How can we open today with anything but a piece on the 44th annual Regatta which clearly was the “sailboat racing event of the year” on the Maine Coast. Thirty-four sailboats ranging from 20 feet to 42 feet in length came to the start line for two days of racing , the first in rather heavy fog ( Saturday) and beautiful sunshine and wind on Sunday.

Starting with the Cruising Class out of 10 boats racing, CALIENTE skippered by Past Commodore Bob Scribner of East Boothbay, took the top honors followed by GREYHAWK (Tim Allen) and in third FIDDLERS GREEN, a Portland-based boat. In the BHOD class, C FEVER ( Carol Matwiczyk) finished a strong first followed by Deanna Clarkson sailing OSPREY and in third Jon Dunsford sailing BITTERSWEET. Pan Burke, Alex Herger, Richard Rush and Cathy Latta all were in the pack as well.

In the growing J-80 division, GHOST, out of Green Island and sailed by Todd LaLumier, was a 3-point victor over Craig and Madeline Preston (SKY ROCKET), who came all the way from London for this and other BHYC races. Finishing third was FIREBOLT skippered by stand in  for Bill Hunt) Charles Barclay with a Hank Spencer award winning young crew of Hamilton Barclay, Ella Beauregard and Toby Clarkson. Also in the hunt was Chip Baler and Dwight Poler in WIRED and Jeff Curtis sailing SILKIE.

The Racing Class was divided into two divisions , the first was won by Ken Colburn’s APPARITION finishing handily over KAOS II, a perennial visitor from Portland, skippered by Scott Smithwick. Five other boats rounded out that field.

In Division 2, local sailor Carol Lloyd and her crew featuring daughter Sally Lloyd (former BHYC Junior Program director) sailing DOTSY finished handily over Southport boat WABI SABI and two other entries.

The exit report from almost every competitor, as told to this reporter, was over and over again, “Best regatta on the Coast of Maine”... “well run by pro Hank Stuart,” ”beautiful club,” “fabulous volunteers running the event” ! Let’s get started on number 45 for 2019.

The Sunday night lobsters were quickly devoured and goals turned to upcoming club events including Jon Dunsford’s talk on his building of the model BLUENOSE, a vital presentation on the LifeFlight helicopter program in Maine and many other activities. Tonight., Thursday, at the cocktail hour the hosts are the M to Z last names from Southport. Last week’s hosts were Southport A-L so thanks to all. Tonight is also a membership committee orientation event.

This coming weekend is the Commodores Cup series continuation and the BHOD One Design Regatta (Sunday) as well as the Stellar J’s playing in the dining room for Prime Rib night. And on Sunday the tennis calcutta tournament and dinner also will keep the parking lot busy.

Looking to the near future we have a kayak trip on Monday organized by Sharma Schacknow and on the 7th, bestselling author Lynne Olson, “Citizens of London” and “Last Hope Island,” will be featured in the Author series. Reservations for all of these events will be a necessity as both are extremely popular.

The Starry Starry Night Dinner dance is already sold out but is on the card for many members and friends.

Take a deep breath and organize your calendars for a busy August which will also feature another big race, The U.S. East Coast J-80 Championship, and the ever popular antique car event.