THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410120180
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
The race will be in the Chesapeake Bay, but the spectacle will be along the downtown Norfolk waterfront.
On Saturday, the 1994 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race culminates in a Parade of Sail into Town Point. For two days, the docks from the Omni Hotel to the Nauticus piers will be filled with some of the finest sailing vessels on the East Coast.
``It's the largest schooner competition in the U.S. as far as we know,'' said Bill Ripley, race chairman. ``It will be an impressive sight, plus three of the boats will be open to the public.''
The first vessels are scheduled to arrive at about noon on Saturday. More than 30 crafts are expected.
In its fifth year, festivities for the event began Wednesday, when captains and crews assembled their schooners at Fells Point in Baltimore. The race begins at the Bay Bridge outside Annapolis today and ends near Thimble Shoals off Willoughby Spit on Saturday. What time the boats actually cross the finish line, and then head for Norfolk, depends on weather conditions.
``We are at the mercy of the wind,'' Ripley said.
After arriving along the waterfront, most of the vessels will remain docked throughout the weekend. Some of the boats, like the Alexandria, a wooden relic, date back to 1928. Others were built only several years ago. They range from about 50 to more than 150 feet in length. A schooner is generally described as a fore-and-aft rigged vessel with two or more masts.
The three largest crafts will be open to the public at no charge. Visiting hours are from about noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The ships, the Tole Mour, 156 feet, the Unicorn of St. Helier, 155 feet, and the Alexandria, 125 feet, will be docked at the Nauticus piers. The masts on these vessels tower more than 150 feet high.
Among the race's top contenders are the schooner Brilliant, from Mystic, Conn., last year's winner, and the Woodwind, from Annapolis. Both are 74 feet. Top speeds range from 7 to 12 knots.
``The Brilliant is a beautiful boat,'' Ripley said. ``She's not only fast, she has a better finish than some fine furniture.''
Among the local entries is a past winner, the Bonny Rover, owned by Ray and Mark Hayward of Norfolk. Half of the schooners are commercial vessels. The remainder are either privately owned or professional charter boats.
In addition to the thrill of victory, the race has a historic element. In the old days - when sailing was the fastest mode of transportation - cargo vessels raced the Bay for profit, the first to port commanding the highest price for its goods and choice of freight to carry back. Norfolk and Baltimore were the two major seaports on the Mid-Atlantic.
``This event is in appreciation of these working vessels,'' explained Ripley, a Norfolk architect and avid sailor. ``We have to recognize the historical significance and see that it doesn't die.''
The race is sponsored by the cities of Norfolk and Baltimore, the Fells Point and Town Point yacht clubs, and other groups. Awards and prizes will be presented to the top three finishers in each of three classes. All entry fees and proceeds will go to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
``The people involved are those who really care about the Bay and our maritime heritage,'' said Ripley, who will be administrating rather than competing.
The race falls under the umbrella of the first annual Chesapeake Bay Maritime Festival and Classic Boat Show. The festival is Saturday and Sunday at Town Point Park, and features a variety of water-related activities and displays. The Maritime Art Show will offer the works of artists from five states. The Classic Boat Show is exhibiting antique crafts, models and boat-building demonstrations. The Virginia Marine Science Museum, the Mariners' Museum and the North Carolina Mariners' Museum are providing various presentations and exhibits. Bob Zentz, a recording artist who hails from Norfolk, will perform nautical folk songs. The festival is free to the public and runs from noon until 5 p.m. both days.
``For anyone with an interest in the water, Town Point will be a good place to spend the weekend,'' said Becky Bump, promotions director for Norfolk Festevents. by CNB