Registrations Brisk for 2021 Marblehead to Halifax
Jan 28, 2021
– photos from the 2019 edition – the race runs every two years all photos: Cate Brown.
With 27 boats registered in January, the fleet is growing for the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race this summer.
“This is a good number for January, “co-race director Karen Tenenbaum of the co-sponsoring Boston Yacht Club said. ‘We’re encouraged that 2021 will be a good year for The Halifax.”
One of the early boats to enter is Polaris, a dark blue Sydney 47, recently acquired by nine-time Newport Bermuda racer Will Passano. He says he and his crew of friends from Maryland had outgrown Carina, his well-prepared J/37 (second in class in 2016). He’ll sail the new boat with a crew of 10, up from eight on the J/37. “The biggest adjustment for our crew,” he said, “will be the bigger sails and faster speeds.”
Adding to the international flavor of the race is Black Pearl which is a Botin 56. It is a German yacht skippered by Stefan Jentzsch.
For the first time in its storied history, the MHOR committee hopes to start a single handed fleet. “Single Handed is growing more popular in racing circles,” said Richard Hinterhoeller of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, co-race director of the event. “We are hoping there will be enough interest and entries to add this class. “Competitors interested in the new single-handed competition are asked to contact registration@marbleheadtohalifax.com at their earliest convenience.”
Planning has been underway for the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean race to start July 11, 2021 at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor.
The 363-nautical mile Marblehead to Halifax is one of the oldest races on the eastern seaboard. It began 1905 and has continued every other year except during war time. It is cosponsored by the BYC and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax, NS.
“We are cautiously optimistic that the Covid-19 pandemic will be manageable by July to enable the race to continue as planned”
BYC Commodore Tom Mager said. BYC Commodore Tom Mager said.
