Wizard Wins the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta

ON AUGUST 2, Maine Maritime Academy participated in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta aboard Wizard, a 1930 Herreshoff Fisher Island 31. Wizard won the coveted Joel White Trophy for the first place “plank on frame” boat, among a field of nearly 100 traditionally built yachts, finishing at the top of the competitive Vintage B Class.

According to Head Sailing Coach Pat DiLalla, “The Egg Reach Regatta is considered the crown jewel of wooden yacht racing in the United States and attracts over 100 classic and vintage yachts annually.”

The team was led by sailing coach Delaney Brown at the helm and guided to victory by the tactics of President Craig Johnson ’91. The sails were trimmed by sailing coach Sharon Seymour-Johnson and the bow was run by sophomore Henry Strawbridge. The crew was rounded out by alumnus Tom Conlogue ’25 and local community members Peter and Jillian Galloway.

Describing the race, coach DiLalla said, “The start was downwind and the magnificent fleet of meticulously maintained boats set their spinnakers in a fading northerly. Wizard fell behind initially as the competition went high and found more breeze to the north. But as the fleet prospered from the last of the morning breeze, Wizard was positioned to capitalize on the incoming afternoon sea breeze. The crew waited anxiously for the wind to fill as the competition looked to be slipping away.”

Coach DiLalla added, “Eventually, the first southerly zephyrs appeared on the water and made their way toward Wizard. The wind reached her first and the nearly 100-year-old boat came to life and started to regain what was lost in the first part of the race. Then that magical thing happened that every sailor hopes for in a race: Wizard had her own breeze all to herself. The crew capitalized on the conditions and merrily romped past the entire fleet into first place. By the time the rest of the fleet got to the wind, Wizard was long gone.”

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