Photo: Keith P. Luke

While we wait for the frigid waters of the Northeast to defrost, CYOA is spotlighting the regions that make up the Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS). First up is a destination high on most sailors’ summer destination lists: the scenic waters and rugged coastline of Maine!

Maine plays host to five CYCS events, taking place in July and early August:

• Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta and Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge
• Camden Classics Cup
• Castine Classic Yacht Race
• Camden to Brooklin Race
• Eggemoggin Reach Regatta

All five regattas return in 2026, and there is plenty to look forward to this season. The Camden Classics Cup celebrates its 10th anniversary, adding extra excitement to its signature traditions, including the annual Parade of Sail. The Eggemoggin Reach Regatta continues to grow, introducing a new Gaff and Schooner Division open to all gaff-rigged boats and schooners. And if one spectacular day sailing down the Reach isn’t enough, the Castine Classic and the Camden to Brooklin feeder races offer two additional days of racing beforehand. 

For more information on all the Maine regattas, explore our spotlight series on each event, linked above.

The CYCS Maine season conveniently wraps up the day before New York Yacht Club’s 2026 Queen’s Cup regatta. Coinciding with NYYC’s 170th Annual Cruise, the race will take place the day after the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta—Monday, August 3—and take place in the vicinity of Idleboro. “Since many boats will be heading back to Camden, Rockport or Rockland on Sunday from the ERR, we thought it would be a great fit for those who want one more day of racing on that Monday,” said NYYC Fleet Captain and CYOA member Scott Frantz. There is no entry fee to join the race. The Queen’s Cup webpage has more information for those interested.

In 2025, Maine boasted the largest regional fleet in the CYCS, with 21 qualified boats. Last year’s top performers from the region include Jax (Contemporary Division), Restive (Spirit of Tradition Division), Gleam (Vintage Division), Lucy (Classic Division), and Vortex (Modern Classic Division). Jax also won the overall Contemporary Division title last summer, showing that Maine’s competitors are a force to be reckoned with.

All 2026 CYCS events are posted on CYOA’s event calendar with more information on each regatta. Summer will be here before we know it—start planning your 2026 CYCS campaign today!