Organizers of the Helly Hansen National Offshore One-Design (NOOD) Regatta series, in conjunction with Marblehead Racing Association, have canceled the 2020 edition of the NOOD at Marblehead Race Week. With the Massachusetts Phase 3 reopening guidelines that were released on July 6, the event was unable to continue due to efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.
First established in 1889, Marblehead Race Week was originally scheduled for July 23-26 out of the Corinthian Yacht Club. About three weeks ago, the event was postponed until August 7-9 in the hopes that it would still be held.
“Marblehead Race Week was canceled after the Phase 3 guidelines were evaluated by the Marblehead Racing Association and Sailing World/NOOD,” said Marblehead Racing Association Chair and Corinthian Yacht Club Race Committee Chair Mark Toso. “Racing is allowed, however it is primarily for local boats. If Massachusetts continues to improve (in terms of COVID-19 safety), the ability to hold regattas and tournaments will be allowed.”
The five-event NOOD 2020 schedule has now canceled the Marblehead and Chicago stops, while the stops in San Diego and Annapolis remain postponed. So far, only the St. Petersburg event in February has been held in 2020.
Operating since 1988, Sailing World’s National Offshore One Design Regattas are the longest-running and most popular sailboat racing series in North America. Every NOOD regatta attracts regional, national, and international talent to compete against the local community on their home waters.
The 32nd edition of the NOOD Regatta Series had planned to return to the same five venues — Marblehead, St. Petersburg, Chicago, San Diego and Annapolis — across the USA in 2020 before it sets offshore again for the Caribbean NOOD Championship in the British Virgin Islands on Oct. 27-Nov. 1.