A Warm Welcome is Waiting!

RHSP 2014 chair Scott MacLeod presented a strong argument for taking part in Route Halifax Saint-Pierre to a group of sailors attending the Halifax International Boat Show Saturday, Feb. 22nd.   Scott recounted some of the events that will take place on shore in Halifax before the race departs on July 8, 2014.  And he showed pictures from previous years of the warm welcome that awaits sailors arriving in Saint-Pierre where each boat is assigned to a family who welcome the crew to their homes and entertain with fine French cuisine and friendship.  These special arrangements are one of the features that sets this ocean race apart from many others.  As conceived by Philippe Paturel and Capt. Hal Davies, this is a race that fosters a close relationship between eastern Canada, the U.S. and the French islands.

Scott also talked about some new ideas that are still under consideration.  There may be a second start in Sydney this year.  And if you are a cruiser and prefer a more predictable voyage, we are talking about having a rally class, which means you would be permitted to run your engines for a certain period of each day.  If either of those ideas appeal to you, please contact Scott MacLeod directly to discuss: info@routehalifaxsaintpierre.com

Meet us at the Halifax International Boat Show

Don't miss a chance to learn about ocean racing at the Halifax International Boat Show. Capt. Mike Evans talks about the challenges and rewards of Offshore racing as well as various ocean races you can enter. 

We'll be there with all the details you need about Route Halifax Saint-Pierre. If you are going to be in Halifax for the boat show, make sure you are there at 12:30 on Saturday, Feb. 22nd at Exhibition Park. 

Here's a link to the Boat Show program where you can read Michelle Derible's touching story about her Route Halifax Saint-Pierre experience in 2012. 

The Halifax International Boat Show presents the 2014 Show Guide as an on-line Flip Book: 
http://digital.turn-page.com/i/259768

RHSP 2014 Notice of Race is Amended

Race Director Richard Hinterhoeller reports the 2014 Notice of Race has been amended as of today - Feb. 12th - to remove the minimum requirement of 5 boats so as to form an IRC division.

The amendment can be found at: http://www.routehalifaxsaintpierre.com/updates/rhsp2014nor_amend1.pdf

The Notice of Race at http://www.routehalifaxsaintpierre.com/updates/rhsp2014nor.pdf includes these changes.

The Offshore Special Regulations for this race, including Sail Canada prescriptions, is now posted at: http://www.routehalifaxsaintpierre.com/updates/SC_OSR_2014-2015_Extracts_Mo2.pdf

Anybody wishing to see a summary of changes since 2012 can view them at: http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/OSR2014AmendmentSheet19122013-%5B16039%5D.pdf

Join us for TGIF at the Squadron - Jan. 24th

Join Route Halifax Saint-Pierre committee members for TGIF at the Squadron in Halifax on Friday, Jan. 24th starting at 6:30.  We'll be providing some hors d'oeuvres while answering your questions about the Race and how you can get ready to join us in July as we sail from Halifax to Saint-Pierre. 

Committee chair Michelle Derible makes the following offer: 
"Come join us for a fun and informative evening all about the most exciting ocean race in the region this year." 

It is a great chance to get all your questions answered if you are thinking of joining the race for the first time....or share your memories of the 2012 race with fellow sailors.

Time to Register!

It's time to register! Race director Richard Hinterhoeller has completed the forms and we encourage you to register as soon as you can for another epic race from Halifax to Saint-Pierre. Here is the link to the registration form which will be administered through yachtscoring.com:

http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=983http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=983

Happy Holidays from RHSP!

Survival Training courses coming up

If you are planning to take part in the race this year, you should be looking at the training that may be necessary in advance. The ISAF offshore rules require 30% of your crew and not less than 2 people to have safety training. Two options for you:

Here is the confirmed schedule for the ISAF offshore personal safety course provided by Eric Hill and Sea Survival for 2014 prior to our race:

Ottawa Feb 1-2
Halifax Feb 15-16
Port Credit Mar 1-2
Halifax Mar 29-30
Port Credit April 12-13
Halifax April 26-27
Halifax - early July TBA - if needed for distant crew/late arrivals only

Online registration and details at www.seasurvival.ca

In the US, contact the Cruising Club of America about their biennial US Sailing - Sanctioned "Safety at Sea" Seminar, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Newport, R.I. on the weekend of March 15-16, 2014. The seminar welcomes cruisers, racers, delivery crews, racing crews, and skippers.

A Race Preparation Seminar is aimed at sailors planning to participate in the Newport - Bermuda Race, organized by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club but will also prepare you for ocean racing from Halifax to Saint-Pierre.

Registration questions should be directed to SAS seminar coordinators Garry and Leslie Schneider, at cca.sas.2014@gmail.com 207 359 8908. Registration is available online at:

http://bermudarace.com/entry/safety-at-sea-seminars/

http://www.seasurvival.ca/

www.seasurvival.ca