Boothbay hosted the Pen Bay #3 regatta Oct. 22. Unlike the previous two Pen Bay regattas held in light and medium winds, this event tested sailors’ athleticism as the second cold front of the weekend saw gusts and downdrafts capsize experienced and agile high school sailors. Two competitors suffered athletic-induced asthma attacks and were brought to shore by Isleboro coach Mike Horn. The goal for these events is to run ten 20-minute races in four hours. The format is modified with no boat rotations to maximize the number of races completed. The forecast suggested ten races were possible.

Teams from MDI, George Stevens Academy (GSA), Islesboro, and Rockland challenged Boothbay’s BRHS series lead after winning the first two events. Meeting at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club’s new Sailing & Education Center, racing got underway shortly after the teams arrived. The K.C. Heyniger Bowl is awarded to the team with the best combined score in fall Pen Bay regattas. Rockland (2016) and Islesboro (2017) previously won the trophy which honors the first director/coach of Rockland Community Sailing (RCS). RCS’s success spawned Islesboro, Camden Hills, and GSA to form teams. Other charter members of the league include MDI High School Sailing Team and Boothbay.

Boothbay sailors Kate Wickline and Nate Rideout, Toby Clarkson and Alton Coolidge, Ella Beauregard and Hamilton Barclay paired up to sail three boats for Boothbay. Della Hahn and Hannah Hills stood ready to substitute.

In race 1, Beauregard and Barclay, Clarkson and Coolidge, started near the pin and went to shore while Rideout and Wickline went to the middle of the harbor. Sailing close to the Maine State Aquarium lawn the two Boothbay boats rounded the weather mark 1-2 with Rideout and Wickline in 6th. Boothbay soon found themselves chased by boats with strengthening winds behind them. Close to the leeward gate a gust sent five boats careening into capsizes. Boothbay boats remained upright with Beauregard and Barclay finishing 1st, Rideout/Wickline in 3rd, and Coolidge/Clarkson in 5th. A rapid-fire finish of boats in places 2 through 7 challenged scorekeepers.

The start of the second race was delayed while sailors met with coaches. Race 2 was a repeat of race 1 with a prolonged but weaker blast. Racing was called for the day after a 28 knot blast hit, as Rideout and Wickline finished race 3 with both at full hike, sails fully eased, and the boom dragging in the water.

Beauregard and Barclay finished (1, 3, 4) with 8 points tied for first with MDI’s Lucas and Nate Ingbritson. Clarkson and Coolidge finished in 6th place with 14 points while Wickline and Rideout finished in 7th with 15 points.

Boothbay won the Pen Bay #1 regatta in Rockland and Pen Bay #2 in Castine on Columbus Day. Second place in Pen Bay #3 at home was enough to win the series (1, 1, 2) with five points while MDI, Rockland, and Islesboro tied with nine points followed by GSA, and Southern Maine.

The Heyniger Bowl now resides with Boothbay until won by another team. The BRHS sailing team is supported by the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club and the BHYC Junior Program Foundation.