Thursday, August 6, 2015

Gorgeous Edgartown Round Da’ Island Mon’!

J/111 sailing Edgartown Round Island race (Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, MA)— Located just seven miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard has long been known as an idyllic summer destination despite being accessible only by air or boat– which naturally posed no problem for the hundreds of sailors who made the trek to the eastern end of the island for Edgartown Yacht Club’s 2015 Edgartown Race Weekend in Edgartown, MA.

Over three perfect summer days, competitors had a full schedule with ‘Round-the-Buoy Races on Thursday and Friday, July 23-24, and the historic ‘Round-the-Island Race on Saturday, July 25. On the social side of things, Friday evening’s Mount Gay “Jump-Up” party – which followed the awards presentations for the ‘Round-the-Buoy Races – was a highlight of the weekend.

First held in the summer of 1938, EYC’s ‘Round-the-Island Race covers 56 nautical miles, with the 68-strong fleet passing the island’s most distinguishing features, including seven lighthouses and the cliffs of Gay Head.  In the J/120 One-design division, Steve McManus’ SAYKADOO walked off with class honors followed by Steve Beese’s APRES in second and Richard Joy’s KINDRED SPIRITS in third.

In PHRF A class, it was the two J/111s that crowded out the podium, with Doug Curtiss’ WICKED 2.0 (a 3x past Round Island Class champ) taking second and Mike Williamson’s BRIGADOON finishing third.

The ten-boat PHRF B class looked like a J division with six teams participating.  First J home was Ed Dailey’s J/109 RAPTOR from Beverly YC followed in third by Eliot Shanabrook’s HAFA ADAI from Marblehead YC.  Fifth was long-time champion Richard Eagan’s J/46 WINGS.

Steve Dahill’s J/35c RIVA from Beverly YC managed a good race in PHRF C class, taking 4th position.  Just behind in 6th and 7th, respectively, were two J/105s- the Joyce/ Reservitz/ Wagner trio on DARK’N’STORMY from Plymouth YC and the Nantucket Community Sailing program with youth sailors aboard led by skipper Chris Raymond.

The PHRF Non-Spin division saw the J/42 PANASEA sailed by Kent Nicholas from Red Brook Harbor YC take a well-earned 2nd in class!

For the Round Buoys event on Thursday-Friday, Williamson’s J/111 BRIGADOON won PHRF A followed by McManus’ J/120 SAYKADOO in second.  Fifth was Beese’s J/120 APRES.  Dominating PHRF B class was Ted Herlihy’s championship team on the J/109 GUT FEELING, averaging just over a 1st for the 6 race series!  Just off the mark and hanging onto 4th and 5th places were two J/105s- Matt Schmitt’s HARDTACK and the DARK’N’STORMY trio.   For more Edgartown Regatta sailing information