Woodwind Winds the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race 2024
The 2024 Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race ended on Saturday, October 5 in Freemason Harbor in Norfolk, VA. The small but mighty fleet of gorgeous ships tied up for a tent-covered celebration and a lovely day of public display. The winner, Woodwind, a 74-foot schooner owned and captained by a father-daughter team, Ken and Jen Kaye, was docked right up front, next to the Norfolk Rebel (the “hostess” and one of the first race contenders.) Woodwind was the first and only ship to reach the Thimble Shoals Lighthouse marker on time. Second place went to Captain Mike Lawrence of Light Reign, a 48-foot Cherubini.
The first ever Schooner Race was in 1990. The start is marked by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis, and the race stops at the Thimble Shoals Lighthouse at the Hampton Roads channel. The distance sailed is just over 125 nautical miles down the Chesapeake.
Woodwinds story begins in the early 90’s in Albany, New York, where she and her twin sister, Woodwind II, were built by Scarano Boat Builders. Owner Jen Kaye is quick and proud to offer her admirers a show-piece block of the hull layup; a light and powerful bond of fiberglass over wood. She shows how light cedar was used throughout the vessel. A famous ship, Woodwind’s twin sister, Woodwind II, was featured in the movie, “Wedding Crashers.” Both vessels are docked at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel and are available for cruises and special events. To learn more, go to schoonerwoodwind.com.
Jim Murren, crew aboard Light Reign, was thrilled to come in second. He talked of sunsets, star-gazing, and one very close call with a fast-passing barge. He smiled and pseudo-boasted of having the only real espresso machine for the race.
From the glorious fall weather to the cups of brisk espresso, the smiles from every vessel proved it; this year’s schooner race was luxury sailing at its best!
Learn more about the Schooner Race here.
By Erik Speer