Helly Hansen Chester Race Week 2021

We are so excited to think of sailing in Chester Race Week this summer.

Do you remember the beauty of Mahone Bay and the Village of Chester?

Well, Race Week is back, and we are looking at many innovative ways of keeping everyone safe on the water and at the same time offering the fun things that all competitors enjoy.

There will be a variety of classes and courses including, Bluenose, One Design, Inshore and Distance courses and Pursuit racing for the Classics and other boats that want to join in the fun. Plus, there will be daily draws for prizes from Charm Diamond Centre, Rolls Surrette and Playwear Apparel.

After racing we are planning for surprise deliveries to the finish lines from sponsors Goslings and Labatt. Thanks to Title sponsor Helly Hansen who will again supply the daily awards.

We are very pleased to welcome Engel & Völkers as a new premium sponsor. Engel & Völkers now has an office in the Village of Chester, and they dare you to be inspired by their curated portfolio of some of the finest real estate listings. 

More welcomes to new sponsors SENSEA Nordic Spa located in Chester, Dormie Workshop of Halifax, maker of premium leather handmade golf headcovers, and Party Ice.

We are thankful to returning sponsors Wilsons, Steele Subaru, North Sails Yacht Shop, Scotiabank, Spidles’ Independent, Navigator Publishing, Boating Atlantic, South Shore Insurance, Sail NS, as well as marine service companies Mahone Marine, East River Shipyard, Good Mooring, Ocean Yacht Sales, South Shore Marine, Blandford Marine and Salty Dog Tours that allow us to put on this spectacular event.

This event would not be possible without the support of all of our sponsors, so please be loyal to the brands that support us!

Remember to register early so we can prepare for all the fun.  We promise you a safe, competitive and fun event.

We are hosting this event with belief that everyone will respect our COVID-19 protocols. Our priority this year is racing quality and social gatherings are probably not going to be possible this year. We will be letting you know all of our safety practices well before Race Week and competitors are asked to make sure that everyone on their team participates.

So, you know that Chester Race Week has been going for a long time, but did you know it might predate Confederation? The first documented regatta in Chester was in 1856. It is reported to have been attended by 3,000 people who participated in a parade, amusements, land races as well as the sea races.

In 1858, a rowing race for ladies was added and a dance took place at the Mulgrave Inn which had been hosting guests from Europe, U.S. and Canada since 1820. In 1860, the press reported the regatta pleasures were “enhanced by a large party consisting of 150, accompanied by the city band, who arrived in the steamer Neptune from Halifax.”

In 1885, the two-day regatta had boats from Mahone Bay, Lunenburg as well as from the two Tancook Islands. The big excitement was a circus which featured a hand cranked Ferris wheel on the parade ground. According to the Lunenburg newspaper, the 1888 Annual Regatta attracted 2,000 spectators who were treated to “the closest and most exciting match of its kind ever witnessed in the South Shore.” After Chester Yacht Club was established in 1902, the club became the focal point for yacht racing.

Our website www.chesterraceweek.com is always open for registration and information not only about the 2021 event but past events and history as well.

We want to express our gratitude to our sponsors, to our participants and our volunteers for your support and look forward to seeing you on the water in August.

Stay Safe! Stay Local! Stay Sailing!

Schedule of Racing (subject to change)

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Virtual Competitors’ Meetings

• 1900-1920 One Design Course
• 1930-1950 PHRF – NS Inshore Course
• 2000-2020 PHRF – NS Distance Course, Classics Course
• 2030-2050 Bluenose Course

Details of the Virtual Competitors meeting will be emailed to boats who have completed registration.

Wed., Aug. 11 – Sat., Aug. 14, 2021

• 1200 First Signal PHRF – NS Inshore Racing
• 1200 First Signal PHRF – NS Distance Racing
• 1200 First Signal One Design Classes
• 1300 First Signal Bluenose Class
• 1215 First Signal Classic Classes

On the last day of racing no warning signal will be made after 1500.