Biggest regatta in a decade

The 2023 Chester Race Week kicks off its biggest regatta in a decade with racing on August 16-19 in Chester, Nova Scotia. Billed as the largest fixed keel regatta in Eastern Canada, Chester Race Week will host over 1,200 sailors from Ontario, PEI, Newfoundland, Bermuda and the U.S. who descend on the small scenic coastal town for spectacular competition on the water combined with an unrivaled social scene off the water.

Highlights of this year’s event:
• The wildly popular Bluenose Fleet, with 32 competitor boats. The history of the Bluenose Class sloop dates to 1946 when naval architect William J. Roué designed the wooden One Design. These days modifications and improvements in construction of the Bluenose reflects the popularity and demand of a quickly evolving race fleet.
• The One Design course, sailing windward leeward. Back again will be the International One Design Fleet, the Farr 30 Fleet, and the Sonar Fleet.
• The Inshore Course, sailing up to two races per day. The course length will depend on the conditions of the day. Within the PHRF-NS Inshore Racing Course, the Race Committee will set the handicap split for each fleet.
• The Distance Course, sailing up to two races per day. The course length will depend on the conditions of the day. This course is open to PHRF-NS boats carrying a spinnaker. The Race Committee will set the handicap split for each fleet.
• The beautiful Classics (aka the Chester postcard), sailing a Pursuit Style of race

“Our strong registration comes with a combination of returning skippers and new skippers, which speaks to the resiliency of the event,” said Principal Race Officer, Daniel Conrod. “We are proud to put an average of ten boats, with tight handicap bands on the start line for our PHRF fleets, something you don’t get to see every day.”

Also new for this year, the event is integrating Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) scoring within the existing distance fleets as an alternative scoring system for some participants.

Race Officers heading up the event for 2023 is Principal Race Officer (PRO) Daniel Conrod and Race Officers Peter Van Muyden, John Abel, Luke Porter, Pat Nelder, Tom Clarke, and Trish Finlay, accompanied by Chief Judge Katie Nicoll. The event is sailed out of the Village of Chester on Mahone Bay located approximately one hour’s drive southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Details: www.chesterraceweek.com