Charlottetown Race Week History
ORIGIN OF CHARLOTTETOWN RACE WEEK
In 1983, Gordon Millar, Commodore of the CYC was planning CYC’s participation in Quebec’84, the celebration of the 350 year anniversary of the founding of Quebec. The CYC’s part of this celebration involved the “Challenge Labatt Canada”, a 350 mile sail boat race from Toronto to Charlottetown.
The “Challenge” was officially organized between 10 identical C&C 35’s and crewed by sailors representing their respective province. When the month long race started in June from Toronto, there was 23 competitors, then on the final leg of the “Challenge”, from Shediac to Charlottetown, there was over 100 yachts and 1,000 crew racing to invade Charlottetown Harbour and the CYC. See Harry Holman’s history of the Challenge Labatt at: https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/a-friendly-invasion-from-the-sea/.
To keep the momentum of keel boat racing at the CYC, the 1984 Commodore Doug Hambly believed that a “spin” off event at the club should be organized for the following year. In 1985, Commodore Hambly and his executive presented the first annual Charlottetown Regatta and Race Week, with boats participating from various clubs around the Maritimes and as far away as Ottawa. And the rest is history!
In 1983, Gordon Millar, Commodore of the CYC was planning CYC’s participation in Quebec’84, the celebration of the 350 year anniversary of the founding of Quebec. The CYC’s part of this celebration involved the “Challenge Labatt Canada”, a 350 mile sail boat race from Toronto to Charlottetown.
The “Challenge” was officially organized between 10 identical C&C 35’s and crewed by sailors representing their respective province. When the month long race started in June from Toronto, there was 23 competitors, then on the final leg of the “Challenge”, from Shediac to Charlottetown, there was over 100 yachts and 1,000 crew racing to invade Charlottetown Harbour and the CYC. See Harry Holman’s history of the Challenge Labatt at: https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/a-friendly-invasion-from-the-sea/.
To keep the momentum of keel boat racing at the CYC, the 1984 Commodore Doug Hambly believed that a “spin” off event at the club should be organized for the following year. In 1985, Commodore Hambly and his executive presented the first annual Charlottetown Regatta and Race Week, with boats participating from various clubs around the Maritimes and as far away as Ottawa. And the rest is history!
Charlottetown Race Week in its present form has much deeper roots in the community. Charlottetown has hosted a Regatta in various forms since the 19th century. On his website, Harry Holman notes that Hillsboro Boating Club operated a popular Regatta at Charlottetown as far back as at least 1874, following the rules of the Royal Halifax Yacht Club. Like today, the 1874 Regatta attracted "fast boats from various towns and settlements on the coast". A grandstand was erected at Connolly's Wharf. During a week of festivities they held a public dance in the Drill Shed, a Grand Ball and a Concert. Over the years commercial fishermen and professionals have competed in various regattas at Charlottetown along with weekend sailors.
OVERALL WINNERS
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1991 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1992 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1993 Blitz, Dave Mosher CYC / J-Walker, Shaun McDermott, Pictou
1994 Pizzazz, Ron & Pam Smith, CYC
1995 Cheap Thrill, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
1996 Cheap Thrill, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
1997 All Goodness, David McInnis, CYC
1998 Little One, Richard Johnson, Chester YC
1999
2000 All Goodness, David McInnis, CYC/ Doug Patterson, Tanzer
2001 Evergreen, Bill Denivervill, Thunderbird, Shediac YC
2002 Chance, David Hume, CYC
2003 Freyja, Doug Caldwell, Grand Lake YC
2004
2005 Spirit of Comfort, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
2006 Effie, Danny Mosher/ Randy DesRoches, CYC
2007
2008 Trouble, Ed Backman, RNSYC
2009
2010 Sam Squantic, Andrew Rankin, J-24, CYC
2011 Sam Squantic, Andrew Rankin, J-24, CYC
2012
2013 Freyia, Doug Caldwell, Grand Lake YC
(No overall winners from 2014.)
FLEET WINNERS
2014
A Farr From Tangley, Peter Toombs , CYC
J29 J2K, Randy Johnston, CYC;
B X-Tasea, Terry Allan, CYC
2015
A Farr From Tangley, Peter Toombs, CYC ,
J29 Jaeger, Russ Compton, CYC
J70 Joyride'n, Graeme Carr, CYC
C Spirit of Comfort, Doug Gaudet, CYC
White Sail Rose Arbor, Clive Pickles, CYC
2016
A Totally Irresponsible, Adam Affleck, CYC
J29 J2K, Randy Johnston, CYC
J70 JoyRidin, Greame Carr, CYC
J24 Canadians Lifted, Even Petley-Jones, Halifax
B Persuasion, Jason MacAulay, CYC
C Milagros, Basil Dickson, CYC
2017
A Tangley, Peter Toombs, CYC
J29 Satisfaction, Jim Mason, Halifax
J70 Ardezen, Andrew Rankin, CYC
B Phoenix, Tim Cook, CYC,
C Milagros, Basil Dickson, CYC
2018
PHRF A Class Young Blood, Larry Creaser, Chester, NS
J29 Class Satisfaction, Randy Johnston, CYC
Farr 30 - Canadian National Championship Head First 3, Peter Toombs, CYC
J70 - Canadian Championship Rex, Scott Weakley, Port Credit YC, Ontario
2019
PRHF A Class Head First 3, Peter Toombs, CYC
PHRF B Class Whisper, Peter Scott, CYC
J29 Class Satisfaction, Randy Johnston, CYC
J70 JoyRidin, Greame Carr, CYC
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1991 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1992 Flynn, Barry Snell, Boat/ Larry Creaser
1993 Blitz, Dave Mosher CYC / J-Walker, Shaun McDermott, Pictou
1994 Pizzazz, Ron & Pam Smith, CYC
1995 Cheap Thrill, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
1996 Cheap Thrill, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
1997 All Goodness, David McInnis, CYC
1998 Little One, Richard Johnson, Chester YC
1999
2000 All Goodness, David McInnis, CYC/ Doug Patterson, Tanzer
2001 Evergreen, Bill Denivervill, Thunderbird, Shediac YC
2002 Chance, David Hume, CYC
2003 Freyja, Doug Caldwell, Grand Lake YC
2004
2005 Spirit of Comfort, Douglas Gaudet, CYC
2006 Effie, Danny Mosher/ Randy DesRoches, CYC
2007
2008 Trouble, Ed Backman, RNSYC
2009
2010 Sam Squantic, Andrew Rankin, J-24, CYC
2011 Sam Squantic, Andrew Rankin, J-24, CYC
2012
2013 Freyia, Doug Caldwell, Grand Lake YC
(No overall winners from 2014.)
FLEET WINNERS
2014
A Farr From Tangley, Peter Toombs , CYC
J29 J2K, Randy Johnston, CYC;
B X-Tasea, Terry Allan, CYC
2015
A Farr From Tangley, Peter Toombs, CYC ,
J29 Jaeger, Russ Compton, CYC
J70 Joyride'n, Graeme Carr, CYC
C Spirit of Comfort, Doug Gaudet, CYC
White Sail Rose Arbor, Clive Pickles, CYC
2016
A Totally Irresponsible, Adam Affleck, CYC
J29 J2K, Randy Johnston, CYC
J70 JoyRidin, Greame Carr, CYC
J24 Canadians Lifted, Even Petley-Jones, Halifax
B Persuasion, Jason MacAulay, CYC
C Milagros, Basil Dickson, CYC
2017
A Tangley, Peter Toombs, CYC
J29 Satisfaction, Jim Mason, Halifax
J70 Ardezen, Andrew Rankin, CYC
B Phoenix, Tim Cook, CYC,
C Milagros, Basil Dickson, CYC
2018
PHRF A Class Young Blood, Larry Creaser, Chester, NS
J29 Class Satisfaction, Randy Johnston, CYC
Farr 30 - Canadian National Championship Head First 3, Peter Toombs, CYC
J70 - Canadian Championship Rex, Scott Weakley, Port Credit YC, Ontario
2019
PRHF A Class Head First 3, Peter Toombs, CYC
PHRF B Class Whisper, Peter Scott, CYC
J29 Class Satisfaction, Randy Johnston, CYC
J70 JoyRidin, Greame Carr, CYC
Photo Credit: Lorne Kelly, Carnwood Photography
Weather:
*More Than 140 Years
Harry Holman notes at his website that the Hillsboro Boating Club operated a popular Regatta at Charlottetown as far back as at least 1874. Like today, the 1874 Regatta attracted "fast boats from various towns and settlements on the coast". Back then they followed the rules of the Royal Halifax Yacht Club. A grand stand was erected at Connolly's Wharf for the public to watch the races. During a week of festivities, they held a public dance in the Drill Shed, along with a Grand Ball and a Concert.
Harry Holman notes at his website that the Hillsboro Boating Club operated a popular Regatta at Charlottetown as far back as at least 1874. Like today, the 1874 Regatta attracted "fast boats from various towns and settlements on the coast". Back then they followed the rules of the Royal Halifax Yacht Club. A grand stand was erected at Connolly's Wharf for the public to watch the races. During a week of festivities, they held a public dance in the Drill Shed, along with a Grand Ball and a Concert.
