North Sails Order Form

The new North Sails Bluenose order form is now posted in our Association Resources section, or click here

Updates

We are in the process of updating the content our site. Please check back in the spring for more information.

2008 Bluenose Championship Results

The 2008 Championship results are now available for download.

Click here to download and view them.

Special Meeting

July 7 @ 1830 Special Meeting - Social to follow
Chester Yacht Club

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Review of Calendar and Membership (eligibility and payment)
3. Discuss and vote on highlighted changes in Constitution.
4. Discuss and vote on use of spinnakers or no spinnakers at Champsionships
5. Approval of 2007 AGM draft minutes
6. Vote on resolution for Sandy to have signing authority.
7. Discuss class weight
8. New business to be noted for 2008 AGM on August 23
9. Adjourn meeting

Maritime Bluenose Championships - August 23 - 24

In 1949, the Halifax Herald donated the International Class Championship Trophy and the Bluenose Championships had an international flavour with boats competing from Marblehead, Massachusetts. The Championship format changed in 1955 to an all local event with the presentation of the Russell-Youla Trophy. At that time the event was renamed the Maritime Bluenose Championships.

The Russell- Youla Trophy was presented to the RNSYS in 1955 by Miss Kathleen Wylde. It was originally donated to the RNSYS by General Lord Alexander G. Russell and first won by the schooner Wenonah in 1886. For many years, prior to 1980, the events was held primarily in Halifax and for a few years held in neutral territory at Hubbards. In the 1980's and 90's, the event alternated between Halifax and Chester. Since 2000, the Maritime Bluenose Championships have been held solely at the Chester Yacht Club as the Halifax fleet is no longer active.

The past few years have seen a significant growth in the Nova Scotia Bluenose Class fleet and we look forward to continued participation and an excellent event this year.

Schedule:
Saturday, August 23
0800-0930 - Registration
0930 hrs - Annual General Meeting
TBA - Competitors Meeting at conclusion of AGM
1255 - First Warning

Sunday, August 24, 2008
1255 - First Warning Signal
Awards and Chowder Conclusion of Race

Be a TOP finisher and register for the 2008 Bluenose Sailing Clinics!

Strategy and Tactics Clinic with Kristen Berry

July 26 and July 27
Cost: $150.00
Register by emailing Sandy @ s.morash@ns.sympatico.ca
Times will be confirmed

About Kristen Berry....

Kristen Berry is a Washington, DC based sailor and owner/operator of Gale Force Sailing - a company providing sailing-based corporate team building consulting, as well as sailing and sailboat racing instruction, lectures, and private coaching for clubs, teams and individuals. Before working as a full time coach, Kristen achieved professional success in people focused businesses including politics, communications and sales. Kristen has worked as a sailing coach and corporate teambuilding event team leader for more than five years. He has worked for JWorld Annapolis - America’s top ranked sailing school and is actively involved in their learn to sail and racing programs, and coaches the National Maritime Heritage Foundation’s, National Capital High School Sailing program. This one of a kind program is an alternative educational and physical fitness program for high school students in the Washington, DC area who are interested in sailing and racing. The program provides a positive environment in which all students learn the importance of teamwork, respect, responsibility, leadership, commitment and sportsmanship in addition to instructing high school teams in sailing and racing techniques and competing in varsity and junior varsity interscholastic competition.

Overview...
Racing in Chester is exhilarating. With the Bluenose fleet growing, wouldn't you like to have more confidence in your racing acumen? Well you can!

Imagine. You and your crew are approaching the windward mark on starboard tack, just short of the layline. A port tack boat is closing quickly but won't quite be able to cross you. What should you do? With only a few meters to the windward mark quick thinking and smart tactics will get you around first - but a moment of hesitation and you could find yourself helplessly closed out with nowhere good to go. Are you sure you know the answer? Or are you quietly wondering what a layline is, or scratching your head trying to remember who has right of way?

Well, whether you are an expert or new to the sport, Kristen Berry's two day Strategy and Tactics for the Racing Sailor seminar is both informative and entertaining, and can help you improve your racing. Kristen will discuss how to formulate racing strategy, how and why the wind shifts, strategy and tactics for the start, the windward leg, mark roundings, downwind and reaching legs, and at the finish. He will explain the racing rules and their tactical applications, and do so in a way everyone can understand.

So, bring your most challenging questions to this informative event and get ready to laugh and learn. Everyone will benefit from the opportunity to listern and learn about the techniques the world's top racers are using to manage wind shifts, develop winning strategies, and implement and defend those strategies with tactics and rules. Come and learn the basics or develop new weapons to use on the race course. Regardless of your racing experience this seminar can help you improve.

Saturday, July 26 Schedule

Introduction
Strategy and Tactics for the Start

A. Race Procedure
B. Vital Elements to a good start
C. Starting styles
D. Become a Predator or become Prey
E. Rules at the start
F. Putting it all together - A starting game plan

Starting strategy and tactics Quiz

Break

Strategy and Tactics for the Windward Leg
Strategy v. Tactics

A. Strategy

1. The fastest way to sail to the windward mark.
2. The wind: types, shifts, forecasts, and predictions
3. Waves/Current
4. Important strategic information for the Windward leg
5. Putting it all together a strategic game plan

B. Tactics - implementing your strategy

1. Crossing scenarios
2. Why choose one or the other
3. Covering
4. Defending your space - tactical tools
5. The beat in three acts
6. Laylines and the windward mark
7. Rules on the Windward Leg

C. Windward leg strategy and tactics quiz

Everyone invited to Rig and Race

Racing debrief/Chalk talk at the club

Sunday, July 27 Schedule

Saturday review breakfast
Strategy and tactics of the Downwind Leg

A. Strategy Check - Use what you learned from your windward leg
B. Game plan update
C. Tactics - implementing your strategy

1. Escaping the mark
2. Passing/Not getting passed
3. Covering/herding

D. The run in three acts - think buoy room!
E. Laylines and the leeward mark(s)
F. Rules on the leeward leg
G. Spinnakers v No Spinnakers
H. Finishing
I. Leeward leg strategy and tactics Quiz

Break
Review and Q and A

2. Bluenose Sail Trim and Rig Tuning Clinic with Andreas Josenhans

August 19, 2008 @ 1000 hrs
Cost $50.00
Register by emailing Sandy @ s.morash@ns.sympatico.ca

About Andreas Josenhans.... Andreas Josenhans works in product development for North Sails Performance Resources and his sailing career spans over three decades. An expert in developing boat speed and tuning, Andreas has been in the sail making business since 1977. With 6 World Championships in one design, three America’s Cup syndicates and a host of awards and achievements under his belt, this Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Member will share his the experience and knowledge and will help you push your sailing ability to the limit. His local and international successes guarantee Andreas’ pointers and experience will be of benefit to those looking to improve their sailing skill and performance.

Schedule
1000 hrs – Meet at CYC dock
Shoreside tuning and review of last year’s tuning
1100 hrs – Sails UP
1100 hrs – 1500 hrs On the water Tune Up

Note: Please bring a lunch. After the Tuesday race we will meet at CYC for munchies and beer and a Show and Tell recapping your day on the water!