ROCKLAND and PORTLAND — On Saturday, May 2, Rockland Community Sailing hosted the Breakwater Blast, a junior varsity regatta with six teams competing: RCS, Camden, Islesboro, Cheverus, Southern Maine, and Boothbay/Lincoln. 

Southern Maine and Camden entered second teams, while Camden and Islesboro combined for another, making a total of nine entrants. 

With sun and a southerly breeze blowing around 10 knots, it was a perfect day for racing in the harbor. Teams competed in each of two divisions (“A” and “B”).  The race committee of Peter Clapp, Noreen Mullaney, and Rona Spear ran six races in each division for a total of 12 overall.

For many of the sailors this was their first real regatta experience, and for some a chance to skipper when they normally crew.

In general, all sailors demonstrated consistent improvement throughout the day.

Islesboro’s Emily Lau and Ava Schlottman had a memorable moment, executing a fantastic port tack start that led to a first place finish after having completed at next to last in the previous race. Other local sailors participating were Warren Galloway, Andy Bird, Isabel Corona-Ferlato, Elliot Spear, Josh Morehouse, Hannah Chase, Isabel Swanson, Hans Christian Angel, Amanda Mirabile, Sawyer King, Emmet Acosta, Theo Penny, and Thatcher Chamberlin.

Final standings had Southern Maine’s two teams placing first and second tied on points, with Southern Maine #1 winning the tie-break. Islesboro came in third (A-Division: EvaMarie Olson and Rylee Sienkiewicz; B-Division: Emily Lau and Ava Schlottman).  Southern Maine #1 won A-division with a perfect six points in six races. Islesboro’s Emily Lau and Ava Schlottman won B-division, edging out Southern Maine #2 by one point. The parents, sailors, coaches, and volunteers all contributed in making the Breakwater Blast a successful event.

 Breakwater Blast Scores:

In other racing action, on Sunday, May 3 the RCS and Camden Hills High School sailing teams traveled to Portland Harbor to sail the "Perfect Score" team racing regatta, hosted by Falmouth High School at SailMaine.

Team racing is a fast-paced form of the sport that combines the allure of sailing with the dynamics of team sports. 

The format pits two teams of three boats on a short course, where the combined team score determines the winner.

The racing rules are used aggressively to control opposing boats and help teammates advance position. 

Five teams participated: Cheverus, RCS, CHRHS, Falmouth, and Mount Desert Island.

The RCS High School team (Jill, Warren, and Peter Galloway, Jess Dunn, Hannah Chase, and Isabel Corona-Ferlauto placed third, and CHRHS (Simon Morin/Sophie Moore, Ella Simon/Marley O’Neal and Hugh Levitt/Erin Dowd) took second place overall.

Windjammer head coach Sam Zwecker said, “We are very proud of our sailors who struggled in their first pairing against Falmouth, but used what they learned to go on and win the rest of their matches.”

One such match was a dramatic third race tiebreak win against RCS to determine second place overall. RCS coach Patrick DiLalla said, “I was so psyched to see our sailors out there figuring out this new and more complex style of racing, and having fun while doing it." 

Next weekend RCS will send two teams to Portland for the Northern New England Champs at SailMaine and then on to Castine for the DownEast Fleet Racing Invitational hosted by Maine Maritime Academy.

Despite having to bail snow from the boats on the first day of practice, Spring High School Sailing at Rockland Community Sailing has been off to a good start. This year there are more young Maine sailors than ever, from Portland to Mount Desert Island, out on the water enjoying the sweet spring winds.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.