Regatta: Bedford Basin Announces Polaris Block Trophy Race

Feb 13, 2025

JULY 27TH, 2025

STAKES: a dozen bottles of champagne

The Polaris Block Race Committee through Bedford Basin Yacht Club – defending default Club of Record – issues an invitation to the following Yacht Clubs to send a member’s yacht and members to compete in a Challenger’s Elimination Race in Bedford Basin from which the winning yacht club will have the privilege of racing BBYC’s defender for the Polaris Block with winner to be awarded a case of Champagne.

ELIGIBILITY: The Polaris Block is a contest among yacht clubs represented by their selected bonafide members and their yachts having eligibility restricted to a PHRF handicap of 81 or greater but no more than 99 and an overall length of no less than 30 feet.

All races will be conducted on a boat-for-boat basis with no time allowances used.

LEGACY: The Yacht Polaris belonged to Kaisar Wilheim I| of Germany from which the Polaris Block Is an artifact which Scottish artist Thomas MacKenzie fashioned into a trophy donated by the late David R. Forsyth, James R. O’Hagan, and Kenneth R. Giffin in 1978.

During the first 30 years of Polaris Block racing some of the world’s leading Yacht Clubs and their sailors have competed including several America’s Cup skippers.

2025 Polaris Block Invitational Challenge:

Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron

Chester Yacht Clubb

Lunenburg Yacht Club

Armdale Yacht Club

Dartmouth Yacht Club

Saint Margaret’s Bay Sailing Club

Shearwater Yacht Club

Defender: Bedford Basin Yacht Club

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