125th Anniversary of Marblehead Race Week

The historic 125th Marblehead Race Week will take place July 24 through 27 in the waters off scenic Marblehead, Mass. The Corinthian Yacht Club, which started the event in 1889, will host this year’s Race Week, the longest-running small-boat regatta in the United States.

Consistent with past years, the breadth of boats competing is a timeline for the sport itself, from classic wooden International One Designs that first raced in 1939, to the new J/70 sport boats making their second Race Week appearance.

Throughout its storied history, Marblehead Race Week has consistently attracted many of the country’s best sailors. This year, hundreds of racers from as far as Dallas, Texas and Quebec, Canada will continue the tradition Corinthian started back in the late 1800s when it began as a venue for small-boat sailors during a time when the golden age of sailing was in full swing, but regattas were only for large, expensive yachts owned by the well-to-do.

“The Corinthian was founded in 1887 by a group of young men who wanted a club that would foster the growth of small-boat sailing, so our history and Race Week’s history are really one and the same,” said Corinthian Yacht Club Commodore Ken Adam. “Today, all three of Marblehead’s yacht clubs, Boston, Eastern and Corinthian, work together to make Race Week a pinnacle of the one-design racing season. The fact that we dedicate all these resources to sailing is truly indicative of Marblehead’s enduring passion for the sport.”

In 1997, Marblehead Race Week became part of the Sailing World NOOD circuit consisting of six events throughout the U.S. The partnership with professional, national regatta organizers, and sponsorship from companies such as Sperry Top-Sider, has helped Race Week maintain its status as a premier, competitive sailing event. Since teaming up with Sailing World, Marblehead consistently draws one of the largest numbers of entries on the NOOD circuit.

Details: http://www.sailingworld.com/nood-regattas/marblehead

Source: Christina Pandapas