Hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice

When entries opened for the 39th biennial Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean race, John “Drew” Plominski was first in line to register for the 2021 edition. His eagerness is understandable considering it was his boat that blew up prior to the previous race.

Plominski’s Bristol 29.9 Perseverance was just about ready, and along with his wife and three friends, they had planned to compete in the 363-mile biennial race to Nova Scotia.

But when the South Boston resident left his boat moored at the Columbia Yacht Club the night before the start, and was at his house a couple of blocks away, he heard the loud noise that sounded like a boom and a crack.

The commotion was a lightning strike caught on video. “It was nuts,” Plominski said at the time. “All the electronics were fried,” forcing him to withdraw from the 2019 race.

Plominski is hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice for his new boat, a J/40 named Artemisia. “We’re thrilled to see Drew back for another try,” said Richard Hinterhoeller, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron co-race director.

The Marblehead-to-Halifax started in 1905 and has been held every other year, except during wartime, and with its biennial schedule, hopefully it avoids COVID-19 restrictions.

“We think there is a lot of pent up demand and sailors are anxious to get back on the water,” said Boston Yacht Club co-race director Karen Tenenbaum, hoping this premier east coast event provides that needed goal.

Details: www.marbleheadtohalifax.com