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NSTYA Races 7 and 8 - part of the Trap Stright Memorial Regatta in Pictou. This is another NSTYA double-header (2 NSTYA Races) approaching:  the Trueman T Stright Memorial Regatta. Information on the regatta at  http://www.pictouyachtclub.ca/TTSweekend.htm and the NStYA NOR for the Pictou Island Race August 2.  The Race is 26 nm in distance circling beautiful Pictou Is., and   offers the crews many challenges, including wind, current and navigation and the Gull Rock Race  August 3. This race is 20 n/m in length and takes the participants from Pictou Harbour to Caribou, adjacent to the NS/PEI ferry run, and back.  It can also make for challenging winds and tidal conditions.  

A great time with great prizes and great parties in honour of a great sailor NStYA past president.

NSTYA Race # 9 Amet Island  - Barrachois Yacht Club hosts the resurrection of Bay Head Race from 1980’s and 90’s in which all sorts of sailing vessels and even windsurfers raced out of Tatamagouche bay around Amet Island and back.  A fun race in an excellent sailing venue. 21NM.

NSTYA Race # 10 Pictou to Montague -  This race is the last Category A race of the season and the start will be hosted by the Pictou Yacht Club and the finish will be coordinated and hosted by Montague Members. A 40n/m race which is usually a great sail

NSTYA Race # 11 Greenshore Race - This race is hosted by the Summerside Yacht Club. The race is 20 n/m within Summerside Harbour and Bedeque Bay. The event has been moved to one week earlier to allow for better participation and free up events for the long weekend.

NSTYA Race # 12 Cardigan Bay Race  - The Cardigan Bay Race is the part of the Cardigan Bay Regatta, a two-day event on the Sat and Sun of the Labour Day weekend. Boats stay at Montague marina and sail down river to start at the lower Montague wharf. Sat race is sanctioned and the race is usually to Grahams Ledge Buoy and return. Sunday is a non-sanctioned white sail only race set to suit wind conditions. Beautiful river cruising and lots of prizes are a plus to this weekend. 

To see more details on any of our races visit the website http://nstya.com/races.php and click on the appropriate race to reveal the Notice of Race for that event.

Have a great August!!!

Rod Stright

VP NSTYA

Please complete the following questionairre if you are interested in or would consider doing a 2009 Round the Island Race.

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"Charlottetown Yacht Club is in the process of trying to gauge the level of interest in putting on another 'Round the Island Yacht Race'. The event was last schedule to take place in 2000 but was cancelled when too few boats entered.  Unless we get a "firm commitment" from a number of skippers (10-12) to participate the committee is not prepared to begin organizing a race for next summer.  As you can appreciate a successful race will require good sponsors as well as good participation.  Organizing such an event requires a lot of work from volunteers and commitment from sponsors.

The event is the same distance exactly as Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (360 n/m) and would be held at a time of year so as not to conflict with the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race and perhaps to attract some of those entrants to do the ‘Round the Island Race.

I am attaching a link to the old website http://www.cyc.pe.ca/roundtheislandrace/about.html to give you an idea of what the race is all about and what is involved.

What we need from you is feedback as to your interest in doing the race.

For planning purposes the following information is provided:

The race would not be conducted during lobster season. The most probable dates would be the week after Charlottetown Race Week. So the start could either be Monday July 20, 2009 or POSSIBLY Friday evening July 24 around 1900 HOURS to allow most of the race to take place over a weekend thereby making it easier to attract crew. Your comments on this would be welcomed and appreciated.

Since the race is close to land, the safety requirements would not be quite as stringent as for Marblehead to Halifax but none the less would be in accordance with the appropriate ISAF Regulations. Requirements are expected to be similar to a Category II and in some cases equipment from a Category III may suffice . http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/OSR2008_Complete-[4325].pdf

Minimum size requirements for vessels is expected to be 27' or 28'; however, some consideration may be made for smaller yachts on an individual basis. We all know that sea-keeping charchastics of yachts is not soley a function of length, so entries will be at the discretion of the race committee.  Your input is welcomed.

Start and finish would be in Charlottetown so you finish where you started which can lessen delivery times and simplify crew requirements. As well, other family members can enjoy PEI while you race and still be present at the start and finish.

Some advantages and highlights of the race are:

360 n/m which involves sailing on all points of sail as you must circumnavigate the entire Island and navigate currents and tides.

Traditionally a fog-free environment.

Close to land all the way around.

Numerous places to take shelter in if necessary, except along the north shore of PEI.

A big event for a smaller location will generate media interest during the entire race and thus promote yachting and yacht racing in the area.

The size of the yachts located in the Strait has increased considerably and it is felt that there are now more boats interested in doing the race locally than there was 10 years ago.

Will be considerably less expensive in terms of crew time and money than doing a Marblehead to Halifax race.

Will give experience to those who want to do an ocean race closer to home.

Could be considered as a NStYA event in 2009.

It would be appreciated if you could provide your input to the undersigned StrightR@eastlink.ca with a copy to island.small.craft@pei.sympatico.ca indicating:

1. If you are very interested, somewhat interested or not interested in doing the Round the Island Race in 2009.
2. The name, type and size of your boat.
3. Reason for interest or non-interest.
4. Other suggestion or comments.

Regards

Rod Stright

VP NStYA 902-444-0016
902-209-0829(C)