Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Video - 2011 Marblehead Halifax Ocean Race On Board Denali by Leighton O'Connor



I crewed on Denali for the Marblehead to Halifax Race and what a fast ride it was. We were 4th over the line out of a fleet of 89 boats and had a finish time just under 36 hours. Unfortunately, our killer rating knocked us down to 12th place in IRC.

The three boats in front of us beat the 1989 record of 33:29 set by Starlight Express in a Santa Cruz 70. Bella PITA shattered the record with a time of 30:46. Canada's own Valkyrie had a time of 31:50 and corrected over Bella PITA for first place.

As well as crewing, I was shooting a spread for SAIL Magazine and footage for ESPN and Gary Jobson for a special airing in November. See the stills here: http://www.leightonphoto.com/Sailing-Regattas/Marblehead-Halifax-Ocean-Race