Spookie takes lead in Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race

Marblehead, MA (July 6, 2015) – An American boat is building a lead in the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race. “Spookie” is a 40-foot Carkeek HP 40 owned by Steve and Heidi Benjamin of Norwalk, Connecticut. The team sails out of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. A group of six or seven other competitors are about 20 nautical miles behind this evening, including the first Canadian boat, Helm’s Deep, a Soto 40 owned by Mike Sutton of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

But the end of the day has been marked by very light winds on the race course. And many competitors are slowed down to 5 knots or less. The sailors will be trying to find the techniques to make headway in light air conditions in the hours ahead.

Race Director Richard Hinterhoeller has been watching the progress of the race carefully. “The pre-race forecast had been that the boats would have a nice wind for the first 15-18 hours, followed by 15-18 hours of light and variable winds. The large differences in speed from one position report to the next indicate that these are the conditions they are seeing.”

Hinterhoeller expects the boats to pick up speed on Tuesday. “The forecast I’m looking at suggests that around noon tomorrow the fleet will see a moderate southwest wind develop. That will get the fleet moving again.”

One boat has retired from the race due to electrical problems. “Temptress” of East Greenwich, Rhode Island is heading for port in Maine after not being able to recharge batteries on board.

Race details – Tracker

Report by Kathy Large.