The 2015 Edition of the Marblehead to Halifax Race is wrapping up, with the first boats showing up into Halifax Harbor at about 6:30 p.m. on July 7. Steve and Heidi Benjamin's Spookie claimed line honors in a race that tested the limits of both boats and crews, with incredibly light winds (at times, boats were going less than one knot an hour) and current bringing out the best and worst in boats.
https://youtu.be/jzWHUoGIg1k
Spookie, the Carkeek HP 40, did well in the race due to her light displacement, flat hull shape, and large sail area. "I am super happy to be here in the daylight," Steve Benjamin told race organizers, adding that he was pumped to help his crew celebrate later. Spookie hit land a good five hours before the rest of the fleet started showing up.
Seven Bay boats are racing to Canada. An eighth, Donnybrook, had to pull out at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict (they plan to race to Solomons on Friday).
In IRC 2, Mike Maholochic's Swann 44 Stormy Weather finished just before 11 a.m. on July 8, coming in 8th place, 46th overall.
In ORR 1, Canadian-turned-Bay sailor Glenn Doncaster and his crew on Nanuq finished at 6:41 a.m. on July 8, currently holding third place in ORR and 33rd place overall. Just ahead of yet behind him is Tim Savage's Tripp 41, Triage, who finished at 5:49 a.m. and is currently 7th place ORR.
Chaotic Flux, James Chen's J/120 out of Herrington Harbour SA, finished just two minutes before Savage at 5:47 a.m. and is currently fourth place in PHRF 2. James Praley's J/120 Shinnecock was just behind him by 20 minutes, and is currently in fifth place in the same class.
The two Navy 44s, Gallant and Tenacious managed to finish within the same minute at 6:42 a.m., taking second and third place in PHRF 3.
And rounding out the list of Bay boats, Grey Ghost, Philip Parish's ZAAL 38 Custom is only about 10.5 nm off the finish line.
Thanks to the Boston YC for the great aerial footage of the race. And congratulations to all the boats who finished - what a race!
