The 11th Hour Racing Team is hosting a Victory Party this Friday, Aug. 4, and you are invited!

It’s the first time the team will return to its hometown of Newport since their historic victory on June 29, when they became the first American team to win The Ocean Race, a 37,500 nautical mile, around-the-world race which started in Alicante, Spain, on Jan. 15.

Dominant in the last three legs prior to the final trek from The Hague to Genoa, as well as in the tie-breaking in-port race series, they seemed unstoppable — until they were t-boned at the start of the final leg by another competitor, sustaining significant damage and sending both teams limping back to port in The Hague.

In a remarkable show of fortitude, they repaired the boat in three days and made it to Genoa in time to win the final in-port race (and the in-port series.) En route they learned that their redress points, coupled with the lackluster performance in the final leg by their closest competitor, earned them the overall win.

The party will be held at the Great Friends Meeting House at 21 Farewell St. in Newport, beginning at 5 p.m. Entertainment will include live music, food trucks, an on-stage Q&A with winning sailors Charlie Enright (USA), Jack Bouttell (AUS/GBR), Francesca Clapcich (ITA), and Media Crew Member Amory Ross (USA), and the opportunity to take a selfie with the one and only Ocean Race Trophy.

“Winning this race has been such an achievement for the entire team,” said skipper Charlie Enright, a Bristol native and Barrington resident. “We went through the first half of the race not winning a leg and then, as I’m sure this community remembers, we won Leg 4 into our hometown of Newport. This was a turning point for us in the race and the momentum stayed with us right through to the final victory.

“We can’t wait to celebrate with our local friends, fans and supporters. This community and this network has helped power our team for the better part of a decade, so we hope everyone will turn out and enjoy the moment.”