All came aboard by 9am at Harbor Loop. Ernestina lay at Schooner Adventure's berth while she was out on the railway at the Maritime Heritage Center next door.

We got underway from the dock, set all sail and paraded with the other ships with an escort from the Merchantman Friendship that had come over from the Salem Maritime Historic Site to view the race.

Historian and author Joe Garland narrated from shore as the ships all paraded past the fishermen's statue on Western Avenue. From there we all sailed out for the start of the race just off Eastern Point.

In the chart image you can see the Start/Finish marker along with the First and Second Marks. We were to sail a triangular course.

The Race started with the Start Line crossing at the start gun around 11:30. You can see the track below 'Finish' on the chart. Ernestina started the race in great position, crossing the line neck and neck with Liberty Clipper and pulling ahead on the first tack.

The first leg out to the first mark required tacking into the easterly 15 knot breeze. You can see our track coming in on the Cape Ann shoreline before tacking to the south far enough to tack again to make the first mark.

After falling off the wind a bit on the starboard tack, we sailed on for the Second Mark.

The turn at the Second Mark went smoothly as we gybed over and turned the bow for the finish line.

Even with a great start we finished fifth this year with Pride of Baltimore, the odds on favorite, crossing the line first.

Our final position in the race did not quench the spirits of all on board. Again this year we had great food coming out of the galley and fine music on deck thanks to Jim and Cindy Bean (The Beans), Steve Sullwold , Jacek Sulanowski (Rum Soaked Crooks), Paula Daddio (Shipping News), along with staffers Tom Goux and Polly Zajac.

Captain: Amanda Madeira
Strategist: Carl Herzog

Alessandro Lopes takes the helm.

Bob Hanson from Albany handles lines on the foredeck.

The fisherman goes aloft.

Crista Mellican stows the main tops'l aloft.

The Track for the Gloucester Schooner Race

Here is all the gang on board for the race!

The Schooner Ernestina crew and staff aboard for the race.

Manuevering at the race start with Gregg Swanzey at the helm and Carl Herzog working on strategy.

Capt. Amanda Madeira confers with Carl Herzog on strategy.

Liberty Clipper and Pride of Baltimore in close manuevers at the start.

Music abounds aboard Ernestina.

Jessica Bryant and Katie Krause aloft to stow the main tops'l.

Bill and Irene Morin aboard for the race.