October 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 19. The Friendship Sloop Races By Laurie Fullerton An enduring tradition brought together
a society of sailors that is like no other on the Maine Coast this past July 21-23 with the 56th annual Friendship sloop homecoming rendezvous and races held in Rockland, Maine.
Marked by some of the most spectacular
sailing conditions in recent memory, the three-day event featured consistent 20-25 knot breezes favored by these heavy boats. The ideal conditions made it a fast and fun regatta where old friendships and rivalries were re-kindled and sailing skills were put to the test.
Changes to the overall handicapped rat- ing system among the fl eets meant that this year there were new calculations based on past performances that determined a kind of ‘rating’ for each boat that truly helped even out the racing sloops. The change was meant to make the
racing as even as possible, which also al- lowed for some new names on the podium. This year, Miff Lauriat on “Salatia” won the State of Maine/overall trophy and also won division I. Scott Martin on “Eden” came in second in Division 1 and Greg Merrill on “Celebration” placed third. In Division II, Andy Zuber on “Gladiator” took fi rst place with Tad Beck on “Phoenix” placing second and Victor Goulding on “Inherit-the-Wind” placing third. Not only is the Friendship sloop society
about competition but the annual homecom- ing is about lasting friendships that bring families together who have been coming to the sloop events for generations. What that means is every once in awhile there is an opportunity for a ‘coming of age’ story and such was the case this year during the Rockland races. During this year’s regatta, the sloop
“Phoenix” owned by Tad Beck needed a mainsail trimmer so skipper Beck asked longtime friends Cindy Pendleton and Bill Cronin of the sloop “Tannis” if he could recruit their 14-year old son, Braman, for mainsail duties. Over the three days, Braman Cronin worked the main sail through some of the biggest breezes and tightest racing in recent memory. “Thirty years ago, a teenage Bill Cronin
took the bus to Maine to sail with my father and I on board “Phoenix”,” said Tad Beck. “Our main competition was his father Jack aboard “Tannis.” In the fi rst race, we were storming up on “Tannis” and Bill yelled out, “Hey Dad, get out of the way. We’re racing!” Thirty years later, we still talk about that moment. This summer I invited Bill’s 14-year old son Braman to race with me on “Phoenix.” It seemed only appropriate that Braman be given the main sheet as well, which is no small job on a Friendship in a strong breeze. Braman is a bit more soft spoken than his father, but in large part due to his excellent sailing, he was able to give his dad a taste of his own medicine three days in a row.” One of the other high points of the
Friendship sloop society gathering was a lobster bake at the Steam, Sail & Power mu- seum owned by Jim and Meg Sharp. Sharp and his crew of volunteers are continuing extensive restoration of the 33’ Friendship sloop “Blackjack” originally designed and built by Wilbur Morse 115 years ago. The lobster bake served as a fundraiser for the ongoing work that now includes a new stem, new frames and fl oors and new planking. Today, the Friendship sloop is the offi cial boat of the state of Maine; enjoyed most when they are being used, sailed, lived on and loved. “The important thing to me is that our friendship sloop society is not just some-
thing that we merely belong to, but we have a relationship with a maritime legacy that is special and unique. Sailing Friendship Sloops makes us stewards of a tradition that is every bit as synonymous with Maine as is Moxie, L.L. Bean and lobster!” A complete list of the 2016 Rockland trophies are as follows The 2016 FSS Rockland Trophies Non-Racing trophies
The Nickerson Trophy – For youngest
crew, Andrew Zimmerman The Chrissy Trophy – Woman who
keeps boat, crew, family together. Caroline Cronin
The Cy Hamlin Trophy – Skipper who
returns after long absence. Kathy Newman Watson The Gladiator Trophy – Sailing furthest distance. “Petrel” – Bill Lindquist The Danforth Trophy – Middle of the
fl eet. “Rights of Man” – Wayne Cronin Owner-Builder Trophy – Owner/build-
er/restorer. “Old Baldy” – Dan & Kathy Watson The Tannis Award - 7th overall. “Saz- arac”, Steve Majors
Spirit of Friendship – Kathy Whitney Liberty Trophy – First bald-headed
sloop. “Gladiator”, Bill/Andy Zuber The Rum Line Trophy for Class “A” sloops – “Gladiator”, Bill/Andy Zuber The Jarvis Newman Trophy - Honors
builder of Fiberglass Pemaquid Sloops. “Salatia”, Miff Lauriet The Stanley Cup – Honors contribution to the FSS, Laurie Raymond Ray of Hope - Honors someone who has overcome a challenge – Nancy Toppan Racing trophies
Division II – 3rd Place – The Rockland
Trophy – “Inherit-the-Wind”, Victor Gould- ing
Division I – 3rd Place – Lash Brothers
Trophy – “Celebration”, Greg Merrill Class “A” – 2nd Place – Charles Morse
Trophy – “Sazarac”, Steve Majors Division II – 2nd Place – Gordon
Winslow Trophy – “Phoenix”, Tad Beck Division I – 2nd Place – Bruno and
Stillman Trophy – “Eden”, Scott Martin Class “A” 1st Place – Wilber Morse
Trophy – “Gladiator”, Bill/Andy Zuber Division II 1st Place – The Commo-
dore’s Trophy – “Gladiator”, Bill/Andy Zuber
Division I 1st Place – Herald Jones
Trophy – “Salatia”, Miff Lauriet Overall Winner - The State-of-Maine
Trophy – “Salatia”, Miff NEED TO MOVE YOUR BOAT? CALL YORK'S BOAT TRANSPORTATION
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