Cups And Communities
23 September 2024 | Rockland, ME
Monday 16 September 2024
Another beautiful sail overnight. Slowed to await daylight before getting into trap lines, which seemed even thicker than when we left. Prices are reported lower as fall approaches so plan to eat enough lobster to blow up like the blueberry girl in Willy Wonka.
For those who haven't kept up, but might care about extreme sailboat racing in foiling monohulls that can achieve fifty knots, American and Swiss teams, both zero and four, each won their first race of the day to stay alive before wind died to suspend further activity. Racing again Wednesday starting 0800 EDT against Italians and British respectively, both teams must win next four races to compete for Louis Vuitton Cup. Winner will challenge Kiwis for America's Cup.
Some crew napping while others tap out twaddle for aberrant amusement.
Friday
In America's Cup racing Swiss won one more and Americans won two more in most exciting racing of the regatta, but now Brits and Italians are in Louis Vuitton final starting next Thursday. We love our Italian friends, but GO Ineos Brittania!
Belfast, which despite its name apparently doesn't have an Irish Pub, is an old and pretty town where a goodly portion of the waterfront is taken by the Front Street Boat Yard including a four hundred ton Travelift and a one fifty. Those are big, but saw a six hundred in Brisbane and the company actually makes a fifteen hundred. Yowzer! Can't lift an aircraft carrier, but could do OK with our measly nineteen tons.
Saturday
Camden is the prettiest town we've found in Maine. It's filled with fine old sea captain's homes and large rambling summer cottages of wealthy big city families. Music and culture flourish with an opera house and amphitheater hosting harp and Shakespeare festivals among others. Because of its picturesque scenery it has been the setting for movies Carousel, Peyton Place and others. The tight inner harbor with numerous traditional schooners is idyllic and a large outer bay is excellent as a visitor anchorage. Finally, Camden hosts the U.S. National Toboggan Championships and Seadog Brewing Company makes some pretty decent beer. What's not to like.
Sunday
Tonight in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, namesake of original home of golf in Scotland. Local brewery makes Tickle Fight IPA, Man's Best Friend porter, Cracked Canoe lager and Wharf Bound hazy pale ale. After Jan's nearby Nexxus interview in the morning we'll beat feet back to Rockland getting ready for overnight sail past Cape Cod Canal leaving Tuesday. Hiding from a low pressure system coming up the coast will then require stopping somewhere for a couple of days. Maybe Newport or Block Island.
Jack & Jan