(Hyannis, MA)- The 41st Annual Figawi Race Weekend is recognized as a
top sailing event not only on the East Coast but is known
internationally as well. Figawi Race Weekend kicks off the the Cape Cod
and Nantucket summer season in America. Entries include sailors from
several states, 240+ boats (including 30 power boats) and over 3,000
sailors and visitors. It's one of the world's largest "pursuit" races--
depending on rating, slowest boats start first, fastest last and
whomever crosses the finish line first wins! Other events like it
exist, like the infamous "Three Bridge Fiasco" in San Francisco Bay that
are of equal significance on the West Coast.
The
weekend begins with a Kickoff Party at Hyannis Yacht Club on Friday.
Then, early Saturday morning, crews begin gathering. Skippers and boat
owners prepare their boats, gather their crews, and head out to the
start line. The first boat officially begins at 10 am off the Hyannis
Port Jetty. But beginning around 8 am, the parade of sailboats head out
of Lewis Bay, pass by Kalmus Beach, and gather off Hyannis Port. The
boats start from 10 am until approximately noon, depending on their
handicapped start time. All boats in all divisions compete across
Nantucket Sound, in various courses, to be the first one to reach
Nantucket.Why sail? According to Brad Mascott, recent owner of J/105 #209 TWO IF BY SEA for the past two years, "I just love this boat and love this race, wouldn't miss it for anything!" Find out why for yourself. Lots of fun, lots of laughs and lots of memories with friends and loved ones. Many other J's are participating and seem to agree with Brad's perspective on this special Nantucket event.
At
this stage, there are two J/24s, two J/29s sailing. Dawson Hodgson's
J/100 GRIMACE from Rhode Island is sailing, so are two J/105s from
Nantucket Community Sailing Center. A J/35 and Doug Curtiss's J/111
WICKED 2.0 from Marion, MA are in the line-up. Two J/37c's are going
for it, including Stephen Lipman's DUCK SOUP from Newport, RI and Andrew
Davis' DESTINY from Groton, MA. Three J/40s are cruising fast,
including Kirk Brown's JAZZ from Hingham, MA; Bill Jones' SMITTEN from
Marblehead, MA and Peter Stockus' PASSAGE from Canton, MA. Two J/120's
are doing the event, Jim Masiero's URSUS MARITIMUS from Sterling, MA and
Dave Follet's GLORY from Boxborough, MA. Tony Iacono's J/42 AFFINITY
from West Chester, PA and Kevin McLaughlin's J/44 SPICE from Fairhaven,
MA may be in the hunt. Two J/46's are sailing, Dick Eagan's WINGS from
Osterville, MA and Renee & Bill Jacobson's VANISH from Boston, MA.
Finally, two of the big, fast cruising J/160s- Alan Fougere's AVATAR
from Pocasset, MA and Ben Blake's ATLANTIC from Stonington, CT- will be
thundering into the finish line at a great rate of speed if the little
guys in front haven't gotten there already!Depending on the various conditions, the theory of the "Pursuit Race" format is that all competitors should reach Nantucket Harbor Buoy at around the same time. They finish at the entrance of Nantucket Harbor and parade into Nantucket Boat Basin.
Saturday night Figawi hosts a Competitor Party under the tent on Nantucket. Mt Gay, Budweiser, Hammer & Sickle, Vineyard Vines and French Rabbit join Figawi along with live entertainment to throw a great gathering where old friends meet up after a long winter, and new friends are made.
Sunday is a day to enjoy Nantucket Island whether visiting local shops, enjoying restaurants, or walking on the docks at Nantucket Boat Basin. Figawi hosts a Traditional Clambake under the Event Tent. Lobster, mussels, award winning chowder, chicken, steak, potatoes, and much more are included in the reasonable fee. As the day winds down, the Prize Giving starts late afternoon where 97+ trophies are awarded. After the Award Ceremony, it's time to change gears and prep the tent for the Sunday night party-- it's basically a repeat of Saturday night.
Monday morning, it is time to get back to racing. The newly formatted Monday Race dubbed "Redux" has been changed to encourage as many entrants as possible. The race now ends in a neutral location allowing skippers to head north or south towards home. The gathering at HYC in the later afternoon includes entertainment and one last time to enjoy the Figawi camaraderie until next year. Sailing photo credits- Blake Jackson For more FIGAWI Race sailing information
