It all started with a couple of guys sitting on a boat off of town landing almost 100 years ago…

What do you know about the beginning of the Monhegan Island Race? I’ve been sailing it since the late 1980’s and only had some vague ideas of it being a old race. A recent email from JB Kuppe triggered a little bit of digging into the archives. It turns out that JB’s grandfather was Herman Burgi, one of the guys sitting on the committee boat off of Town Landing. (It’s my understanding that this would be Portland Town Landing, as PYC was located on Merchants Wharf in Portland at the time)

I turned to the newly anointed PYC historian Tim Tolford for some information and he provided the following. “Herman Burgi was first listed as a PYC member in 1919. The following year he launched a sloop “Rascal” in May. He joined the Regatta Committee and became the chair from 1927 lasting until 1949!”

In the newspaper clip provided by JB, you can see him on board Sayonara, a favorite in the early days of the event. An interesting read can be found in this historical document on our website. There are many names that folks will recognize as this race has attracted sailors from all around the community. It is really something to be a part of an event that goes back so many generations.

By the way, JB is looking for a ride this year, with over 50 years of offshore sailing experience, he would be a great addition to a crew. Reach out to the RC if you would like to connect. Also check out the crew board for other sailors interested in sailing this year’s event.