2025 Annapolis to Newport Race – ORC 2, Dark Storm and Ken Comerford
by Bill Wagner & AYC Communications Committee 11 Dec 11:53 PST
Dark Storm © Annapolis Newport Race
The 2023 Annapolis-to-Newport Race was significant for Ken Comerford, an experienced offshore sailor with thousands of miles of ocean sailing experience.
Comerford led his J/121 Dark Storm to an ORC 2 victory, competing in one of the largest divisions with 16 boats. Dark Storm was the second boat to finish at Castle Hill Lighthouse, clocking an impressive elapsed time of 3 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 41 seconds. This earned them a strong class victory on corrected time, as Dark Storm surpassed Sonrisa, an XP 44 helmed by Jeffrey McCarron, by nearly an hour. Comerford felt immense satisfaction knowing his crew demonstrated exceptional skill, seamanship, resilience, and determination. The race proved challenging with extreme offshore conditions, making it a fantastic achievement just to complete the 475-nautical mile journey.
The 39th biennial Annapolis-to-Newport Race will be noted for the 31 of 60 entrants that withdrew instead of risking boat or crew safety. Many boats opted out while still in Chesapeake Bay, carefully assessing forecasts that indicated the fleet would encounter 20- to 30-knot winds and 10- to 12-foot seas upon entering the Atlantic Ocean. Surviving the brutal conditions imposed by nature during the first 24 hours at sea was a significant challenge. Comerford recalled how arduous the 12-mile transition from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay to Chesapeake Light was. “Exiting the bay was truly difficult, followed by a challenging section from the tunnel to the light,” Comerford shared after arriving safely at Newport Yachting Center. “The boat was taking on a lot of water, and everyone was working hard to pump it out.” Dark Storm featured six crew members who were skilled helmsmen, crucial during a nearly 30-hour beat against strong winds and rough seas. The J/121 had double-reefed sails and used a No. 4 genoa, facing maximum winds of 33 knots. “No one helmed for more than about an hour. When someone couldn’t go any longer, we switched them out,” Comerford explained.
While managing extreme conditions was essential, Comerford believes the actual race was won a day later when the entire fleet encountered calm winds. At that moment, the Dark Storm team had to make critical navigation decisions. “We had boats to the west and east, and we were anxious about our position in between,” he reflected. “We engaged in significant discussions: Should we head west or east? Ultimately, I insisted we focus on moving the boat forward as efficiently as possible. We made the middle ground work, got ahead of everyone, then caught a big shift allowing us to sail into Newport on a long reach.” Comerford was pleasantly surprised during the awards ceremony at Waites Wharf when he received the James Allsopp Seafarer Trophy, given for the best combined performance in the Annapolis-to-Newport and Newport-to-Bermuda Races. Dark Storm had achieved third place in Class 18 during the 2022 Newport-to-Bermuda Race. Comerford became emotional, reflecting on receiving the honor, renamed in Allsopp’s memory before the 2017 A2N edition.
Allsopp, who managed the North Sails loft in Annapolis for nearly three decades, was a formative mentor when Comerford first ventured into Annapolis’s sailboat racing scene. “Jimmy played an incredibly significant role in my life, so winning the award named after him meant a lot,” Comerford shared. “Jim excelled in promoting the sport, and I was fortunate to benefit from his guidance.” Comerford relocated to Annapolis in 1988, working as a salesman for Salomon Skis. He quickly grew passionate about sailing, dedicating time to crew for accomplished skippers like Glenn Robbins, Steve Hiltabidle, and Pen Alexander. He actively participated in the Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Series and learned Laser sailing during the Tuesday Evening Series at the Severn Sailing Association. “I was sailing continuously in my initial years in Annapolis, realizing I truly loved the lifestyle and community,” Comerford stated. He joined the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake in 1992, embracing extensive cruising. His entry into offshore sailing came through boat deliveries with mentor Dave Dunigan. “Dave and I logged countless ocean miles together, teaching me much about boat preparation, operation, and upkeep,” he noted. In 1996, he purchased a Cal 40 called Phantom, renovating the classic vessel for the 2000 Newport-to-Bermuda Race. His first Annapolis-to-Newport Race as an owner was aboard a Beneteau 40.7 named Moon Racer. Comerford continued to race a Beneteau 36.7 (Jubilee), Beneteau 10R (Moon Racer), and J/120 and J/111 (both Moneypenny) before acquiring Dark Storm.
From 2002 to 2007, Comerford worked for Annapolis Yacht Sales before purchasing J/Boats Chesapeake from Paul Mikulski in 2007, establishing North Point Yacht Sales. He regularly raced boats from the brands he represented, including Beneteau and J/Boats. Coastal racing has become a passion for Comerford, whose first Annapolis-to-Newport Race was as a crew member for skipper Rick Born aboard his J/35 Windborn. A memorable experience was when he crewed Y2K, a Swan 68 owned by Charles Engh, which won the 2003 A2N overall. Over the years, Comerford has completed the Annapolis-to-Newport Race six times—four as a crew member and twice as the owner of his boat. “Annapolis-to-Newport is a remarkable race, showcasing every aspect of sailing. Exiting the Chesapeake Bay is crucial and critical decisions must be made offshore,” Comerford remarked. “This race is perfect for introducing sailors to coastal racing. You experience the thrill of ocean sailing while remaining relatively safe and within reach of the Coast Guard or a port.”
A2N links two historic East Coast seaports, and Comerford enjoys welcoming out-of-town participants to Annapolis before the race and spending quality time in Newport after finishing. “We adore Newport nearly as much as Annapolis. We always visit the Black Pearl for clam chowder and the Candy Store for crew dinners,” he said. “I love strolling through Newport Shipyard, admiring the various boats. We ride bikes around the island and enjoy the beach. It’s an incredible city to explore.” A highlight for Comerford is sharing his love of ocean racing with his two sons, Kyle and Willy, who have both adopted the same passion. Ken and his wife Jennifer introduced their sons to large boat sailing on the Chesapeake, where they each became skilled sailors. Kyle was the offshore sailing team skipper at SUNY Maritime, while Willy participated in the offshore team at College of Charleston. “Kyle and Willy share our family’s passion for sailing and being on the water,” Ken Comerford expressed. “Their involvement is immensely rewarding. It’s been wonderful having the kids racing alongside us.” Willy was part of the winning class crew for the 2023 Annapolis-to-Newport Race and hopes to join Dark Storm again for the 2025 race. At 25, he has been offshore racing with his father for 15 years and says he “fell in love with the entire scene.” “My favorite aspect of being offshore is disconnecting from society. I cherish the tranquility and peace while sailing the ocean and enjoy the camaraderie that develops among the crew as we strive for maximum performance,” Willy said. “One of my dad’s strengths is assembling a team with great chemistry; he invests significant time and energy into choosing great people to sail with. He has a talent for forming an excellent crew.”
Willy praised his father for being meticulous about preparation before any offshore race. “The program requires a significant amount of foresight. It begins with the boat—having the right systems and equipment is key to achieving success,” he explained. Ken Comerford finds crew easily since those who have sailed with him in the past are eager to do so again due to his approach to leadership. “My dad is always relaxed; nothing disturbs him, even in intense moments. He’s calm, composed, and values good communication,” Willy said. Paul Luis is one of the most trusted crew members Ken can count on. Their sailing journey began aboard Marty Roesch’s J/111 Velocity, and they have since become close friends. Luis served as navigator for Dark Storm during the 2023 A2N and hopes to reprise that role in the future. He has participated in six offshore races on Comerford’s boats and noted that Ken’s demeanor makes it a pleasant experience. “Kenny trusts the crew to navigate the boat, empowering us significantly,” Luis said. “Another factor that contributes to his effectiveness as an offshore owner is his level-headedness and ability to make prudent decisions.” Luis affirmed that selecting the right people for ocean racing is crucial since the crew is confined to a small vessel for several days, often in high-pressure situations. “Ken and Jen excel at forming a strong crew, as chemistry is vital to them,” Luis mentioned. “Plus, we always eat well offshore, which boosts morale.”
Comerford is actively planning and preparing for the 40th Annapolis-to-Newport Race and looks forward to defending his class title. Ocean racing is a passion for the long-time Annapolis Yacht Club member, who finds “something magical about ocean racing. It provides a unique escape, allowing you to disconnect from life. It’s simply about getting on the water with your boat and crew while having a blast,” Comerford shared. He emphasized that reliable crew members are essential for success in offshore racing, also offering some advice for skippers considering the Annapolis-to-Newport Race.
“After gaining more offshore racing experience, you begin to recognize the crucial elements that contribute to a successful race. Proper boat preparation, a skilled navigator, and a solid strategy are all important. Having a competent crew that works well together is vital,” he stated. “It encompasses everything needed for distance racing. If you have all the foundational elements in place, you’re setting yourself up for success.”
Watch the interview here:
