By Carol McCracken

The tent is up and final preparations have been made for a landmark event on the Hill waterfront 6/6.  It’s an opportunity for students of SAILMAINE  to sail on some of the best larger racing boats involved in the recreational Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Circuit.  It’s also an opportunity for skippers of racing boats to find crew members for the upcoming race season.   This event is the result of a new partnership formed  by SAILMAINE and  “GMORA” for the occasion.

Jeff Cumming, sailing master of SAIL MAINE, said late this afternoon that 16 racing boats,, up to 46 ft. long, have signed up for the Regatta.  SAILMAINE coaches will assign students as crew on participating boats based on experience, skills, and preferences.  One racing boat not signed up for the event and docked at Portland Yacht Services dock is the internationally- known,  Ocean Planet.  The boat is owned by Bruce Schwab who raced in the Vendee Globe, out of France, a few years ago.  He’s on his way up to his home port of Robinhood Marina after spending the winter in the Caribbean.  Schwab no longer races.

The Regatta will feature a pig roast and party on Portland Yacht Services’ property following the event.  The public is invited to attend both the pig roast and the party.

Weather permitting, there should be great views of the action from Ft. Allen Park on the Eastern Promenade.  Should there be some rain, Jeff said:  “These sailors can take some rain!”