September 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 7.
A GREAT DAY FOR MAINE RETIRED SKIPPER'S RACE
Ernest Burt's GITANA heading for the finish.
Jim Raber's PETREL, which is a L. Francis Herreshoff, heading for the finish.
A total of 33 yachts competed in this
line just 34 minutes and 38 seconds after
year’s race on 15 August, which with the
FALCON, which meant that all racers were
perfect conditions afforded made for one of
over the line by 1600 hrs.
the most incredible events in recent
Thankfully this year the Race
memories.
Committee heard no protests. However they
The skies were mostly clear with
did hear plenty on the time issue. Some
scattered clouds, and very, very warm on
wondered why a general recall had not been
shore. However with the sou’west breeze
given, but with the numerous skippers, who
racers stayed very comfortable as they made
do not race consistently and the size of the
their way out to the starting line at the mouth
flags, it was deemed that this would have
of Castine Harbour. With the sou’west wind
caused much more confusion. One can bet
the Race Committee chose Course A, which
that next year a working GPS will be on board
would start the racers on a reach over to a
the committee boat!
drop mark off Turtle Head, down the eastern
Once ashore many of the skippers and
shore of Islesboro to another drop mark off
their crews enjoyed a get together, before
Islesboro Ledge back to the start/finish line
partaking in the barbequed chicken dinner
of Castine Harbour, then out to Turtle Head
prepared by Jeff’s Catering of Brewer. Once
and back to the finish. The total distance for
dinner was complete the many awards were
this course is 11.7 miles.
handed out.
A major problem developed due to no
AWARDS
Lawrence Mutty's FLICKER battling Rick Clapp on APPLAUSE at the finish line.
working GPS on board the committee boat.
The Henry Whitney Challenge Cup,
The time keeper synchronized his watch to
donated by the family of Francis W. Hatch.
what he believed was the correct time and
Must be won three times for permanent
started the racing sequence. Unfortunately
possession, goes to the first place captain.
his time differed from GPS, being five minutes
John Gardner
slower. As most racers use the GPS time for
The Gitina/Day Trophy, donated by
their start, and do not pay attention to the
Captain Ernest Burt in honour of John Day,
flags raised on the committee boat, the first
goes to the first place yacht owner. Robert
few boats went over the line five minutes
Scott, FALCON
early. Another problem was that the flags
The President’s Cup, donated by J. B.
flown by the committee boat were too small
Waters, goes to the second place captain.
and many of the racers could not determine
Dick Greenfield
where the race committee was in the
The Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Memorial
sequence.
Cup, donated by the family of George F.
With several boats over the line, Race
Bryant goes to the second place yacht
Committee head Jon Johansen, realized the
owner. Butch Minson, CATSPAW
problem and made the decision to add five
The Philip Buxton Trophy, donated by
minutes to those who had gone over the line
the family of Philip Buxton, goes to the third
early and then made an announcement via
place captain. Gary Bennett.
VHF radio to those who had not started to
The Captain Philip Haskell Memorial
add five minutes to their start times. Despite
Cup, donated by the family of Captain
this, others crossed the line early and those
Haskell, goes to the fourth place captain.
also had five minutes added to their times.
Charles Fahey
With the great sailing conditions all
The Captain William Abbott Trophy,
racers were off by 1348 hrs., the last boat
donated by “Maine Coastal News”, for the
being REVOLUTION IX, sailed by Admiral
first woman skipper to finish the race. Judith
Ted Rogers, who at the age of 93 had his work
Chiara
Moose Island
cut out trying to catch the rest of the fleet.
The Captain Leroy H. Greenlaw
The racers made their way quickly
Memorial Trophy, donated by the family of
MARINE
around the course. The first boat to round
Lawrence P. Greenlaw, is awarded to the
the third mark off Castine Harbour was
captain who finishes first in the lower half of
853-6058
FALCON, sailed by John Gardner, followed
the fleet (determined by ratings) provided he
closely by CATS PAW, Dick Greenfield.
has not won another prize. Dick Stanley,
Commercial and Recreational Boat Supplies
Most of the rest of the fleet was close on their
ABSINTHE
Boat Storage
stern. A surprise was REVOLUTION IX,
The Elizabeth Merriman Cup, donated
INDOOR · OUTDOOR · POWER · SAIL
which was deep in the fleet, having not made
by Mrs. Anne Kraut and friends, is awarded
16 to 45 ft. Haul out to 40 tons
up much time on the other racers on the first
to the yacht club that finishes first with three
three legs.
or more entrants. Castine Yacht Club
Boat Winterization
FALCON held on for the win, with CATS
The Mace Eaton Trophy is financed by
INBOARD · OUTBOARD · STERNDRIVE
PAW a mere 40 seconds back. The first
subscription and is awarded to the captain of Boat Repair ·Restoration
woman to cross the line was Judith Chiara
the first planked wooden boat to finish. John
WOOD · FIBERGLASS
sailing SUSANNA, and the all women’s crew
Gardner, FALCON
Boat Repowering
on FEARLESS, skippered by Andrea
The Retired Skippers Race Committee
Devereux, came in eighth. REVOLUTION IX
Trophy, awarded to the Captain of the fastest
Save on winter jobs.
did make up a lot of time on the last two legs
boat in the race, handicap not withstanding
Shrink Wrap
coming in tenth. The last boat, WESTERN
Continued on Page 20.
WAY, sailed by Walter Guinon, crossed the
Hours: M-F 8-4:30 · Sat. 9-2 Online store: www.mooseislandmarine.com
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