(Chester (Halifax), Nova Scotia)- This year's Chester Race Week that is
sailing from August 15th to 18th will again feature an enormous turn-out
of J's ranging from the classic J/22s, J/24s, J/27s, J/29s, J/30s,
J/35s and J/36 to the modern J/92s, J/109, J/120s, J/111s, J/42 and
J/44- a total of thirty J's in all, about 36% of the fleet of 92
handicap racers.Yacht racing has been a major summer sport in Chester for well over 150 years. Its roots were planted in the mid-19th century when the fishermen raced each other to markets in Halifax or New England. As sailors and fishermen have done forever, they loved to get together and talk shop. Sailing races for pleasure and bragging rights was inevitable. As the gatherings and races occurred more regularly, the Annual Fishermen’s Regatta was born. The regatta was a show case for locally built boats of different designs, as well as for sailing skills.
The
first documented regatta was in 1856. It is reported to have been
attended by 3,000 people who participated in a parade, amusements, land
races as well as the sea races. In 1858 a rowing race for ladies was
added and a dance took place at the Mulgrave Inn which had been hosting
guests from Europe, US and Canada since 1820. In 1860 the press reported
the regatta pleasures were “enhanced by a large party consisting of
150, accompanied by the city band, who arrived in the steamer ‘Neptune’
from Halifax”. In 1885 the two day regatta had boats from Mahone Bay,
Lunenburg as well as from the two Tancooks. The big excitement was a
circus which featured a hand cranked Ferris wheel on the parade ground.
According to the Lunenburg newspaper, the 1888 Annual Regatta attracted
2,000 spectators who were treated to “the closest and most exciting
match of its kind ever witnessed in the South Shore”.
After
Chester YC was established in 1902, it became the focal point for
racing. Charter member Ned Fader remembers, “Citizens donated prizes:
100 pounds of sugar, a barrel of flour, maybe a little cash. A boat crew
could get a wonderful view on life for a dollar ... best of ale, fifty
cents a gallon, good rum at one dollar a quart. They were all good
God-fearing people, but they did not let it spoil their lives too much.”
Later, as the renamed "Chester Race Week" evolved, the competition
between Chester yachts and those of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron
have become a great cause for celebration to gather together each
summer for some fun, frolic and spirited competition and sailing around
the gorgeous bays and islands off Nova Scotia.
So
far, the weather forecast of westerly winds 8-15 kts from Wednesday to
Saturday means the fleet may be treated to some good racing, if not some
crazy weather (often the norm in these parts with fog, thunderstorms,
rain, wind, hail and even lots of sun-- all in the same day)! Leading
the charge in the Alpha 1 Division are the two J/111s, BLAST (Mark
Surette from Royal Nova Scotia YS) and STAMPEDER (Dave Connolloy from
Chester YC). In the Alpha 2 Division are a trio of J/35s that include
SUMROO (Gary Sullivan from RKYC), J-HAWK (Thane MacDonald from Chester
YC) and WHISTLER'S AIR (Richard Oulton RKYC); as well as the J/36
VELOS-ITY (David Morgan from RKYC) and the famous J/92 POOHSTICKS (Colin
Mann from Lunenburg YC). In Bravo 1 Division are the J/29 HAKUNA
MATATA (J Wood from LYC) and the J/30 FLUX (Jordan MacNeil RNSYS). In
Bravo 2 Division are the dynamic duo of the J/30 GROOVIN (Greg Hammond)
and the J/22 CHEAP THRILL (Karen Fowler). In the Distance 1 Division
are a J/44 AKUBRA (Reg Goodday from RNSYS) and a triumvirate of J/120s
including BRILLIANCE (Richard Calder from RNSYS), GRAND CRU (Mike
Kennedy from host CYC) and BLACK PEARL (Ross Leighton from RNSYS). In
Distance 2 Division are the J/42 CASTANEA (Paul Conrod from RNSYS) and
the J/109 WISC (Paul Rafuse from RNSYS). Sailing the Cruiser 1 Division
is the J/27 INCORRIGIBLE skippered by Sam Lamey of Chester YC.Finally in the two J/One-Design divisions you have six J/29s sailing, including COLMONELL (Matt & Scott Christie), JONEFORTWO (Ron Switzer), PARADIGM SHIFT (Williams/ Matthews), SATISFACTION ( Jim Mason), SILVER WOMAN (Andrew Childs), SCOTCH MIST IV (Chris MacDonald). And there are four J/24s racing, including HIGH STRUNG (David Cobbett), OUT OF THE BLUE (John McSheffery), WAVE RUNNER and JUVENILE DELINQUENT (Ted Murphy). Sailing photo credits- Heather McGuire For more Chester Race Week sailing information
