A sailing they will go
International Albacore Championship underway in Shelburne
The 2019 International Albacore Championship sailing regatta is underway in Shelburne, with 47 teams from Great Britain, the U.S.A and Canada competing in the week-long event.
Hosted by the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club, sailors began arriving late last week for the official opening on
Aug. 24. The first race day was Sunday (Aug. 25) and will continue throughout the week, with three races daily starting at noon, with the exception of Wednesday, which is designated a lay day on the schedule. Whether or not there will be racing on that day depends if the regatta is on schedule, said lead organizer Henry Pedro.
Pedro said he is “tickled” with the turnout for the regatta.
“Beyond expectations,” he said. “I’m so pleased. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. You worry so much about how it’s going to turn out with the organization and stuff and then when people turn up and are quite visibly enjoying themselves that means you’ve done a good job.”
Pedro said the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club has received “incredible” support from the community and sponsors for hosting the event.
“It is great to see how many local businesses have supported the event.”
The sailors will be using the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club marina, the Shelburne Sailing Academy slipway and the Town of Shelburne slipway on Dock Street for launching their vessels. The nearby Guild Hall will serve as a social gathering spot in the evenings for the competitors.
Pedro and crew Janna Maclachlan are one of five teams from the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club who are competing in the regatta. Guy Tipton and Matthew King, James Stanley and Julie Stewart, Nick Williams and Kaitlyn Gillis and Ed Trevor and Naniya Trevors are the other local teams.
In the race lineup from Liverpool are Tim Woodford and Caleb Woodford.
After the first day of racing, Tipton and King were in fifth place.
Pedro said he is looking forward to a good week of sailing. The regatta wraps up on Aug. 30 with the closing ceremonies and banquet.
The International Albacore Championship Regatta was started in 1973 and is held every two years, with Canada, Europe and the U.S.A. alternating as hosts.
See our website www.thecoastguard.ca for updates with more coverage in next week’s paper.