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Great Schooner Race 2011

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Good morning everyone. We did have a Great Schooner Race.. of sorts. Very light airs at the start which gave Mary Day an unfair advantage against the heavier vessels. The entire fleet, save the Timberwind and Stephen Taber, were mired at the start in a big clump. We crossed the line, sailed (drifted?) clear of the others and managed to somehow tack and gain enough steerage to head from the Western I bell towards Resolution I. What light wind we had was from the south. We caught up to the Taber and Timberwind by 1300ish at which point the esteemed and illustrious race committee shortened the course in the interest of time. Of course, as luck would have it, the breeze filled in onshore and we were "off like prom shoes". We managed to sail through the lee of Timberwind and were steadily gaining on the Taber. I am not certain what happened with the radio comms but Capt. Noah was still sailing the original course and drifted to leeward of the finish line line at which point he challenged the Timberwind to finish the original course. After a kind hearted "bet you can't catch me" challenge from Noah we chose to respect the esteemed race committee's decision on the course change and were greeted as first in class, first across the line at the finish line by the perennial coaster class (three masted division ) winner Victory Chimes. The winds were quite fluky in the east bay but we weathered Stonington where the rest of the fleet anchored for the night and ripped our way with a fair tide across Jericho Bay at 10.6 knots. The anchor hit the mud in Burnt Coat Harbor in time for dinner and a sunset walk ashore.

Have a great day. Be well. Do Good.
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Michele B said…
Congratulations Mary Day! You are not only the most beautiful ship to grace Camden harbor, but the fastest too! :) Thanks go to your terrific, hardworking crew. You make us all very proud!
July 7, 2011 at 4:28 AM
portable 60 said…
Sounds like a great day in the life of a schooner captain. Glad you had such favorable weather conditions and was able to win the race. Must have been much more fun than shoveling snow in Boothbay Harbor!
July 7, 2011 at 9:14 PM
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