KVH, proud to be named the Official Connectivity Sponsor for the 2022 Newport Bermuda Race, applauds race organizers for their efforts in registering the second largest fleet in the race’s history. Some 215 boats have registered for the race, which is co-hosted by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The race will depart from KVH’s home port of Newport, RI, on June 17.

A leading maritime VSAT provider, KVH sees an emerging trend in the use of VSAT connectivity on racing sailboats, with KVH Ku-band systems on many boats in this race fleet. Newport Bermuda Race organizers anticipate KVH-equipped boats transmitting (to Race Media) their onboard experiences as they near and cross the Gulf Stream.

“For years, racing sailboats made do with minimal communications at sea typically from L-band systems with slow and expensive data,” says Jim George, KVH VP Americas & Global Leisure. “Now, new systems like KVH’s award-winning TracPhone^® V30 are making it possible for sailboats to bring fast and affordable VSAT communications on board for all levels of racing.”

Key differentiators between L-band and Ku-band VSAT systems are data costs and speeds. KVH’s TracPhone V30 features affordable, unlimited data as fast as 6/2 Mbps (down/up) with unlimited plan changes and suspensions prorated monthly. Plus, single-cable installation, DC power, lightweight design (10.6 kg/23.4 lbs), and an ultra-compact (37 cm/14.5 inch) antenna and belowdecks unit make TracPhone V30 ideal for sailboats. By comparison, legacy L-band antennas typically feature restrictive contract terms and more expensive data with speeds less than 1 Mbps.

With satellite partner Intelsat, KVH is offering Newport Bermuda Race participants a 30% discount on the purchase of a TracPhone V30, plus free data for the month of June 2022. Numerous KVH-certified dealers are available for race registrants to coordinate the purchase and installation of their TracPhone V30 by June 1, 2022.

This iconic yachting race has been held since the early 1900s. KVH has enjoyed a long history with the Newport Bermuda Race, with the company’s founders and employees participating numerous times over the years.