Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race Returns for 2023

The 39^th biennial Marblehead to Halifax Ocean race returns this year, the first since 2019.

The Notice of Race is up on the web page and registrations are now being accepted (www.marbleheadtohalifax.com). The committee is already at work planning for onshore activities.

The 363 nautical mile race will start in Marblehead Harbor on July 9, 2023, sponsored by the Boston Yacht Club and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

“The Notice of Race is up, and we’re thrilled to be back,” said Vice Commodore Bruce Baker, co-chair of the race. “We think there is pent-up demand because of the Pandemic, and we are expecting a brisk signup,” he added. The last race was in the summer of 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2021 race when the US/Canadian border was closed.

From the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Co-Chair Graham Roy added “l echo Vice Commodore Baker’s excitement. RNSYS is thrilled to be welcoming this group of sailors back to our club next summer. The long-standing tradition of the race, and skipping 2021, has increased the interest from the local boats that are looking to participate. We hope to have a banner year in both entries and champagne sailing conditions.”

The 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. More recently, the 2021 scheduled race was canceled because of the pandemic and the closing of the international border between the U.S. and Canada.