It’s Labor Day back home. Chrissy is working. I don’t know yet what Caitlin is doing. Anna and Ted have invited me to a party but I’m just not in the partying mood.

You would be so happy. The Columbia took part in the Gloucester Schooner Festival races yesterday and WON!

“COLUMBIA BREAKS EAGLE’S STREAK

The schooner, Columbia, a 141-ft replica of a historic Gloucester’s schooner, made its first visit to the Gloucester Schooner Festival a winning one.

The Columbia, launched in August 2014 in Panama City, Fla., captured the Mayor’s Race and the Esperanto Cup on Sunday, highlighting the festival’s annual races off Eastern Point.

The triumph by Columbia – a steel-hulled replica of the vessel that was launched from Essex in 1923, then lost at seat in 1927 – ended the three-year reign of the American Eagle.

The American Eagle, a 92-foot schooner built in Gloucester in 1930 and now home-ported in Rockland, Maine, captured the last three Esperanto Cup titles, besting the Schooner Festival field in 2012, 2013 and 2014.” (Ray Lamont, Gloucester Times, Sunday, September 6, 2015)

Yuri said the crew got pretty rowdy last night but he “knew when to call it” and is doing just fine today.