Class 3, Race 1 of 5 After PA Cup officials have had their lunch break, we are ready for the first of five match races between the two class 3 contestants: the Aqua Fina, a ship we are assured is NOT associated with the pirate Bluebeard in any way despite its numerous skull-and-sword images and blue-and-black color scheme; and the Golden Rat, a Sea Rat entry proudly flying the black from the stern. At the start, Aqua Fina gained a slight advantage as they started the initial windward leg. Aqua Fina immediately displayed excellent maneuverability, out-tacking Golden Rat several times to take a strong lead at the windward mark. Sailing a reach to the jibe mark, Aqua Fina’s sails filled to full capacity, while the battle-worn jib sail of Golden Rat repeatedly lost its wind. Onlookers watching from Alexport’s shore muttered disappointingly about a runaway contest. But as the ships turned to run with the wind, the crew of the Golden Rat ran up a new jib sail and she took off. Meanwhile, the age of Aqua Fina’s mainsail was looking suspect, failing to hold its wind as Golden Rat closed to within shouting distance (or was it shooting distance?!) at the leeward mark. Beating to windward again, the maneuverability of the Aqua Fina again proved superior, and Golden Rat struggled to keep pace in the tacking battle. However, after the turn to run with the wind a second time, Golden Rat again proved the faster boat in a straight line. Aqua Fina rounded the final mark in the lead, but Golden Rat was closing fast. Turning to the finish, neither ship was particularly fast, but Aqua Fina maintained its lead to cross the finish line first. Both crews commented about needing to repair their sails, and some bystanders reported hearing comments about loading ammunition for the next race, but we cannot substantiate that rumor. After one race in the best-of-five series, Aqua Fina leads Golden Rat 1-0.