We rushed north to Maine to participate in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta and the two preceding feeder races Castine to Camden and Camden to Richmond, in the Eggemoggin Reach.
The first day dawned gray and misty and the forecast was for very little wind - they were right. Despite being in a good position at the last mark, the dying wind and the fact we had elected to sail in a non-spinnaker class eventually saw us finish well down the board.
Day two, from Camden to the Eggemoggin Reach saw half of the fleet retire due to the lack of breeze - us included.
The big event on Saturday was to be sailed in similar conditions and after a postponed start we finally got underway in a fickle five-knot breeze. The race was shortened twice as it was becoming obvious to all that the sea breeze would not be joining us for the afternoon.
We found ourselves mid fleet in a dying breeze when it was becoming clear that many of the competitors ahead of us were going to be swept past the mark on the outgoing tide.
We altered course to the north to try and offset this and despite our heading - about ninety degrees to the mark - our plotter had us heading directly to the finish at the blistering speed of one knot!!
And then the wind arrived.... Of course we got it first, or so it seemed to us. We tacked back and headed straight for the line. We picked up first in class 3 seconds a head of second place winner 'Mermaid'.
In the confusion at the finish, boat names were transposed and we were awarded second at the prize giving but this was later corrected when results were posted and the error was discovered.
The course ended up being only about seven miles and it took most boats nearly three hours to finish. And exercise in perseverance, which became somewhat of a raffle. We consider ourselves lucky with that result, but we never gave up!