This Saturday and Sunday mark the return of the Corinthian Classic, one of the town’s prettiest events of the year.
Now in its 26th year, event chairman Timothy Dittrich of the Corinthian Yacht Club works hard with his committee every year to get as many vintage and modern classics to join the pursuit race. With a total of 23 entries this year, all the participating boats – including the vintage and modern classics are rated as a Classic Yacht.
“We have a great competition brewing in the Vintage Division (boats designed before 1950),” Dittrich said. “Expect to see Black Watch, a S&S Custom 68; Yawl; Neith, a 54; Herreshoff built in 1903; and Spirit, a 47 schooner. These boats should put on quite a show and a fight. Gentian, a NY 32 could be a late entry which would really make this a dog fight.”
COURTESY PHOTO/BRUCE DURKEE
This year the largest and fastest growing fleet will be the Modern Classic Division – designed after 1950 but before 1980.
“This is the division where you’ll see boats from the 1960s, 1970 and early 1980s go for the gusto,” Dittrich said. “Keep an eye out for Misirlou, the Cal 40; Jud Smith’s Africa B-Squad; and Valkyrie, the Hinckley 48.”
Marbleheader Quinn Vaillancourt will be in the Rozinante that he built himself using his speed and local knowledge to try and be first across the finish line Saturday and Sunday.
“He’s done it before in Rozi and always performs very well in this event,” Dittrich said.
“We cannot overlook the beauty, grace and heritage of the International One Design. They have been the backbone of yacht racing in Marblehead for decades now. Their red, white and blue spinnakers can’t be missed,” Dittrich added. “Watch for Carolyn Corbet on Elektra, Bill and Shiela Widnall on Javelin, and Greg Mancusi-Ungaro on Viking.”
In other news, mark your calendar for August 15-17 when the Eastern Yacht Club will host the annual Storm Trysail Club Ted Hood Regatta.
Ten years ago, the Storm Trysail Club’s Marblehead Station decided to celebrate one of Marblehead’s favorite sons, and one of our sport’s true legends, by naming a regatta in his honor. After the tremendous success of the inaugural 2017 event, the Hood Regatta, has been on its way to becoming an East Coast Classic.
Have you ever done a “dip-pole jibe?” Have you ever hoisted a jib in a “head-foil?” What about a “roller-furler?” Ted Hood was the person behind all of these innovations, and he revolutionized the sail-making industry with new materials, designs and weaving technology over decades. His yacht designs won every major ocean race, and his creativity helped advance nearly every aspect of our sport. As a sailor, Hood won nearly every trophy from the SORC to The America’s Cup.
The regatta is open to all boats with a valid PHRF New England certificate, an ORC certificate, J70 and J105 Class boats. A Distance Ocean Race Friday night for full-crewed or double-handed racers and Jib Main classes. The weekend race is a two-day event and to date has 22 entries.
