A spectacular Monday morning greeted families for the sixth week of the program. The bright sun and light breeze made it easy for the four new sailors to complete their swim tests. We welcome Gavin Holt, Olivia McCandles, Tilly Jones and Maeve Zimmer. Each one of these sailors did a fantastic job of swimming and drenching instructors, Jasper Houston and Annie Britton.  

Last week was a beautiful week for sailing in the morning class, and we were able to explore many areas of the Sheepscot River, including sailing by instructor Tim’s Reid’s house, who lives across the river in Five Islands. Reid makes the journey across the river every morning, so we thought it would be nice to see how it feels. Students were treated to a bald eagle perched on a tree in the harbor. It was awesome!

We ended the week of sailing with a trip to Powderhorn Island where the students explored the island, swam, and built incredible sand castles and sculptures. We also had a terrific week of sailing in the afternoon class.  

Wednesday afternoon was busy at SJYCSF, while students and instructors packed up eight Optimists, five 420s, and two launches in preparation for the Harraseeket Youth Regatta on Thursday and Friday.  Thank you to Luanne Webb, Laura Barnhard, Bob Houston, Sue and David Killian, Leslie Lily, Craig MacCormac, Jen Britton, and Linda Murphy for helping with the transportation of sailors and boats! Thursday started off slow. The races were postponed for thirty minutes due to thick fog and no wind. Once the fog began to lift, 420’s and Optis were towed out of the harbor and to the race course by their coaches. The first 420 race started off with a bang with David Turley and Jen Killian finishing in first and Jasper Houston and Annie Britton finishing in second. Both boats finished the race before the third place boat rounded the leeward mark. The other SYC boats finished well coming in the top third!

As the second race began the fog began to set in, but that was no challenge for our sailors as they once again led the fleet, all boats finishing similarly to the first race. Due to the fog all boats headed back into the safety of the harbor. Meanwhile, our Opti sailors were fighting hard to battle the tough competition and the thick fog.

Friday once again started off slow. Again, with thick fog and little wind, races were postponed for ten minutes. As the fog lifted, the wind began to fill in and boats made their way to the starting line. All three 420 races went well with most SYC boats placing in the top third. Meanwhile at the opti course, our young sailors continued to fight against the competition.

At the end of the regatta, all three of our Opti green fleet sailors placed in the top ten, with Ethan Barnard in eighth, Max Freund in fourth and Blake Erhard finishing second! All three sailors finished impressively as it was their first regatta. In the Opti championship fleet, SYC had one sailor place in the top ten with Andrew Turley finishing fourth. Our 420 sailors had a very successful regatta with Amy MacDonald and Jessica Murphy finishing in twentieth , Nuala Spillane and Megan Roach in eleventh, David Wollins and Grant Auber in eighth, Jasper Houston and Annie Britton in second, and David Turley and Jen Killian finishing in first place with an amazing four first place finishes and one second place finish out of the five races! Nice work sailors!

At the Southport Yacht Club, many of the same sailors compete in their own race series on a weekly basis. This week, the sailors held four races and the results were as follows: Race 1: (1) Jasper Houston and Annie Britton (2) David Turley and Jen Killian (3) Bill Jacobs and Drew Stern.

Race 2: (1) Jasper Houston and Annie Britton (2) David Turley and Jen Killian (3) Nuala Spillane and Meagan Roach. Race 3: (1) David Turley and Jen Killian (2) Emily Bryant and Haley MacCormac (3) Sherm Brewer and Drew Stern. Race 4: (1) Jasper Houston and Annie Britton (2) Nuala Spillane and Megan Roach (3) Sherm Brewer and Drew Stern. Overall: (1) Jasper Houston and Annie Britton with 8 points (2) David Turley and Jen Killian with 15 points (3) Nuala Spillane and Megan Roach with 25 points

On Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m., all Foundation sailors and their families are welcome to join us for the annual end-of-year banquet. Tickets are $7 per person and must be purchased in advance at SYC just before 9 a.m., just after noon, just before 1 p.m. and just after 4 p.m.