Chester Race Week: Fog and restrictions don’t stop the action

September 9, 2021

tight racing in PHRF 1

All Photos by Tracey Wallace

Helly Hansen Chester Race Week wrapped up for 2021 with fewer boats, more restrictions thanks to COVID-19, and some fog each day, but overall the event was four days of success for racers and organizers.

Even with border restrictions et cetera, the showing was impressive.  One-hundred and seven keel boats registered for the races, down by about 10 per cent from previous years. But some fleets, such as the Bluenose, had a record number of boats registered (25!). And there were 12 fleets as opposed to the usual 15.

25 Bluenose one-designs registered!

“We can’t actually believe we had such a great Race Week,” Pat Nelder is the on-water chair for Helly Hansen Chester Race Week says. “We had 900 competitors and race committee members on beautiful Mahone Bay throughout the four days.”

Although the Chester Yacht Club clubhouse was closed to the public, the licensed grounds were open to 250 guests each day. Moored boats could also enjoy the live music each night. Nova Scotia’s Bluenose II and the Canadian Navy’s HMCS Oriole sailed through the fleets on Day 1 of the event, making the day memorable for racers, as well as guests who took part on local charter boats.

“I am thankful that we pulled it off,” “I’ve learned a lot about virtual events since the majority of our prize giving and openings, awards, and prize ceremonies, as well as our protest committee sessions were virtual. “I’ve learned that the competitors can do most of their entrance paperwork and find out what is happening online and were thrilled to be back in Chester live and competing in some sometimes foggy but always fun conditions, : Nelder says. “I thank everyone for their patience and good humour during all four days. I guess it’s time to think about next year!”

Here are the overall winners:

Bluenose (One-Design-25 Boats)

 Bluenose Winner Geronimo

Geronimo, Bluenose, Karl Mitchell, Lunenburg, NS Privateer, Bluenose, Connor Mraz, Brooklyn, NS Vera, Bluenose, Chris Maltzahn, Chester, NS

Distance 1 (PHRF-ToT- 11 boats)

Chaos, Farr 395, Mark Gosine, Halifax, NSBlue Jay III, J 133, Matt Stokes, Canmore, AL Brilliance, J 120, Richard Calder, Dartmouth, NS

Distance 2 (PHRF-ToT -10 boats)

Young Blood, J 100, Larry Creaser, Halifax, NS DogParty, J 100, Terry McKenna, Charlottetown, PEI Poohsticks, J 92, Colin Mann, Second Peninsula, NS

Distance 3, (PHRF-ToT -5 boats)

Scotch Mist IV, J 29 Chris MacDonald, Halifax, NS Painkiller, J 29, Paul Fillbee-Dexter, Halifax, NS Paradigm Shift, J 29, Don Williams, Halifax, NS

Distance 4, (PHRF-ToT -15 boats)

Good Friday, C&C 32, Philip Burchinshaw, Bedford, NS Auster, Roue 20, Robert Merchant, Halifax, NS King of Normandy, C&C 29 mk3, Francis Guitton, Halifax, NS

Inshore 1 (PFRF-ToT 14 boats)

Apre Ski, Laser 28, Tony Thompson, Bedford, NS Foxy Lady, Chaser 29, Bob Cragg, Chester, NS Dark Water, C&C 33, Donald K. Walker, Dartmouth, NS

Inshore C&C 99 (PHRF-ToT- 4 boats)

 Agent 99

Agent 99, C&C 99, Rob Crutcher, Bedford, NS Equinox 99,C&C 99, Rod Stright, Halifax, NS Showgirl2, C&C 99, Drew Bethune, Halifax, NS

Inshore J 105 (PHRF-ToT 5 boats)

McMac, J 105, Sean McDermott, Rory MacDonald, Dartmouth, NS Mojo, J 105, James Mosher, Lunenburg, NS VTack, J 105, John Sapp, Halifax, NS

IOD (6 boats)

International One-designs

Squall, IOD, Peter Wickwire, Halifax, NS Bella, IOD, Evan Petley-Jones, James Mason, Chester, NS Piper, IOD, Shawn Mulrooney, Chester Basin, NS

Farr 30 (One design – 7 boats)

One More Time, Farr 30 Rob Gale, Halifax, NS

Yardsail, Farr 30, Roby Douglas, Boutilier’s Point, NS Matador, Farr 30, Gregory Blunden, Halifax, NS

Sonar (One design –5 boats)

PING, Sonar, Andreas Josenhans, Lunenburg, NS Barbarian, Sonar, Rob Barbara, Halifax, NS Scamp, Sonar, Alexander Ritchie, Dartmouth, NS

For all the race results go to www.chesterraceweek.com .