Chester Race Week - Great conditions for Racing

6:04 PM Sat 13 Aug 2011 GMT

'Distance class hits the start line - 2011 Chester Race Week' Chester Race Week Organizing Authority Click Here to view large photo

,b.The participants in Chester Race Week were treated to superb yacht racing conditions in Mahone Bay today. All twelve classes got in a full afternoon of up to three races. The winds were light to start and so the committee boats moved the start lines to locations where the spotters told them to expect the winds. At about 12:30pm the breezes picked up and the races were able to start with ideal conditions.

Bella J heeled well over with the whole crew on the rail - 2011 Chester Race Week - Chester Race Week Organizing Authority Click Here to view large photo

However, late in the afternoon a heavy fog rolled in while some of the bigger boat classes were still on the water. The fog makes it difficult for the yachts to spot the marks.

Almost all of the larger boats have GPS systems which will keep them on course, but some may have had to rely on more conventional navigation methods of using compasses and charts to navigate through the fog. No one got lost. The sailors came ashore happy with the racing.

Bluenoses at the finish line - 2011 Chester Race Week - Chester Race Week Organizing Authority Click Here to view large photo

The Bluenose class match boat racing on the Charlie course was very competitive with twenty boats sailing three races and all vying for the honors today.

J29&rsquo;s tacking for position - 2011 Chester Race Week - Chester Race Week Organizing Authority Click Here to view large photo

Out on the Alpha course the fast J29 and J24 classes had great conditions to get the most out of there boats. The J24 'Slam in 29 Seconds' continued to show her stern to the other boats with comfortable wins today. Although the winds were moderate a few yachts reported some gear breaks and at least one boat blew out a spinnaker.

The partying at the Chester Yacht Club featured the 'Hopping Penguins' Band entertained the large crowd of sailors and visitors.

Racing continues at Chester Race week for the on Saturday, August 13th. The trophies will be awarded in a ceremony at the Club on Saturday evening followed by a wind up party featuring the band 'The Chess Club's funky sound.

The results for Chester Race Week for Friday, August 13th at press time:

Alpha 1
1st 'Climax' 1D35 Dartmouth Yacht Club Skipper:Reece/Comtois
2nd 'Triumph' C&C Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Peter Bromley
3rd 'Third Wave' C&C Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Steve Davies

Alpha 2
1st 'Poohsticks' J92 Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Colin Mann
2nd 'Agent 99' C&C Bedford Basin Yacht Club Skipper:Rob Crutcher
3rd 'Helm's Deep' Beneteau First 36.7 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Mike Sutton

Bluenose
1st 'Fish 'N' Chips' Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Christian Luthi
2nd 'Wahoo' Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Carter McNeely
3rd 'Dart' Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:John Grantmyre

Bravo 1
1st 'Head Games' Kirby 30 Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Terry Schnare
2nd 'Rattle and Hum' J30 Dartmouth Yacht Club Skipper:Jason Penny
3rd 'Highlander' Dehler DB1 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Dan Pride

Bravo 2
1st 'Sly Fox' Peterson 29 Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:James Lee Mosher
2nd 'Scamp' Sonar Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Reilly/Bendall
3rd 'Awesome 2.0' Sonar Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Ron Whynacht

Bravo 3
1st 'Sisu' Tanzer 22 MYC Skipper:David Peer
2nd 'Christopher Robin' Tanzer 22 GLunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Robin Wilber
3rd 'Moderation' Mirage 27 Lahave River Yacht Club Skipper:Steven Williston

Classic
1st 'Mighty Mo' IOD Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Rick Thompson
2nd 'Aileen' IOD RBYC Skipper:Bill McNiven
3rd 'Eclipse' Chester C Chester Yacht Club Skipper:Danny Blain

Cruiser
1st 'Njord' C&C 33 Dartmouth Yacht Club Skipper:Blaine MacNeil
2nd 'Patience' Nonsuch 30U Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Bruce Flinn
3rd 'Chester Cat' Nonsuch 30U Chester Yacht Club Skipper:John McCurdy

Distance 1
1st 'Brilliance J120 144 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Richard Calder
2nd 'Ramillies Beneteau 44.7 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:David Wilson
3rd 'Bellatrix Swan 48-2 Chester Yacht Club Skipper:John Hunkin

Distance 2
1st 'Boss Lady' N/M 39 Royal Kananaskis Yacht Club Skipper:Bob Harrity
2nd 'Mischief' C&C 40 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Jeff Costwell
3rd 'Odyssey' Swan 57 Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Glen Dexter

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

J29
1st 'Scotch Mist IV' Lunenberg Yacht Club Skipper:Chris MacDonald
2nd 'Feed Me' Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Andrew Orr
3rd 'Silver Woman' Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Skipper:Andrew Childs

Up to date scores always available at
www.chesterraceweek.com/scoring

Updates and videos available at
www.chesterraceweek.com
www.youtube.com/chesterraceweek
www.facebook.com/chesterraceweek

by CRW Official Press