Chester Race Week - Better weather makes for smoother sailing

Fog eventually burned off in a spectacular sunset to end a great day of racing in Chester. Ryan Cameron

This is what Yacht Racers do when waiting for wind. © Greg Nicoll

At Chester Race Week on the opening day, Wednesday, several of the 'Classic' boats had to withdraw for fear of breaking some very old and hard to replace equipment. Today, the whole fleet of 148 registered boats, in 12 classes, racing on three separate courses were on the starting lines. But, there was no wind. The boats loafed around the starting lines hoping for wind. The marker boats were out looking for wind, however the reports were always disappointing.

Andreas Josenhans Principal Race Officer shows his frustration while waiting for wind © Chester Race Week Organizing Authority

At about 3:00 pm there was enough wind to start two Bluenose class races on the Charlie course. Meanwhile the boats on the Bravo course were getting very frustrated because, just as gas is needed for car racing, you need wind for yacht racing. Elizabeth Shaw, Race Officer for Bravo, was having a very difficult time trying to sort out a course and a start. The faint puffs of wind would come and go and change direction. Finally about 3:30pm there was enough wind to start some Bravo class races including the beautiful Classic yachts.

Alpha Race Course Committee Boat trying to organize a start in very light airs © Chester Race Week Organizing Authority

Out on the Alpha course where the big boats sail, Andreas Josanhans, the Principal Race Officer, was also trying to start races and had to finally give up on the 'Distance Class'. Those big boats were not happy, but headed for the club. 'That is yacht racing' said one skipper… 'When it comes to wind it can be either a feast or a famine'.

To brighten things up the racers were treated to a group of seven belly dancers from the group 'Oasis' performing on the Club verandas at 6:00pm. Later in the evening the party and dance featured the popular 'Hopping Penguins' band rocking the Chester Yacht Club rafters until the wee hours.

Herald Photographer having too much fun on "Ry’n’Sun" © Greg Nicoll

Chester Race Week continues on Friday and Saturday with the sailors hoping for better wind for better racing.

Results for Thursday August 11, 2011 for Chester Race Week. Results for Bravo Courses were not available at press time.

Alpha Course 1

1st 'Climax' 1D35 Dartmouth Yacht Club Skipper:Reece/Comtois
2nd 'One More Time' Farr 30 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Rob Gale
3rd 'Third Wave' C&C 37 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Steve Davies

Alpha Course 2

1st 'Helm's Deep' Beneteau First 36.7 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Mike Sutton
2nd 'Poohsticks' J92 Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Colin Mann
3rd 'No Whoa' Beneteau First 36.7 Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Thom Lawrence

Bluenose

1st 'Wahoo' Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Carter McNeely
2nd 'Fish 'N' Chips' Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Christian Luthi
3rd 'Stinger' Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Don McAlpine

J/24

1st 'Slam in 29 Seconds' J24 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Dale Robinson
2nd 'Adrenaline Rush' J24 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Gregory Blunden
3rd 'BlackJack' J24 PChester Yacht Club Skipper:Kim Drisdelle

J/29

1st 'Scotch Mist IV' J29 Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Chris MacDonald
2nd 'Silver Woman' J29 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Andrew Childs
3rd 'Colmonell' J29 Bedford Basin Yacht Club Skipper:Scott/Matt Christie

The Latest Race Results are always available here:
http://www.chesterraceweek.com/scoring

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