Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race
The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (MHOR) is a biennial sailing race which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005. It runs between Marblehead, Massachusetts and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The race began in 1905 as an informal competition among sailors from the Boston, Eastern, and New York Yacht Clubs. The race was run sporadically until 1939, when the Boston Yacht Club (BYC) joined with the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron (RNSYS) to formalize a biennial event. Since that time, the MHOR has run regularly on alternate years from the Newport Bermuda Race, as one of the pre-eminent ocean races of the North Atlantic.
Each race begins in the early afternoon at "Tinkers Gong", just outside Marblehead Harbor. Over 1000 spectator boats observe the 100 racing yachts at the starting line. The 360 nautical mile (670 km) course runs slightly north of due east leaving Marblehead and sailing past Cape Ann. By the time they reach the open waters of the Gulf of Maine, the fleet has separated for the overnight journey. The tremendous tidal currents in the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy system, as well as the ever-present changing weather conditions create a unique tactical challenge for the racing crews.
Land is sighted near Cape Sable Island after crossing the Gulf of Maine. The fleet then races along the coast of Nova Scotia toward Halifax Harbour.
The finish line is located offshore from the RNSYS marina at the entrance to the Northwest Arm. The race record is 30 hrs, 46 min; set in 2011 by Bella PITA (Bill Tripp design 75', skippered by Jim Grundy).
MHOR is a well-known event in North America's sailing community, usually attracting in excess of 100 boats sailing in 5 different divisions.