Camden Classics Cup celebrates 10 years of classic sailing on Penobscot Bay
by Camden Classics Cup 5 Aug 09:09 PDT
July 23-25, 2026
Ten years ago, Drew Lyman envisioned more than another sailing regatta. The goal was to create an event that celebrated the timeless beauty of classic yachts, the craftsmanship behind them, and the vibrant maritime community that defines Camden, Maine.
Last weekend, under 48-hours of picture perfect weather, that vision was on full display as the 10th Annual Camden Classics Cup presented by Lyman-Morse, welcomed an impressive fleet of classic yachts, modern classics, modern performance yachts, and daysailers to the waters of Penobscot Bay. Blessed with beautiful summer weather, spirited racing, and a full schedule of shoreside festivities, the milestone anniversary once again reminded participants why the Camden Classics Cup has become one of the Northeast's premier classic sailing events.
From Thursday evening's Owners & Captains Reception on the Lyman-Morse Wharf through Saturday night's awards celebration, competitors, owners, families, and spectators enjoyed a weekend that blended competitive sailing with the unmistakable hospitality of the Maine coast. Saturday morning's Parade of Sail once again transformed Camden Harbor into a living maritime museum as beautifully restored yachts paraded before thousands of spectators lining the waterfront.
"What makes this event special is that it celebrates everything we love about boating," said Drew Lyman, President of Lyman-Morse. "The boats are extraordinary, the racing is competitive, but it's really the people and the sense of community that continue to make the Camden Classics Cup something everyone looks forward to each summer."
For Camden Classics Cup Director Holly Paterson, the event's tenth anniversary reflected years of steady growth and an enduring commitment from volunteers, sponsors, racers, and the local community.
"Reaching our tenth year is something we're incredibly proud of," said Paterson. "Every year the event continues to evolve while staying true to its original purpose of bringing together incredible boats, passionate sailors, young racers, and our entire community. It's become much more than a regatta to everyone."
The event also featured the Annual Camden Classics Cup Youth Regatta, where young sailors from across New England competed just outside Camden Harbor, continuing the event's commitment to introducing the next generation to competitive sailing.
Complete race results are available at www.camdenclassicscup.com. Highlights include:
2026 Camden Classics Cup Results
Class: Classic 1
PALAWAN - Custom Yawl
CRF Vintage 1
BIJOU II - 30 Square Meter
Day Racer 1
BESHERTE - Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 18
Modern Tradition 1
JAX - Brooklin 43
Modern Tradition 2
SEABORN - Sparkman & Stephens
Spinnaker 1
KAOS - Farr 30
Spinnaker 2
SKOOT - J/109
PHRF Cruising 1
CACHE - Oyster 745
PHRF Cruising 2
JOY - Alerion 38
Perpetual Trophies
- Camden Classics Cup: BIJOU II
- Lyman-Morse Trophy: SEABORN
- Stephens-Waring Spirit of Tradition Trophy: SEABORN
- Concordia Trophy: SNOW FALCON
- Womens Skipper Trophy - MOONDANCE
- Artisan Boatworks Day Racer Trophy: BESHERTE
While trophies recognize exceptional performances on the water, the Camden Classics Cup has always been about something larger than competition. The regatta continues to celebrate classic yacht design, encourage the stewardship of these beautiful boats, support youth sailing, and strengthen the maritime traditions that have long defined Midcoast Main and Camden.
The continued success of the Camden Classics Cup is made possible through the commitment of an extraordinary group of sponsors and partners who share a passion for preserving classic yachting traditions. From Presenting Sponsor Lyman-Morse to the organizations supporting the Youth Regatta, Parade of Sail, awards, and shoreside festivities, their investment helps create an event that celebrates craftsmanship, competition, community, and the next generation of sailors
The event also continues its longstanding partnership with LifeFlight of Maine, with a portion of every entry fee benefiting the nonprofit organization's statewide emergency medical transport mission.
The organizers extend their sincere appreciation to the many volunteers, race officials, sponsors, the Classic Yacht Owners Association, the Town of Camden, Camden Area Youth Seamanship Program, participating yacht clubs, and everyone who helped make the 10th Camden Classics Cup another unforgettable celebration of classic sailing.
Ten years after the first start gun echoed across Penobscot Bay, the Camden Classics Cup continues to prove that while these remarkable yachts may celebrate the past, the community that surrounds them is very much shaping the future of classic sailing. For one weekend every summer, Camden once again becomes the place where legacy, competition, and camaraderie all share the same course.
The Camden Classics Cup also extends its sincere appreciation to the following sponsors and partners whose generous support makes the event possible.