(Chester, Nova Scotia)- After three nearly perfect sunny days, sailors
brought out their foul weather gear for the fourth and final day of
racing at Helly Hansen Chester Race Week 2018. Thick fog, swells and
rains that varied from a sprinkling to torrential downpour didn’t dampen
enthusiasm at the many start lines.“It wouldn’t be Chester if we didn’t have these rainy days,” said Patricia Nelder, 2018 chair of on-water activities. “Despite some fog, the fleets were able to get in a few more races to finish the regatta.”
Throughout
the week, all four one-design fleets were extremely competitive, moving
as one through their courses. It takes an extra edge to lead a fleet
where all the boats are essentially identical. Doing exactly that in the
J/105 class was Sean McDermott and Rory MacDonald’s McMAC, winning the
class counting all bullets in five of six races. Counting virtually all
2nds was Jim Mosher’s MOJO to take the silver with 10 pts in 5 races.
And, rounding out the podium was Barry Eisner’s BUZZ with 13 pts.The Inshore 1 Class was simply dominated by an enormous J/Navy. Leading the sweep of the top five were all J/29s! Jane Filbee’s PAINKILLER marked the first time a woman skipper/ owner topped the class. Second was Chris MacDonald’s SCOTCH MIST IV (a previous regatta winner), third went to Don Williams’ PARADIGM SHIFT, fourth to Terry Schnare’s HEAD GAMES, and fifth was Scott Covey’s RUMBLEFISH.
Dominating all four Distance Classes were J/Crews! Winning Distance 1 Class was Stu McCrea’s J/120 DEVIATION. Another J/120, Rick Calder’s BRILLIANCE took fourth.
Andrew
Childs’ J/35 HELOC led a sweep of Distance 2 Class. Second was Larry
Creaser’s J/100 YOUNGBLOOD, third went to Rod Johnstone (yes, the
designer) and Gary Bennett’s J/35 J’AI TU. The balance of the top five
included Thane MacDonald’s J/35 J-HAWK in 4th and Peter Traves’ J/35
CRACKERJACK in 5th position.Distance 3 Class saw long-time J/92 veteran Colin Mann again wins his class on the famous POOHSTICKS. Then, in Distance 4 Class, Jesleine Baker’s J/30 JUST ADD WATER marked yet another win by a woman skipper/ owner; and at that, winning with all firsts as counters! Taking fourth was Jordan MacNeil’s J/30 FLUX.
Sailing Video highlights of each day-Day 1- https://www.facebook.com/ChesterRaceWeek/videos/2227312080837134/
Day 2- https://www.facebook.com/ChesterRaceWeek/videos/2793308284028926/
Day 3- https://www.facebook.com/ChesterRaceWeek/videos/1069576573211802/
Day 4- https://www.facebook.com/ChesterRaceWeek/videos/1517346938367338/
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