Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sailing Video of FIGAWI RACE on J/46 VANQUISH

J/46 sailboat- sailing offshore race*  The J/46 VANISH recently attempted to sail the 40th FIGAWI Race from Hyannis to Nantucket along with 250 other boats and several thousands souls looking forward to a good time.  On board was renown sailing photographer Leighton O'Connor from Marblehead, MA.  Here's a brief account of what happened from Leighton:  "I'm a FIGAWI virgin! I have been sailing for close to 40 years and this is my first FIGAWI. Quite a race. Lots of fog. Lots of boats....over 250. This race is in it's 40th year. We left Boston Harbor 10:30 PM Thursday night on the J/46 VANISH. We plotted a course through the Cape Cod Canal to catch the Falmouth to Hyannis Pursuit Race at 11:00 Friday. Thick fog, but still a great ride down and nice race. We took a 5th.

For the start of FIGAWI on Saturday morning we had a three hour postponement in Hyannis because of some wildly dense fog-- I think "Mainiacs" call it a "pea-soupah". Our start was at 2:05 pm. Winds were great off the start but towards the middle of the race things got pretty light, like no wind at all.  Our skipper made the call eight miles from Nantucket to enjoy the rest of our ride to Nantucket, he flipped on the "iron genny" and soon the dancing started."  See Leighton's YouTube video here of these experiences