Racing with the Wind
Sailboats, it’s arguable, were the first technological wonder to shrink the wide world to a global village. They’re still doing it. As the U.S. Sailboat Show ended its 45th encampment in Annapolis, two great openwater races demonstrate the lasting power of wind and maritime ingenuity.
From October 16 to 19, 34 classic ships dash down the Chesapeake from Annapolis to Portsmouth, Virginia, in the 25th Annual Great Schooner Race. As the pace-setters of trade for four centuries, these world travelers thrived on speed. The Chesapeake was no exception, with the two ports as proud of their ships as cities are today of their sports teams. The race celebrates that rivalry and benefits Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Speeds are still amazing: in 2007 the schooner Virginia compressed the 127-mile distance to 11 hours, 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
Sailing a wider compass, the Volvo Ocean Race began October 12, with seven yachts setting out from Alicante, Spain, for Cape Town, South Africa, in the first and longest leg — 6,487 nautical miles — of the 38,739 mile round-the-world race.
Farr Yacht Design of Annapolis designed the Volvo Ocean 65 Class that is this year’s standard boat.