Race Week has strong North Shore ties

In a tradition that dates back to the late 19th century, Marblehead Race Week took place for the 125th year off Massachusetts Bay this past week, and concluded on Sunday.And Race Week, which is also called the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta, has quite a local flavor.?There are local North Shore sailors for the most part, certainly very many from Marblehead, people from Swampscott and surrounding areas,” said George Brengle, the director of marketing for Sailing World magazine, which owns and manages the event.Brengle mentioned world-class local sailors who have participated in Race Week, including Dave Curtis and Robbie Doyle.?There are quite a lot of very good sailors,” he said.He also noted that the event is “family-oriented.”The three major clubs of Marblehead manage the event on the water: The Corinthian, Eastern and Boston yacht clubs. The Eastern and Corinthian clubs are on Marblehead Neck, while the Boston club is on Front Street.Brengle said knowing the local conditions can be a key factor in racing.?Particularly those with local knowledge who know the tides, winds and the like, there is a lot of strategy,” he said, such as “where in the course to situate and covering the other competitors.”Crews in the event, which is coed, range from two people to six or seven. There were 160 boats registered for the event, all sailboats, ranging from 15-16 feet to 35 feet.Asked about the requirements to compete, Brengle said, “You have to have a boat and you have to be a member of US Sailing. There?s really not much. Just with a boat and a crew.”Winners get prizes, and the overall winner receives a trip to the British Virgin Islands in the end of October to race the winners of the five other NOOD Regattas held elsewhere in the US.Brengle grew up in Wenham and Manchester, and it sounds like he has an appreciation of this North Shore event with national and international connections.?It?s the biggest summer sailing event of the season,” he said. “There?s a lot of tradition in this particular NOOD/Race Week.”