANDED
Two sailors. Full racing.
Take the DH skills you’ve developed over the season and execute.
PLUSONE
A little extra crew.
Crew limit based on LOA. Not fully crewed. And not solo/DH. Still full racing.
PAST CONDITIONS, COURSES, AND RESULTS
Neptune’s gauntlet—and who sailed it best.
2025
Conditions were fierce at the start—20-25 knots from the east, and mild for late September. The HRRR called for breeze to diminish over the day and basically die in the afternoon. These conditions presented an opportunity for the OA to give competitors a truly physically and mentally demanding course. The inaugural race was sailed in three classes: PHRF singlehanded, ORC doublehanded, and PHRF PlusOne.
From the start off Matinecock Point, racers were sent on a screaming reach across the Sound to R36 (Blue Fish Shoals), then east to G13 (Eaton’s Neck), directly upwind in 18-22 knots with a corresponding wave state. At Eaton’s Neck, racers turned around, heading west—and directly downwind—to Can One (Execution Rocks). The upwind and downwind legs created tactical separation in the fleets, exactly what the OA wanted. From Can One, boats headed towards the finish off the Glen Cove Breakwater, in a dying easterly. The conditions at the finish for most boats couldn’t have any more different compared to the start.
A full day of reaching, tacking, and gybing was finished with a BBQ and kegger on the Sea Cliff dock with a spectacular sunset over Sands Point.
CLASS WINNERS
PHRF Singlehanded: Josh Reisberg, Abilyn (J/120)
ORC Doublehanded: Mike Kohler, Eventyr (J/99)
PHRF PlusOne: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Fortissimo (IC37)
2026
Stay tuned! The 2nd annual HSR is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2026. Register at link above.