NEWPORT – U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, sailing a historic vessel commissioned by his grandfather, finished second in his class Sunday in the first half of the New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

The “S” Class vessel – an Osprey from the famed Herreshoff Mfg. Co. of Bristol, now the Herreshoff Marine Museum – was co-skippered by Whitehouse and Newport residents Dyer Jones and Michael McCaffrey.

It was one of “many beautifully restored and historic boats” to take part in last weekend’s two-day Classics Regatta, organizers said. The event – the sixth in a biennial series – included a 100th birthday celebration for Olin J. Stephens, whom Race Week organizers described as “the most successful yacht designer of the 20th Century.”

The weekend was “simply amazing, seeing all the boats here that have been restored to their original form, most to diamond-perfect perfection,” said Bill Doyle of Newport, who sailed with Jed Pearsall on the 6-meter Clarity, according to RegattaNews.com. “And to have Olin Stephens walk among us – I’m just in awe. … It’s like getting to meet Picasso.”

First place in the S Class last weekend went to Paul Del Nero of Newport, and his Vindex. The 6-meter victory went to fellow Newporter Joe Loughborough and his yacht Belle.

The second half of Race Week at Newport – taking place today through Sunday, July 27 – will feature up to 200 modern racing vessels in three design classes: the NYYC Swan 42s, J/109s and Melges 32s.

The event is part of the 2008 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series; it also will serve as the J/105 and J/122 East Coast Championships and the Beneteau First 36.7 Northeast Championship. It follows last month’s 154th annual NYYC Regatta, also in Newport, which drew 112 vessels of all ages. (READ MORE)

Additional information about the New York Yacht Club and its Race Week in Newport, presented by Rolex, is available at www.NYYC.org. Additional event information can be found at www.RegattaNews.com.