Class 40 Racing Yachts Head to the Start Line for One of Two Races This Afternoon. The Tops of the Sails are Level Rather Than a Triangle to Take Advantage of More Sail to Get More Wind.

Peter Milholland, Drove the Casco Baykeeper for Guests During the Two Day Third Leg Ending This Afternoon. He Runs the Volunteer Programs at the Friends of Casco Bay non-profit, South Portland. pmilholland@cascobay.org

The Race Committee Boat off Fort Allen Park.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,613)

Captain Botin Accepts the First Place Award in Portland’s First Atlantic Cup Participation. To His Right is His Crew Member Pablo ?  To His Left is Firgureehead Mayor Strimling and Hugh Piggin, One of Two Race Directors  for the Atlantic Cup.

Gonzalo Botin, Captain  of Tales 2, won the Atlantic Cup late this afternoon in Portland following a race that began in Charleston, South Carolina.  The award was presented to the Spanish captain in the rain on the back of El Galleon. Tales 2 accumulated an impressive total of 69 points winning the first two legs of the offshore race and two of the five inshore races in Portland Harbor yesterday. (See below left photo.)

Finishing  second, was the French Erlandil, owned and co-skippered by Catherine Pourre. Although the rain held off for most of the third  leg of the race, it poured during the award ceremony late this afternoon on Maine Wharf.

The mysterious inner workings of racing were unraveled some when mhn.com had the rewarding opportunity to watch two races from the Friends of Casco Bay 28 ft. research vessel Casco Baykeeper, captioned by John Milholand. this afternoon.  At the outset of the race, the Race Committee Boat announced there were nine different courses that would be considered for the race courses.  The decision is based on wind conditions and is announced just moments before the race starts.  Todays two races were characterized by lighter winds than yesterday and thus calmer seas, although the sun never shone through.

Spinnakers were used frequently.  They are used to take advantage of the wind behind them.  Spinnakers are lighter in weight than a main sail and thus more vulnerable to ripping than other sails.

Between Race 1 and Race 2 there was a half hour to 45 minute delay while the Portland Fire Boat brought an ill person from Peaks Island to Portland for medical assistance.

The Race Committee Boat is “all powerful”. according to Milholland.  Committee members on board can: disqualify yachts, penalize yachts for starting too soon, (like calling off-sides in football) can make course decisions, can call off races if necessary and do announce the winner of each race.

An after party was held at nearby RiRa.

Manuka Sports Event Management LLC, based in Newport, Rhode Island, has indicated the strong possibility it will return to Portland Harbor in 2018.  That final decision will be made within the next few months.

Please see three prior posts herein for more background information on the Atlantic Cup in Portland.