News Feature

Castine
Originally published in Castine Patriot, September 15, 2022
Caroline B takes Austin Cup in Castine Class racing

Ten Castine Class boats competed in the eight race Castine Class series this summer at the Castine Yacht Club. Caroline B, skippered by Chip Terry with Lara Terry and Adam Peck in crew, took the Austin Cup as series winner. Caroline B edged out Westwind, sailed by Brooke Parish and Betsy Lieser. Mace, sailed by the Edmond Billings family, took third place.

At the Castine Yacht Club awards ceremony on August 27, race committee chairman David Bicks described the Castine Class as “the lifeblood of the Castine harbor,” according to a press release. From 1951 to 1964, Eaton Boatyard built 20 of these wood-planked 18-foot sloops designed by Mace Eaton. Commodore Tom Ashton noted that Castine is unique in having its own locally built and designed class of sailboats.

In trophy races this summer, Caroline B won the Fourth of July Robinson trophy given in memory of Barclay Robinson Jr. In 1951, the Robinson, Austin and Brownell families commissioned the three original Castine Class boats. Now, over 70 years later, Tim Robinson and Donald Austin skippered boats in this summer’s series. Westwind won the 50th Anniversary Cup, and Southern Star, skippered by James Dearborn with John Boyer crewing, took the Eaton Boatyard Builder’s and Designer’s Cup commemorating the efforts of Mace and Alonzo Eaton. Westwind led the fleet in this season’s final race, winning the Labor Day race trophy.