There was nothing average about the 27th Anniversary Downeast Regatta that took place this past weekend. In all 33 boats made it to the line for two days of racing on Casco Bay.
On Saturday there was a pleasant 8 to 10 knot southwest breeze that eventually shifted to the west ahead of a cold front that produced a bit more wind around 12 knots for the last of four races. The current and winds were shifting all day which provided for some not-so consistent finishes. The Race Committee lead by Mark Toso did a wonderful job of keeping up with changing conditions and ran four great races.
After day one the two most consistent performances were by the tied regatta leaders Sticky Fingers from Lunenburg, Canada andDogfish from Newport, RI, both boats accumulated 18 points. These two boats were closely followed by Al, Eskimo Sisters andBuschwacker who were all just a few points behind.
Click here for photos from day 1 by Ann Blanchard
Click here for photos from day 1 by Shirley Fox
After racing, an excellent twin lobster dinner was enjoyed by everyone under the tent at Portland Yacht Club and the band got going around 7:30 with great tunes all night long. Everyone enjoyed the complimentary Gritty’s Beer and Double Cross Vodka plus treats by Gourmet Barbara.
Sunday brought the back side of the cold front and a northwest wind that started off light but just before the first start blew up to about 20 knots and kept building throughout the day. Many local cruisers out on the bay said the winds were a consistent 25 to 30 with gusts to 35 for most of the afternoon. Two races were held and despite quite a few broaches and wipeouts, no one was hurt and many huge smiles were seen on the dock once everyone got back to shore. Sticky Fingers, skippered by John Whynacht, kept their consistent performance, with a second and fourth place finishes, to win the regatta. Al moved up in the standing to second with a first and a third place finish, to place second overall.
Click here for photos from day 2 by Ann Blanchard
The 2013 Downeast Regatta was a US world qualifier regatta and the spot went to the first not-already qualified boat which wasEskimo Sisters, skippered by Tim Corbett from Newport, RI.
The Fleet Award presented to the top three boats from a J/24 Fleet was presented to Fleet 50 and Dogfish who place 3rd overall,Eskimo Sisters who placed 4th overall and On the Beach who placed 6th overall.
Click here for full race results.
Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers and participants that made this year’s Downeast Regatta a very special event.