The series started out on Saturday under cloudy, but dry, skies. The first race, an anchor start, saw Bongo Bob on Five O’Clock take line honors with Katarena and Porpoise following to the first mark. After the turn and a short run to the second mark, Porpoise went east and Katarena headed NW trying to figure the best route to the finish line with Porpoise, Katarena and Five O’Clock crossing the finish line in that order. The second race saw Taina taking line honors under steadily clearing skies. Porpoise and O’Blackmagic shot up the course closely followed by Katarena.

After a long 2 mile tack to the north, the racers had to turn east to get to the mark and after finally rounding the mark and most boats having done their required 360 degree turn,  it was a long broad reach run down to the finish line with Porpoise, O’Blackmagic and Katarena finishing 1, 2, 3.  The third race had a beautiful start with almost every boat at the line for the start. June Bug won the line honors, but was soon past by the fleet, as most of the boats stayed packed together for the first turn and the run across the river to the second mark.  After that the fleet spread out for the run back east and then the turn south for the finish. Again Porpoise was the first to cross the line followed by Katarena and O’Blackmagic. By now all the sailors were ready to return to the marina and dig into food at the ‘downeast boil’, get a goodnight’s sleep and get ready for the last two races on Sunday.

Sunday – Starts out cloudy and very windy, but 12 boats still showed up to race. Unfortunately Naver went aground right at the start of the race and there was no way to unground her until the race finished. Because of the wind and the committee boat dragging it’s anchor it was a very chaotic start with some boats making 3, 4 or more attempts to cross the start line. A short sailors choice race, all captains elected to go northeast to marker 8 and with Taina, Porpoise, Jaca and Wind Song crossing on the first attempt and they led the way with Taina taking line honors. At the finish it was Taina, Porpoise and Jaca crossing the finish line in that order. After a short delay while Naver was ungrounded we started the final race with much reduced wind. Reefed sails were let out to grab all the breeze we could find and we had a slow start with Ecstacy crossing the start line first. At the first mark it was Porpoise, Katarena and Five O’Clock in that order. The leaders stayed that way throughout the race to the finish. After all the boats reported into the clubhouse, Bongo Bob’s computer was ready to spit out the final, combined results of the weekend.

Third place went to ‘birthday boy’ Joe O’Black on O’Blackmagic. Second place to Harry on Sine, captained by Sam. First place went to Craig on Porpoise. The Dragging Anchor award was claimed by Kevin on Team Double K.

Next month’s race will be on November 8. Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing. Bongo Bob Norway