MOUNT DESERT ISLAND — The Apprenticeshop’s Fall High School Sailing is off to a great start. New this year, in partnership with other sailing schools, the organization formed a Penobscot Bay High School Sailing League which includes six teams: Rockland Community Sailing, Oceanside High School, Camden Hills Regional High School, Mount Desert Island High School, Boothbay High School and Islesboro Central School.

The first of six regattas was hosted last weekend at Mount Desert Island on Saturday, Sept. 17. The race was held in the mouth of Somes Sound and the regatta was the first of a three part series to determine a fall league champion.

16 races were completed and the final tally was:

1) Rockland, 35
2) Boothbay, 43
3) Islesboro, 44
4) Mount Desert Island, 49
5) Oceanside, 74
6) Camden Hills, 92

Racing was close all day, and the offshore breeze made for challenging sailing, especially at the windward mark. Many teams notched first place finishes, and the winner was not determined until the final two races. The MDI "Turbo" 420's were stopping and starting abruptly as the small gusts of wind came shooting off the land, and the best sailors were able to identify a pattern in the breeze. By the end of the day, most everybody had it figured out and was sailing more or less the same path around the course.

The race committee would like to thank MDI Community Sailing volunteers Scott Lawliss and Greg Queen for spending their Saturday running races; Charles Wray, Will And Ann Ratcliff, Beth Ingebritson, Erika Lindquist, and of course, Glenn Squires and Wells Bacon for all they do to keep our team afloat.

Since 1972, The Apprenticeshop has been a school for traditional boatbuilding, sailing and seamanship, dedicated to inspiring personal growth through craftsmanship, community, and traditions of the sea. Located at 655 Main Street in Rockland’s North End. FMI: call 207-594-1800 or visit apprenticeshop.org.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.