(Hyannisport, MA)- The other annual right of spring for sailors in the
northeast is the amazingly fabulous and fun-loving pursuit race called
“the FIGAWI”. It is serious fun, camaraderie, sailing, and most of all,
charity… that is what FIGAWI is all about.The Race attracts over 150 boats each year. Thousands of sailors convene for the New England’s first major regatta to kickoff summer. The Figawi Charity Race is recognized as a premier sailing event not only on the east coast but is known nationally as well as internationally. The Charity Ball is held the weekend before the race. A premier event featuring a live band, great DJ, a sampling from eleven local restaurants, and a fabulous silent auction and raffle.
The
race starts on Saturday morning, May 26th, just outside of Hyannis Port
harbor mouth. The fleet of 180 sailboats (of which 20 are J/teams’s)
will all have a pursuit-style start, meaning the first boat (with the
slowest rated PHRF handicap) takes off promptly at 0900 hrs and about
three hours after that, the last and fastest boat starts. In years
past, J/Crews have had more than their fair share of silverware in this
race. It often can be a wild and woolly fast 23.5nm reach (~ 155 deg
heading) across Vineyard Sound to the finish line at the picturesque
lighthouse at the opening of Nantucket Harbor.Eight of the ten boats in PHRF S1 Division are J/crews. Four J/120s will be taking on their J/colleagues- Dave Follett’s GLORY, Rich Pierce’s MOOSE, Mark Verville’s ISURUS, and Coleman Brown’s RUCKUS. Their three larger, faster members of the J/sable include Jimmy Maseiro’s J/122 URSUS MARITIMUS, Dave Southwell’s brand new J/121 ALCHEMY (her inaugural race!), and Chris Lund’s J/133 JUMP.
The
same scenario holds true for PHRF S2 Division, with six of seven boats
being J/crews! Five J/105s will be going across the starting line at
the same time (!), including Joe Lloyd’s Nantucket High School Sailing
Team on PRIMA, Andrew Reservitz’s DARK’N’STORMY, Mary Schmitt’s
HARDTACK, Ed Lobo’s WATERWOLF, and Francis Dougherty’s LYRIC. Fighting
them off from crossing before them will be Andrew Meincke’s J/97
ADRENALINE (they will start with only a 4.75 minutes advantage).In the “big boat” PHRF A Division will be Dick Egan’s beautiful (and successful) J/46 WINGS. In PHRF B Division is Mike Hersey’s J/35 RESILIENCE. PHRF Division C will have to contend with the classic offshore speedster- Ira Perry’s J/29 masthead called SEEFEST (a past race winner). Racing a bunch of other cruisers in PHRF G Division will be Bill Jones’ J/40 SMITTEN from Eastern YC in Marblehead, MA. Tom Ellis’ J/34C COVERAGE will be cruising fast in PHRF H Division. Mark Barrett’s J/30 MOJO is hoping to terrorize PHRF M Division. For more Figawi Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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