Portland Yacht Club's Patrick Wahlig sailed consistently well (2, 3, 2, 2) to take a two point lead into today's racing in the Championship fleet over Boothbay's Hamilton Barclay (8, 1, 1, 1).  Racing for the coveted Main State Optimist Championship Trophy brought 62 sailors to Boothbay Thursday and Friday for the finale of the Northeast Junior Olympic Festival hosted by Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club at its new Sailing & Education Center.

Racing got underway about 11:30 in a soft 3-5 knot breeze from the south.  Barclay, Hallie McSweeney of Agamenticus Yacht Club, Oliver Lardner of Kollidgewidgewok Yacht Club and another boat were in a four-way battle at the leeward mark of Race 1 when a 40 degree shift to the SSW occurred.  Lardner and Barclay sailed towards the shift but found themselves in very light air as they made the transition to the right side of the course.  Wahlig and McLean rounding in 8th and 9th went up the left side of the course on what increasingly became a fetch to the weather mark and took the lead.  Boothbay's Barclay, the current Maine State Champion finished 8th. 

Race Committee moved the weather and gate marks to adjust for the wind shift in Race 2 which was now coming from 230 degrees at 8 knots.  Barclay got a clean start leading from the first cross and sailed to a large win rising to second place overall.  Race 3 and Race 4 saw race committee adjust the course east then west as the wind oscillated 20-25 degrees.  Race Committee members did some of the best RC work seen in the northeast for the young sailors to have good courses. 

Race 4 was perhaps the most exciting of the day as Wahlig and Barclay both started well but on opposite sides of the line.  When they crossed, first Wahlig was ahead, then Barclay.  The lead swapped several times until nearing the first weather mark Barclay took control.  However, Wahlig then pressed close to Barclay downwind passing briefly till Barclay jibed got inside and took control again with his boom on port and Wahlg's on starboard.  The starboard tack boat pressed their rule advantage.  Both sailors saw their substantial lead diminish as they sailed high off to the east to gain on one another.  Barclay rounded the left leeward gate mark first and covered for the win by over 1 minute.  The pair tacked their 7' 8" boats more than 30 times during the race while seeking advantage over shifts and each other.  

Racing continues Friday with the winner crowned Maine State Optimist Champion.