The 2013 sailing season has begun at the SJYCSF. Monday morning, July 1 was foggy as the new sailors prepared to take their swim test. Despite the foggy conditions a crowd of parents and sailors gathered to watch the swimmers jump into the cold Maine water.

In total, there were 12 new sailors: Juliann Hall, Meredith Hill, Rafael Goldhirsch, Henry Maddox, William Sherrill, Nathan Hutzellmann, Lenka Bauman, Journey Bennet, Julius Bennet, Robert Shaw, Ella Freund and Victoria Freund. The SJYCSF would like to welcome all new sailors to the program.

This year the SJYCSF was able to purchase 12 brand new Laser Performance 420s for our advanced program. We would like to thank everyone who donated to make the purchase of these new boats possible. Soon each boat will be named and we will welcome the fleet with a christening ceremony.

Our advanced sailors are thrilled to be able to sail the new boats this summer and greatly appreciate your contributions. In addition to new boats the SJYCSF purchased new sails, lines, spinnakers and spinnaker poles.

The sailors will race these boats each week and practice skills on a daily basis at SYC. We look forward to taking them on the road to the Junior Olympic Sailing Festival at Boothbay Yacht Club in two weeks. We wish all our sailors luck.

The intermediate turnabout and opti sailors also kicked off their season this week. Although it was rainy and foggy at the beginning of the week, sailors were excited to get back on the water and begin a competitive racing season once again.

In addition, Junior officers for the SJYCSF were elected on Monday. This year's officers are as follows: Jasper Houston (Commodore), David Turley (Vice Commodore), Jen Killian (Treasurer), Annie Britton and Haley MacCormac (Secretaries), Kelly Phippen, Kiley Roach, Alex Webb, Emma Jacobs, Sally Apolinsky, Maddie Gaudette, Max Freund, Andrew Turley, Tessa Houston, Jo Shaw and Dane Phippen (Afternoon Representatives).

Although the first week at the SJYCSF began with rain and fog, the week ended with sunny skies and windy conditions. On Thursday, July 4, our first day of sun, the beginner sailors participated in the annual Independence Day challenge.

Sailors were divided into several teams and competed in a variety of fun challenges such as: an egg toss, a rowing race, a rigging race, a sailing race, a watermelon swim, a knot relay, a Saltine whistling contest, and a bubble gum blowing competition. All teams were competitive but ultimately the Green Team won, closely followed by the Black and Purple teams.

In the afternoon, the 420 sailors participated in their weekly race day. In total there were 13 boats on the line; this was a SJYCSF record. The SJYCSF would once again like to thank all those who contributed to help purchase the new boats and make this record possible.

With 15 boats in total, the 420 class is now able to accommodate 30 advanced sailors. On race day, the sailors raced a total of three close and competitive races. In the first race, Jasper Houston and Annie Britton got first followed by David Turley and Jen Killian (2nd). In the next race, David Turley and Jen Killian placed first with David Wollins and Grant Auber in second. In the final race, Jasper Houston and Annie Britton took first followed once again by David Turley and Jen Killian. The day resulted in an overall win for Jasper Houston and Annie Britton with a close second by David Turley and Jen Killian.

The intermediate Opti and Turnabout sailors both held their race days on Friday July 5. All sailors battled heavy winds and worked hard to keep their boats flat. In the Opti fleet Andrew Turley placed 1st overall and Max Freund followed in second.

In Turnabouts, Isabelle Abaldo and Nate Rideout received first with Isaiah Reid and Devin Pai in second. Turnabout sailors also showed their competitive spirit and some raced for the first time in the intermediate class.

The second week began on Monday, July 8. Although at first there was no wind, a light breeze soon filled in from the east and the sun appeared from behind the clouds, promising another beautiful day of sailing on the Sheepscot. In total, the beginner class had 9 new sailors this week. We welcome Eliza Moreno, Sofia Stenberg, Isaac Thompson, Sawyer Linehan, Jon Swan, Penelope White, Caitlin McPhee, Mary Wallace and Isabelle Halperin, who all took their swim tests.

The staff is excited for summer 2013 and we look forward to great sailing.