Marblehead to Halifax Race 2021 announcement
by J/Boats 16 Nov 2020 12:13 PST
Racecourse action during the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race © Images courtesy of Craig Davis
Skipper John "Drew" Plominski is hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice. Plominski, whose boat was destroyed by lightning two years ago, was first in line to register for the 39th biennial Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean race to take place this coming summer.
"We're thrilled to see Drew back for another try," said Richard Hinterhoeller, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron co-race director. Registration is now open for 2021, and we are expecting a robust fleet to compete."
Plominski's 30-foot vessel, named Perseverance, was just about ready for the 2019 edition. Along with his wife and three friends, he planned to compete in the 363-mile biennial race to Nova Scotia in 2019.
The South Boston resident left his boat moored at the Columbia Yacht Club the night before the big race and was at his house, just a couple of blocks away, when he heard the loud noise that sounded like a boom and a crack, he said.
"It was nuts," Plominski remarked at the time, as he went down to inspect his boat. "All the electronics were completely fried," he said. As a result, it forced him to withdraw from the 2019 race.
His new boat is a J/40 named ARTEMISIA. He competed in the 2020 Beringer Cup race from Marblehead to Provincetown, MA. A good tune-up for the 363-mile race to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Marblehead-to-Halifax started in 1905 and has been held every other year, except during wartime. Called the "Grand Daddy of ocean races," it's the premier New England coast sailing event.
The 2021 Notice of Race has been posted on the Marblehead to Halifax website at www.marbleheadtohalifax.com. According to BYC co-race director Karen Tenenbaum, "we think there is a lot of pent-up demand and sailors are anxious to get back on the water."
The race is co-sponsored by the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron of Halifax. More Marblehead to Halifax Race sailing information here.