Monhegan Island Race wraps up

Flying Jenny rounds the final turning mark of the Monhegan Island Race © Oakcliff Sailing

Our C&C 30 Flying Jenny completed the Monhegan Island Race in Maine this past weekend, crewed by a team of trainees and coaches. With a corrected time of 32 hours, 33 minutes and 35 seconds, Flying Jenny finished fourth in her class.

The race started in light to moderate winds that tapered off as the sun went down, leaving most boats drifting throughout the night. At sunrise, the crew rounded Boon Island (home to the tallest lighthouse in New England!). Then they headed to Monhegan Island for their next turning mark. Winds remained light throughout Saturday morning - but the crew enjoyed a couple seal companions that followed Flying Jenny from Boon Island until the wind picked up.

Mid-afternoon on Saturday, with about 38 miles left until the crew reached Monhegan, a nice 5-6 knot southerly filled in allowing the crew to set the kite and get into a good downwind groove. Each trainee got the chance to get behind the helm and get some offshore "tiller time". The crew reached the Monhegan Island turning mark at around 7pm Saturday, rounding in a nice, consistent 6 knot southerly. From there, it was a nighttime upwind sprint back to the finish at Portland Yacht Club. Flying Jenny reached the finish at 3:26am on Sunday morning, with an exhausted but happy crew.

For most trainees on this crew, this was their first real offshore race. Each got lessons on navigation, food provisioning, and how to take care of themselves offshore so they can maintain peak performance. "There are some things you can only learn from experience", said sapling Taima Crean. Sapling and first-time Boat Captain Wes Bright got the full experience of managing a boat and crew for the race, as well as being the primary helmsman.

Flying Jenny's next stop is Newport, RI where the crew will compete in the Ida Lewis Race. In order to stay quarantined and safe, the crew is delivering her down and camping on the way.