Photo by Billy Black

August 14, 2011
SCHEHERAZADE wins Race II, WHISPER overall winner
EAST BOOTHBAY, MAINE -- Veteran Race Director Ted Smith wisely allowed the breeze to build to a solid 8-10kts by first gun at 1300 Sunday, the second and final day of Shipyard Cup racing. The staggered start saw some early strategy as ISOBEL followed by WHISPER then VIRAGO diverted from the track of the earlier starters in the hopes of finding a lift from the southern tip of Southport Island en route to the first turning mark.

By the time the fleet was headed for home, the low cloud ceiling was reducing visibility and the air became very light. The first to emerge from the fog was SCHEHERAZADE who led the fleet most of the way to top day 2 honors. The crowd of spectators, including quite a number that worked on the SCHEHERAZADE build, could not have been happier to cheer the hometown favorite.

Founding sponsor Tim Hodgdon added: "This year's Shipyard Cup was another fantastic event with an impressive fleet of world class sailing yachts. It was incredible to witness WHITEHAWK racing SCHEHERAZADE, both vessels from the hand of Bruce King, both extraordinary sailboats. WHITEHAWK probably the first large boat designed by Bruce at the beginning of his career, SCHEHERAZADE the last, with a tremendous portfolio in between. The two boats are 30 years apart in design, of varying styling but with equally beautiful ketch sail plans. These are two of the world's most magnificant sailboats."

The Chelsea Clock sponsored award ceremony was laced with a bit of Maine humor and a great celebration of the relaxed atmosphere and Corinthian spirit the Shipyard Cup is known for. In accepting the "winner overall" Chelsea Ships Bell Clock trophy, Hap Fauth, owner of WHISPER was very gracious in his compliments to the race organizers on behalf of all of the owners, their guests and crews saying how much this unique event and the Boothbay Region was enjoyed by all. Race Organizers announced next year's Shipyard Cup is scheduled for 10-12 August.

Additional photos from the 2011 event will be posted to shipyardcup.com shortly.

August 13, 2011
Race I Results: it's WHISPER!
EAST BOOTHBAY, MAINE -- Under a beautiful Maine sky and fair breezes the Shipard Cup fleet saw a great day of sailing. After a one hour delay to let the breeze build to a pleasant 10-15kts, the staggered start spread the fleet out over 52 minutes. After 3 hours of racing on a delightful afternoon WHISPER grabbed top honors for the day with WHITEHAWK and SUMURUN not far behind. The finish offered a bit of excitement watching VIRAGO SCHEHERAZADE and ISOBEL battle it out for 4th place with SCHEHERAZADE and VIRAGO exchanging leads several times in the closing meters to the finish. All but CHRISTOPHER who encountered some trouble on the course finished within 8 minutes of the first finisher, a real testament to the prowess of the Bucket Protocol handicapping system lead by Jim Teeters.

A new feature of this year's Shipyard Cup was a performance by the Texas Flying Legends Museum. A collection of WWII aircraft performing crowd pleasing aerobatics following the race.

All of the owners, guests and crew were all smiles at the post race cocktail party, looking toward another of day of racing. The forecast is not as favorable for the final day of racing but the breeze is expected to hold.

The final order of finishing was: WHSIPER(116'), WHITEHAWK(92'), SUMURUN(94'), VIRAGO(100'), SCHEHERAZADE(154'), ISOBEL(76'), TENACIOUS(115'), and CHRISTOPHER.(150').

August 13, 2011
Shipyard Cup opening night
The Friday night "gala" welcomed over 250 big boat racing sailors and their guests at the opening event of Shipyard Cup IX. In the relaxed Maine style the Shipyard Cup is known for, the afternoon began with a great cocktail party, the renewing of worldwide acquaintances and of course the lobster dinner.

The final line-up includes VIRAGO (100') ISOBEL (76') CHRISTOPHER (150') WHITEHAWK (92) TENACIOUS (115') WHISPER (116') SUMURUN (94') and SCHEHERAZADE (154').

Set on the grounds of the Hodgdon Shipyard, the spectacular August evening offered light breeze, a beautiful sunset and clear full moon setting, a fitting nod to the weekend to come.

The forecast is for light breeze WSW which will be sure to test the Bucket Protocol Racing Rules the Shipyard Cup also uses. Timer Jim Teeters was on hand for the Capt's meeting in one of the few semi-serious parts of the evening. Best of luck to the fleet!

August 9, 2011
Fleet arriving for Shipyard Cup
AUGUST 9, 2011 - EAST BOOTHBAY, MAINE - Boothbay Harbor is starting to buzz with excitement as the entrants for this weekend's Shipyard Cup start to arrive. The Shipyard Cup (racing Saturday and Sunday from about noon - 4:30 p.m. depending on conditions) is a big boat sailing regatta held annually in the Boothbay Region. This year's show is of special interest as it includes a WWII vintage aerobatic aircraft show.

First to arrive on Monday were CHRISTOPHER a 150 ft. ketch recently launched at Pendennis Shipyard in the U.K. and WHITEHAWK a 92 ft. Maine built schooner designed by local world renowned naval architect Bruce King.

Others soon to arrive include VIRAGO (100 ft.), TENACIOUS (114 ft.) ISOBEL (75 ft.) WHISPER (116 ft.), SUMURUN (94 ft.) and SCHEHERAZADE (154 ft.). SCHEHERAZADE is poised to be the hometown favorite having been built at Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay. This is one of the few times the spectacular SCHEHERAZADE has returned to Maine waters since she was launched in 2003. SCHEHERAZADE was designed by Bruce King and features an exquisite interior designed by Andrew Winch Designs of London and is one of the world's most respected sailing superyachts.

The air show will feature six WWII vintage aircraft from the Texas Flying Legends Museum in an aerobatic performance from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm both Saturday and Sunday weather permitting. In addition, the planes will be on display at the Wiscassett airport where they will depart at 4:45 p.m. for the over-water show. The best way to see the airshow is by private or commercial boat. A list of commercially available boats is available at the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce website.

A more complete description of the entrants, the aircraft and the Shipyard Cup "Notice to Mariners" for local mariners planning to be on the water is available on our race details page.

July 26, 2011
Shipyard Cup adds WWII air show
EAST BOOTHBAY, MAINE - Shipyard Cup founding sponsor Hodgdon Yachts announced today that a vintage air show will be added to the big boat racing regatta spectacle immediately following the races on both Saturday and Sunday August 13th and 14th.

The Shipyard Cup is a grand sailboat regatta held for 9 of the past 10 years in Boothbay Harbor. The Shipyard Cup is one of a handful of big boat regattas held in other great yachting capitals around the world such as St. Barth's, Palma de Mallorca, Porto Cervo and Newport. These events host some of the world's finest yachts afloat.

The Shipyard Cup Airshow, hosted by the Texas Flying Legends Museum will feature rare WW II vintage aircraft including one of only two Japanese Zeros still flying in the world (Last Samurai), a FG-1D Corsair (Whistling Death), a P-40K (Aleutian Tiger), a P-51D Mustang (Dakota Kid II) and a Mitchell B-25 Bomber (Betty's Dream). The acrobatic aircraft will perform an Airshow off of Boothbay Harbor from approximately 5:00 PM until 5:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

Due to the distance from shore, the best way to view the Airshow is by boat. There are many commercially available charter and tour boat services in Boothbay Harbor; a complete list can be found on the Boothbay Chamber of Commerce website.

In addition, the planes and pilots will be available to the public from noon until dusk both days of the Airshow at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport, 96 Chewonki Neck Road in Wiscasset, Maine. Here, the public will be able to see the planes up close, visit with the pilots, and enjoy food and entertainment throughout the day. The public will also be able to see the planes launched for the Airshow over the Shipyard Cup and the recovery of the aircraft immediately following the Airshow.

Information on the Shipyard Cup may be found on this website. Information on the Texas Flying Legends can be found at www.flyingfreedom.us.

For more information on the Shipyard Cup please contact Ed Roberts at eroberts@hodgdonyachts.com. For more information on the Wiscasset Municipal Airport event, please contact Erv Deck at KIWImanager@roadrunner.com.