Saturday’s season highlight was the annual wine tasting with sommelier extraordinaire Jack Bauman. Jack captivated the crowd once again with a new twist: the comparison of two wines of the same type of grape. One was higher priced and one was lower. The group took hand votes and it was surprising how many favored the less expensive of the pair. We are so grateful for Jack’s witty personality and vast experience in the field of wine.

Sunday was the annual Round-the-Island Race with Southport and Boothbay Harbor sailors competing for the coveted Trash Can Trophy. The wind was up and down spreading the fleet across the Sheepscot River. This pursuit-style race includes staggered start times to account for the different types of boats racing. When the fleet rounded the Cuckolds mark at the tip of Southport, the first boats included a Flying Dutchman, two classic Boothbay Harbor One Designs and a J-27. Sailing into the finish line, the wind died off of Burnt Island, so the leaders stalled as the rest of the fleet closed in. It was a photo finish with the Flying Dutchman (sailed by Chris Liberti, Sailing Program Director at BHYC) crossing the line a nose ahead of the J-27 RAZZLE (sailed by SYC Commodore Anne Grimes Rand). After racing for nearly ten miles and almost three hours, the two boats finished one second apart! There were many close finishes, followed by an after party at BHYC. Top finishers for Southport were RAZZLE, ORANJE (Keith Turley), FLIGHT (Kirk Leone) and EIDERDOWN (Will Keller). Boothbay's top finishers were GHO2T (Ken Colburn, who is also a member of SYC), BEVO (Cutis Hutcheson) and MUMTAZ (Nate Cagle). Southport junior sailors also competed in Boothbay Harbor last week during the Battle of the Bays. Southport junior sailors returned triumphant winning the Oar Trophy.

The weekend ahead includes the return of two popular events. The Five Islands Ice Cream Fun Race returns on Saturday, July 20 at 1 p.m. This fun event debuted last year during the Centennial Summer and it is back by popular demand. Racers sail from Cozy Harbor to Five Islands. There one crew member goes ashore to purchase ice cream for skipper and crew, before sailing back across the Sheepscot River. Everyone wins at this family-friendly event!

Friday evening is the SYC Cornhole Tournament at 6 featuring skilled teams tossing bean bags. This is a friendly competition that pairs well with socializing on the lawn.

Weekly coffees on the deck continue on Monday mornings at 9, with a good turnout this week. Pete Smith, president of the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation, hosted an informal informational meeting to answer questions about the junior sailing program. Ladies night on Tuesday evenings at 7 (BYOB) continue, rain or shine - all women are welcome for this relaxed gathering.

On the horizon we have the annual Lobster Bake on July 27. Tickets are online and there is a paper sign up at the club. The Lobster Bake is held in partnership with Cozy’s Dockside who caters the event right on the SYC grounds.

Please join us for the eleventh annual Rock the Boat 5K Run/Walk on Aug. 3. This event raises funds for the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation. It’s a wonderful community event and winners of each category win a pie. To register to run or walk visit our website or search for Rock the Boat 5K. We need a crew of volunteers to make the event happen. Please email hollyannabates@gmail.com if you’d like to lend a hand!