New record for Marblehead to Halifax

Published on July 10th, 2017

Halifax, Nova Scotia (July 10, 2017) – A new elapsed time record was set for the 363 nm Marblehead to Halifax Race, established by the Mills 68 Prospector when they finished today at 18:28:50. Following the start yesterday in Marblehead, MA, Prospector completed the course in 28:28:50, beating the old record by 2:18:02.

Prospector, built in 2008 at New England Boatworks, breaks the 2011 record held by Bella Pita, also a US boat. Prospector’s owners, Paul McDowell, David Siwicki and Larry Landry were on board for the race, speaking enthusiastically about the sailing conditions they encountered. “It’s amazing to be on boat that can go this fast,” Landry said. “Prospector is one of the best monohulls in the world.”

McDowell said the team hadn’t registered for the race with the idea of challenging the record. But he said once they looked at the predictions for weather and their best track, they knew there was a chance. “We didn’t talk about it on board so I didn’t know until we crossed the finish line this evening that we had broken the record.” McDowell said the sailing conditions starting out in Marblehead were beautiful and they “couldn’t have been better” as the race progressed.

Prospector’s crew gathered for a group photo at the end of their record breaking race.

Landry says the team plans to take Prospector to the Pacific next year and participate in the Transpac and the Sydney to Hobart Race.

Thirteen of the boats in the race are Canadian, most from the Halifax area. By evening, Airborne IV and skipper Bill Greenwood from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron was in the lead of the Performance Handicap Racing division.

Many of the boats are expected to arrive in Halifax by tomorrow.

Race details – Entry list – Results – Tracker