ROCKLAND – The Maine Windjammer Association’s fleet of nine schooners plus additional local schooners will fill Penobscot Harbor during a race out of Rockland, Maine, on Friday, July 7.

 

Now in its 46^th year, the Great Schooner Race will be a five-to-15-mile sailing course for the traditional-rig vessels around Penobscot Bay. The two-masted schooners ranging in size from 57 to 95 feet will race each other for the annual Cutty Sark trophy awarded to the fastest vessel around the course on corrected time (based on rating). The spectacle of vessels as old as 151 years will appear to onlookers as a 19^th-century gathering of former cargo-carrying schooners.

The Windjammers will race with their crews plus hundreds of guests on a course determined by vessel captains the morning of the event. The event is rain or shine. Prizes will be awarded in a ceremony following the race, which will be emceed by actor Marc Evan Jackson (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). The Great Schooner Race is sponsored by Mossy Ledge Spirits.

The vessels will be visible from the Rockland Breakwater as they sail into the harbor Thursday afternoon, July 6, and again as they head toward the start line Friday morning, July 8. 

A chase boat may be available to bring press people for short trips out to the racecourse for photo and video opportunities. Advance arrangements should be made by contacting pr@sailmainecoast.com. 

 

 

3-5 p.m. boats will sail past the Rockland Breakwater

Friday, July 7:     

8 a.m. captains’ meeting 
10 a.m. vessels sail out of harbor toward start line
11 a.m. starting gun for all vessels
 2-3 p.m. vessels cross finish line, return to Rockland Harbor
 3-5 p.m. music and celebrating
 5 p.m. awards ceremony

 

The Maine Windjammer Association is a 46-year-old organization of traditional-rig ships that create unique, memorable vacations on Maine waters and islands. With nine vessels ranging in size from 64 to 95 feet, MWA’s fleet offers three-to-six-day sailing adventures for guests throughout the summer and early fall. Many of the windjammers are National Historic Landmarks, and all of the vessels are individually owned and operated. The Maine Windjammer Association is the largest fleet of working windjammers in America. For more information, visit sailmainecoast.com.