Like clockwork at Chester Race Week

Chester, NS (August 15, 2019) – As if on cue, a threatening fog off Blandford rolled back and fresh winds picked up just as races started for Day 2 of Helly Hansen Chester Race Week 2019 on Mahone Bay on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia.

“Sailing conditions today were great with those reliable Mahone Bay winds picking up to 10+ knots after lunch, just like clockwork,” said Dan Conrod, principal race officer, Chester Race Week. “Today, skippers and crews had a chance to implement some of the lessons they learned yesterday and many saw the results of more focus and familiarity with the courses and weather conditions.”

Veteran sailor, sailmaker, and race officer Sandy MacMillan filled in for his former Olympic teammate, Andreas Josenhans, who usually delivers the “Morning After Coaching Seminars” that have been offered to skippers on the Chester Yacht Club (CYC) porch on days 2, 3, and 4 for years now.

After watching the fleets on Day 1, MacMillan today reminded skippers about the importance of teamwork and clear communication on board. He advised sailors to get familiar with the course and the other boats in their fleets well before the start, so they can keep their minds on sailing during the races.

“Lots of crews lose their focus because they’re not ready for the start and they’re trying to figure out timing, marks, and where the ropes are. That can ruin your performance,” MacMillan explained. “The key is to get familiar with all the elements that you can in advance, then work as a team and focus on the sailing for the best performance.”

Erin Norwood co-owns the J/29 Favourite Child and is one of the few female skippers this year. She only started taking the helm in recent years as her confidence grew. Now she leads an all-male crew sailing out of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax where she serves as Vice Commodore – Sailing. Norwood says gender doesn’t matter on board where it’s all about teamwork and communication.

“We have each others’ backs at all times. I’m open to suggestions, and in turn, my crew supports my decisions on the course. As a result, we communicate clearly and almost never argue, which makes for a really positive experience,” Norwood explains.

Norwood adds she hopes more women will take the helm during races.

“Sometimes women just need to be given the chance and to feel the support of their crew. It’s an amazing experience to drive a keelboat, to adapt to the conditions and to really focus on the job at hand. I recommend it to anyone. It’s a huge confidence boost.”

Racing is planned from August 14 to 17.

Event information – Race details – Results – Facebook

Day Two Results (Top Three):

Bluenose (One Design – 22 Boats)
1. Wahoo, Henry Demone , CAN – 4 -4 -1 -1 -3 -[11] -2 ; 15
2. Privateer, Connor Mraz , USA – [12] -3 -3 -2 -4 -4 -9 ; 25
3. Hackmatack, Nicholas Lewin , USA – 5 -6 -4 -[23] -1 -7 -4 ; 27

Classics (Pursuit – 8 Boats)
1. Seneca, David Creighton , CAN – 1 -1 ; 2
2. Virginia, John Wurts , USA – 2 -2 ; 4
3. Hayseed IV, Christopher Wurts , CAN – 3 -3 ; 6

Distance 1 (PHRF_ToT – 7 Boats)
1. Ramillies, David Wilson , CAN – 1 -2.5 -1 ; 4.5
2. Deviation, Stu McCrea , CAN – 6 -1 -2 ; 9
3. Climax, Nathan Reece , CAN – 3 -2.5 -5 ; 10.5

Distance 2 (PHRF_ToT – 11 Boats)
1. Young Blood, Larry Creaser , CAN – 1 -1 -1 ; 3
2. HELOC, Andrew Childs , CAN – 2 -6 -3 ; 11
3. DogParty, Terry McKenna , CAN – 5 -4 -2 ; 11

Distance 3 (PHRF_ToT – 9 Boats)
1. Poohsticks, Colin Mann , CAN – 1 -1 -2 ; 4
2. Scotch Mist IV, Chris MacDonald , CAN – 3 -2 -1 ; 6
3. PARADIGM SHIFT, Don Williams , CAN – 2 -3 -4 ; 9

Distance 4 (PHRF_ToT – 9 Boats)
1. Just Add Water, Jesleine Baker , CAN – 1 -4 -2 ; 7
2. Gersemi, Paul Bezanson , CAN – 7 -1 -1 ; 9
3. Highlander, Dan Pride , Can – 2 -7 -3 ; 12

Distance 5 (PHRF_ToT – 7 Boats)
1. Foxy Lady, Bob Cragg , CAN – 1 -2 -1 ; 4
2. Afterhours, Charles Walker , CAN – 2 -1 -2 ; 5
3. Roguewave, Elizabeth Whyte , CAN – 4 -3 -3 ; 10

Distance 6 (PHRF_ToT – 4 Boats)
1. sea breaker, bruce nunn , can – 1 -1 -1 ; 3
2. Nesbitt, Anthony Rosborough , CAN – 3 -2 -2 ; 7
3. To’Mater 3, Warren Webber , Canada – 2 -3 -3 ; 8

Inshore 1 – J105 (PHRF_ToT – 5 Boats)
1. McMac, Sean / Rory McDermott / MacDonald , CAN – 1 -1 -1 -1 ; 4
2. Buzz, Barry Eisener , CAN – 3 -4 -2 -2 ; 11
3. MOJO, James Mosher , CAN – 2 -3 -3 -3 ; 11

Inshore 2 – C&C 99 (PHRF_ToT – 5 Boats)
1. Agent 99, Rob Crutcher , CAN – 1 -1 -1 -1 ; 4
2. Equinox 99, Rod Stright , CAN – 2 -2 -2 -2 ; 8
3. Showgirl2, Drew Bethune , CAN – 3 -3 -3 -4 ; 13

Inshore 3 (PHRF_ToT – 7 Boats)
1. Head Games, Terry Schnare , CAN – 2 -1 -1 -1 ; 5
2. Painkiller, Jane Filbee , CAN – 1 -2 -2 -2 ; 7
3. Unlimited Data, Alan Chandler , CAN – 3 -3 -3 -3 ; 12

Inshore 4 (PHRF_ToT – 6 Boats)
1. Hoonigan, Ivan Fitch , CAN – 1 -1 -1 -1 ; 4
2. Cheap Thrill, Karen Fowler , CAN – 2 -2 -2 -2 ; 8
3. Waverunner, Steven Countway , CAN – 3 -3 -4 -3 ; 13

Sonar (One Design – 6 Boats)
1. Ping, Andreas Josenhans , Can – 2 -1 -[6] -2 -2 -1 -1 ; 9
2. Barbarian, Rob Barbara , CAN – 1 -[3] -1 -3 -1 -2 -2 ; 10
3. Echo, John Franklin , USA – 3 -2 -[4] -1 -3 -4 -3 ; 16

Farr 30 (One Design – 6 Boats)
1. One More Time, Rob Gale , Can – 1 -1 -1 -1 -[3] -2 -2 ; 8
2. YARDSAIL, Roby Douglas , CAN – 5 -[6] -2 -3 -1 -3 -1 ; 15
3. Matador, Gregory Blunden , CAN – [4] -4 -3 -2 -2 -1 -3 ; 15

Intenational One Design (One Design – 9 Boats)
1. Bella, Evan Petley-Jones , CAN – [4] -2 -1 -1 -2 -4 -3 ; 13
2. Squall, Peter Wickwire , CAN – 2 -[10] -10 -2 -1 -1 -1 ; 17
3. Enigma, Steve Bush , USA – [5] -4 -2 -3 -3 -3 -2 ; 17

Source: Michael Dunn