The Notice of Race has been posted and we've just opened registration for next year's edition of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race.

Heading upwind at the start of the 2017 Race

"We are looking forward to an elite fleet of racers again this year," says David Bows, Rear Commodore of the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead and co-chairman of the race. "This is truly one of the great racing events of the summer."  Michael Simms of the RNSYS is the co-chair.

The organizing committee is considering the addition of an ORRez division. Co-Race Directors Anne Coulombe of BYC and Richard Hinterhoeller of the RNSYS have already received two requests for an ORRez division. "We get the sense that this could be quite popular", said Richard. "Anyone interested in having this division, should contact [email protected] and let us know". Hinterhoeller says the sooner they can establish this interest, the better they can integrate it into the event. 

The 363-nautical mile Marblehead to Halifax is one of the oldest races on the eastern seaboard. It began 1905 and has continued every other year except during war time. It is cosponsored by the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax, NS. Major support comes from the Steele Auto Group of Nova Scotia.  

"Marblehead is the idyllic place for the start of this race," Bows declares. "There will be a round of parties and social events throughout the weekend before starting the race."

The fleet will be competing for trophies at every level including best combined result with the Newport to Bermuda race. There will also be prizes for teams such as U.S. vs Canada, double handed, all women crew, maritime academies, schooner ketch or yawl and over the hill gang.