The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR) started on a rocking, rolling Thursday afternoon just south of the Bay Bridge. The 130-nautical-mile race continued southward in much the same way, making for an exhausting night and a fast finish for race crews.
The annual race, made up exclusively of schooners and unique traditional vessels, takes crews from Annapolis to Thimble Shoal Light. Chesapeake Bay Magazine had a front-row seat at the start line as these majestic vessels maneuvered to cross the line. We spotted beloved tall ships, the “Queens of the Chesapeake”, and all manner of smaller craft, from the quirky sailing tug Norfolk Rebel (who would go on to win her class!) to the steel-hulled Dauntless, designed for the Arctic, and the graceful Brilliant, all the way from Mystic Seaport in Connecticut.
This year, a favorable north wind moved things along more quickly than most years, and the first finishers crossed the line early Friday morning.
While the Schooner Woodwind was quick off the start line, The Pride of Baltimore II and Schooner Virginia, good-natured rivals for several years of the GCBSR, caught Woodwind and went on to switch places for lead boat throughout the night. In the end, Pride II earned line honors for reaching Thimble Shoal Light first. Because each vessel’s rigging and design span more than a century of sailing evolution, the official standings are adjusted for fairness. On corrected time, Virginia placed first in the AA class, pungy schooner Lady Maryland took second, and Pride II claimed third.
Virginia‘s crew said the course was “anything but calm, with gusting winds exceeding 20kts, intense overnight maneuvering, and an incredible finish just one minute and fifty seconds behind Pride of Baltimore II across the line.”
Pride II Captain Jeff Crosby wrote afterwards that they finished about six boat lengths in front of Virginia. “From a start where we were a few boat lengths in front of Schooner Virginia to a finish where we were a few boat lengths in front…seems like a close race to me!”
“It was a thrilling race from start to finish,” said Michael Fiorentino, Captain of Virginia. “Our volunteer crew worked tirelessly through the night, demonstrating incredible skill, teamwork, and dedication. We’re honored to represent Norfolk and proud to bring home the win!”
Crosby had similar sentiments about Pride‘s team. “My sincerest compliments to the crew, executing 7 gybes with full sail set in 20 knots & upwards of breeze is no small feat. To do so enthusiastically, & with good cheer even at 0200 in the morning speaks highly of their character & professionalism.”
Meanwhile on the recently restored steel-hulled Dauntless, Captain Jason Fox and vessel owner Alex Cooney saw gusts of 40kts and 8-foot seas near Mobjack Bay. Fox says it was a wild ride, but everyone arrived in one piece.
As we reported leading up to the race week, the GCBSR is about much more than friendly on-water rivalries and sailing through the night. Many of the schooners and other vessels provide maritime history education programs to students and the general public. Learn more about supporting the GCBRS and its causes here.
Here’s a list of the full race results. Congratulations to all the finishers!
