EDGARTOWN RACE WEEKEND UPDATE!

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- As the weather starts getting a little warmer here in the Northeast, the Edgartown Race Weekend team is getting excited for this summer’s regatta. 

So far, there are thirteen J/Boats registered to date for the Round Island Race- from J/160, J/122s, J/121s, J/120s, J/111s, and J/109s, to name a few. That's not enough! Double-check your schedules as you simply cannot beat the famous Round Island Race, truly one of the more spectacular races on the summer yachting calendar!

Edgartown Race Weekend is one of the nation’s oldest distance races, occurring every summer on and offshore the island of Martha’s Vineyard. A staple on the East Coast racing calendar, the highly-competitive and exceptionally fun race weekend includes both buoy racing and ‘Round-the-Island segments and attracts boats and teams of all sizes and calibers from around the U.S. and internationally.

With nearly 50 boats already registered for this year’s Race Weekend, we would like to encourage teams to reserve moorings and housing accommodations, as availabilities are quickly filling up. All logistical information can be found on the Edgartown Race Weekend homepage.

For more information, refer to the EYC website or contact Margaret Passafiume at (508) 627-4364 x18 or email at raceadministrator@edgartownyc.org.  Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier.  For more Edgartown Race Weekend registration and sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Race Week- Calling all J/Teams!

 

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- Edgartown Race Weekend team is hard at work getting ready for ERW 2021 and is looking forward to seeing everyone on the water for our mid-summer’s top event. We are excited to see a number of early entries from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. The team has been adding new sponsors and activities, as well as enhancing the logistical elements of ERW to make our event a more seamless event for visiting teams.


We would like to note that we encourage One-design classes to come in force! We can easily set up specific starting lines for one-design groups (5 or more boats). We're excited that out of 30 entries for the 2021 'Round-the-Island Race, there are 8 J/Crew already registered! Some of those teams include Andrew Clark's J/122 ZIG ZAG, Stephen Besse's J/120 APRES, Ed Dailey's J/109 RAPTOR, Mike Hersey's J/35 RESILIENCE, Ira Perry's J/29 SEEFEST, Rob Littleton's J/121 SHE's NO LADY, Doug Curtiss's J/111 WICKED 2.0, and Alan Fougere's J/160 AVATAR. That is a fun-loving, talented group of J/Teams so far!


We encourage sailors to register early to take advantage of free moorings for the first 50 entrants, as well as to lock in accommodations, as space fills up fast during Martha’s Vineyard summers. 

Please take note that we have separate events on Yacht Scoring for our buoy racing and Round-the-Island segments – make sure to register on both ERW sites!  Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier

Registration and regatta information can be found here.  For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the EYC Race Administrator- Margaret Passafiume at raceadministrator@edgartownyc.org.

EDGARTOWN RACE WEEKEND ANNOUNCEMENT!

 

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- "We hope everyone is having a great holiday season.  Our team at Edgartown YC is hard at work organizing the 2021 Edgartown Race Weekend (“ERW”) and have just gone live with the NOR on Yacht Scoring for both the 'Round-the-buoys racing (“RTB”) and 'Round-the-Island (“RTI”) segments of ERW.

For decades, the Edgartown Race Weekend has been a favorite of J/sailors on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Vineyard Sound. The event attracts J/teams from as far north as Maine and as far south as the Chesapeake Bay. Dozens of J/Crews have made the event an annual ritual as they look forward to catching up with friends and families from afar that also make it a tradition to participate.  Come one, come all! The 2021 edition promises to be a fun one and may we all hope to rejoice such great events yet again on the water next year!  For more information follow the links below

• Edgartown Race Weekend Info (Click Here)
• ERW (RTI Segment) YachtScoring Link (Click Here)
• ERW (RTB Segment) YachtScoring Link (Click Here)

We encourage participants to register ASAP to receive information and updates from the Organizing Authority throughout the offseason. Please note the entry fee is not required to complete your registration on Yacht Scoring.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns to the Edgartown Race Weekend Administrator- Margaret Passafiume- email: raceadministrator@edgartownyc.org. Sailing photo credit- Stepen Cloutier.

J/Crews Silver @ Edgartown Round Island

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- The Edgartown Yacht Club hosted the 82nd running of its signature ‘Round-the-Island (’RTI) race on Saturday, August 1st, 2020. The Round Island, which began in 1938 and counts as one of America’s oldest distance races, it tracks 56.0 nautical miles around Martha’s Vineyard.

The hoped-for classic sailing conditions materialized later than usual but enabled the faster boats to circumnavigate the island in just under ten hours. 

Happily adapting to the pandemic guidelines were many J/Sailors. Answering the Siren's Song were sixteen J/Crews, ranging from J/29s to J/46! All divisions have J's participating, such as IRC, ORRez, PHRF, and PHRF Doublehanded! 


Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (Chilmark, Mass.) claimed the coveted Venona Trophy at Edgartown Race Weekend’s 82nd ‘Round-the-Island Race, sailing his classic Alden Cutter 44 Lark to win his class and post the best corrected time from among all entrants in the Spinnaker Division. A fleet of 46 boats competing in eight classes started and finished its circumnavigation of Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, August 1. In a virtual Awards Ceremony, held Sunday afternoon, Kerry (who also is a former U.S. Senator for Massachusetts) praised host Edgartown Yacht Club for pulling off the regatta during the Coronavirus pandemic, which sadly has caused the cancellation of many other regattas.

“The Club did a brilliant job-- thoughtful and well-executed, without onerous but, nevertheless, clear restraints,” said Kerry, mentioning particularly the restriction of no social gatherings at the club. “That’s a hard thing to give up in sailing, but it was hugely appreciated that they covered all the bases and it allowed us to get out on the water.” ALL teams were limited to just FIVE (5) crew!

The light northeast wind at the start became a stronger southwesterly by the time the fleet reached the south side of the island. A number of J/Teams swept the top spots in various classes, loving the tactical conditions and making good use of their VMG speed with big A-Sails flying in the light stuff. Most boats took from 9 to 11 hours to finish the race by sunset!


Edgartown Yacht Club’s ‘Round-the-Island Race — one of America’s oldest distance races — originated in 1938, and except for the years of World War II, has been an annual event since then on Martha’s Vineyard. After an 0800 start, the fleet sails between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket along the east beach of Chappaquiddick. At midday, it is in the open Atlantic Ocean with views of the south coast of the Vineyard. In the afternoon, rounding the famously gorgeous cliffs of Gay Head, the fleet sails up Vineyard Sound. If the tidal currents or wind conditions make the going slow, the Race Committee can shorten course. (This year, Doublehand B and PHRF Non-Spinnaker classes sailed an abbreviated course of 45.52 miles.)

Stephen Besse (Vineyard Haven, Mass.), sailed his J/120 APRES to victory in the PHRF Doublehanded A Class, the second largest class with eight entrants, to collect the Eolis Trophy. He says he has been second in his class here at least five times out of ten previous tries but has never won, and this year was the first time he sailed without a full crew.

“I did it that way because of Covid-19,” he said, “knowing there would be only one other person to worry about instead of eight people.” Besse, like Kerry, played it right at the most critical juncture in the race; “the wind dropped out where Muskeget was narrowing down and some boats got sucked across Wasque Shoal. Having done this race before, I stayed farther east and drifted by Mutton Shoal on the right side of the buoy by just a boat length. Others had gotten carried past it and were anchored. We had enough of a lead that if we didn’t do anything stupid, we’d be good. We sailed the rest of the race hard, however, and we loved sailing from The Hooter (a government mark that makes a hooting sound) to Squibnocket in seven knots of breeze.”

In the PHRF Spinnaker B class of five-boats, it was Eliot Shanabrook's J/109 HAFA ADAI that won by nearly an hour on corrected time! Wow! Congrats to that performance! Second was the trio of Joyce/ Reservitz/ Wagner on their J/105 DARK'N'STORMY. 

Sailing in PHRF Spinnaker C class were two near sisterships.  Taking the silver and winning the Hobart A.H. Cook Trophy (Best Corrected Time among Service Academy entries) was U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's J/44 VAMP. It was past class winner Dick Egan's beautiful J/46 WINGS that managed to pull off a fourth place in the light stuff. Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier.  For more information Edgartown YC Round Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Round Island Race Preview

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- The Edgartown Yacht Club is hosting the 82nd running of its signature ‘Round-the-Island (’RTI) race on Saturday, August 1st, 2020. The Round Island, which began in 1938 and counts as one of America’s oldest distance races, it tracks 56.0 nautical miles around Martha’s Vineyard.

“To ensure the health and safety of sailors and the entire Martha’s Vineyard community, we have been working diligently to comply with the State of Massachusetts guidelines regarding COVID-19,” said Race Co-Chair Alex Nugent.

“Because of the early-August scheduling of our event, we’ve had time to adapt our plans and prepare the competitors for what to expect. Despite necessary changes, registration numbers are robust, drawing teams from all over the East Coast who see Edgartown Race Weekend as the kick-off to the 2020 racing season.”

Happily adapting to the pandemic guidelines are many J/Sailors. Answering the Siren's Song are sixteen J/Crews, ranging from J/29s to J/46! All divisions have J's participating, such as IRC, ORRez, PHRF, and PHRF Doublehanded!


In the ginormous 31-boat PHRF Spinnaker division, a mini-armada of J/Crews from across New England are looking forward tackle the course. Perhaps their most formidable foe may be Senator (MA) John F. Kerry's Alden 44 LARK sailing for Nantucket Yacht Club...never know how those political guys manipulate the PHRF system! Leading the charge for J/teams will likely be Dick Egan's J/46 WINGS (a multiple Round Island Race winner), along with skipper Ken Luczynski's J/44 VAMP sailing for the US Merchant Marine Academy. Giving them a serious run for the money on both line honors and handicap honors is multiple Round Island Race winner- Doug Curtiss' J/111 WICKED 2.0. With that kind of formidable competition, the three J/109s hope the winds/ tides work in their favor (Ted Herlihy's GUT FEELING, Eliot Shanabrook's HAFA ADAI, & Ed Dailey's RAPTOR). The two very experienced J/105s have also won their fair share of silver in Cape Cod racing circles- the trio on the J/105 DARK'N'STORMY (Joyce, Reservitz, & Wagner) and Ed Lobo's WATERWOLF. Then, another famous team on the J/29 SEEFEST, skippered by Ira Perry means everyone in front of them should be nervous...as they have won their class in the past multiple times. To say the least, a very talented, competitive fleet.


In the PHRF Doublehanded fleet of fourteen-boats, there will certainly be a great battle brewing amongst experienced duos on the trio of J/Doublehanders. Leading the charge around the course should be David Southwell's J/121 ALCHEMY, with Stephen Besse's J/120 APRES, and Mike Hersey's J/35 RESILIENCE giving them a good run-for-the-money.   For more information Edgartown YC Round Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Race Weekend Update!

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- The Edgartown Yacht Club will be hosting the 82nd running of its signature ‘Round-the-Island (’RTI) race on Saturday, August 1st, 2020.

The Round Island, which began in 1938 and counts as one of America’s oldest distance races, tracks 56 nautical miles around Martha’s Vineyard.

“To ensure the health and safety of sailors and the entire Martha’s Vineyard community, we have been working diligently to comply with the State of Massachusetts guidelines regarding COVID-19,” said Race Co-Chair Alex Nugent.


“Because of the early-August scheduling of our event, we’ve had time to adapt our plans and prepare the competitors for what to expect. Despite necessary changes, registration numbers are robust, drawing teams from all over the East Coast who see Edgartown Race Weekend as the kick-off to the 2020 racing season.”

At this point in the planning, the Skippers’ Meeting and Awards will transpire digitally. Social events or gatherings at the clubhouse are currently on hold, and sailors are highly encouraged to stay on board their boats as much as possible. As of now, provisions have been made for free moorings for competitors.

Happily adapting to the pandemic guidelines are many J/Sailors. Answering the Siren's Song are sixteen J/Crews, ranging from J/29s to J/160!  All divisions have J's participating, such as IRC, ORRez, PHRF, and PHRF Doublehanded (which includes a J/121 and J/122E so far)!

If you haven't considered it, now's the time to hop on board, sign up, and go sailing with at least your immediate family or go doublehanded! It has to be one of the most fun, challenging (because of the currents), and most beautiful races in New England as you enjoy vistas of the island and its beaches. Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier.  For more information Edgartown YC Round Island Race sailing information

Edgartown Regatta Announcement

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- The Edgartown Yacht Club’s Big Boat Racing Committee is excited to get started with the 2020 sailing season. The team has been working exceptionally hard over the past nine months to enhance Edgartown Race Weekend for this year, and future years, and is excited to welcome sailors to Martha’s Vineyard this summer.


While Edgartown YC unfortunately had to cancel the buoy racing segment of Edgartown Race Weekend, we will still be hosting the signature event - ‘Round-the-Island (“RTI”) Race on August 1, in addition to the shorter ‘Round-the-Sound Race the same day.


Despite the current situation, registration numbers are robust, drawing teams from all over the East Coast who see ‘RTI as the kick-off to the 2020 racing season. Remember, this is a 60.0nm race that rivals any in the world; such as Round Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, Round Jamestown in Narragansett Bay, Round Hong Kong in China, or Sweden's Gotland Runt race midsummer. 


The entire team is looking forward to good racing this summer. Sailing Photo Credits- Stephen Cloutier. Learn more about the Edgartown Regatta here. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

New Year, Better Racing @ Edgartown Regatta

(Edgartown, MA)— ’Round-the-Buoys and ’Round-the-Island or ’Round-the-Sound – there's  something for everyone at Edgartown Yacht Club’s (EYC) 2020 Edgartown Race Weekend, and sailors from across the region and the country are advised to get a jump on planning for the July 30-August 1 event.

“Edgartown Race Weekend is a popular tradition on Martha’s Vineyard and across the Northeast. We’re lucky to have one of the best venues for in-shore and coastal racing on the East Coast, which has helped make Edgartown Race Weekend one of the most appealing events on the summer racing circuit for everyone from grand-prix racers to cruising sailors,” said Event Co-chair Alex Nugent.  “Our team here at EYC has made a tangible effort to deliver what the sailors want and are enjoying working with participants to create an even stronger event.”

The event starts with two days of handicap ’Round-the-Buoys (‘RTB) racing on Thursday and concludes with a choice of two distance races on Saturday: the 20 nm ’Round-the-Sound Race (‘RTS) and the 56 nm ’Round-the-Island Race (‘RTI), which is in its 82nd running and counts as one of America’s oldest distance races.
“This year, EYC is excited to be offering free moorings for two nights, included in the registration fee for the first 50 paid ’RTI entrants,” said Edgartown Race Weekend Co-Chair Hal Findlay. “As well, we are allowing teams to switch their entries to the shorter ’RTS up until 12 noon on Friday. This gives them flexibility to decide what makes the most sense for their crews in the event of heavy wind or adverse conditions.”


In the event the ’RTI must be sailed in light air, three “gates” give the Race Committee options for shortening course. Said EYC Race Committee Chair Bob Hurst: “We don’t like DNFs!” (DNF is the scoring designation for a yacht that did not finish.)

As for more choices, competitors have the option to sail all three days or just in Saturday’s ’RTI or ’RTS. Edgartown Yacht Club started offering the shorter ’Round-the-Sound Race in 2018 as encouragement for smaller yachts to join the fun.  Since, smaller racing boats that don’t meet the offshore safety requirements to race the ’RTI (such as J/70s) have comprised at least half of the ’RTS fleet.

“The combination of coastal/offshore racing and buoy racing allows teams of all experience levels and yachts of all sizes to utilize their full arsenal of sails and equipment,” said Nugent. “It’s a rare opportunity these days, and this optionality continues to draw sailors to Edgartown Race Weekend year after year.”

Divisional scoring will include IRC, ORR eZ, PHRF, and Multi-hull, and potentially One-Design class scoring (depending on fleet numbers). Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, and Double-Handed classes will also be featured.

Edgartown Race Weekend’s ’RTI/’RTS and ’RTB races are scored separately, with top-three prizes awarded in each class. Sailors enjoy various new on-shore activities, including a welcome party, post-racing gatherings, a Mount Gay-sponsored rum tasting, and more.

Awards for the ’RTB are scheduled for Friday afternoon and the ’RTI and ’RTS for Sunday morning. Sailing photo credits- Stephen "Block Island Steve" Cloutier.

For more information, go to www.rtirace.org or contact Margaret Passafiume, raceadministrator@edgartownyc.org, (508) 627-4364 x18. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Challenging Light Air Test @ Edgartown

(Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard)— Light air became a challenge for racers and organizers at this year’s Edgartown Race Weekend hosted by Edgartown Yacht Club, but the show went on for all to enjoy on Martha’s Vineyard.

The event’s most illustrious of three events– the 56-mile ’Round-the-Island (RTI) race that has been a New England racing tradition for 81 years now– started Saturday, July 27 in “triple-naught” to “whispers” of breeze.  Without making much progress in the first few hours, the EYC Race Committee wisely elected to shorten course on the south side of the island for two-thirds of the fleet. Those boats completed a 25-mile course, while another nine boats sailed for 45 miles to finish near West Chop.

For this year’s ’RTI race, there were 42 boats in eight classes, two of which were non-spinnaker. Twelve boats opted for the ’Round-the-Sound (’RTS) race, the third component of Edgartown Race Weekend and an option for those wanting a shorter course. While last year this fleet’s course was 18 miles, this year it was 11.

“We had three courses from which to choose, and that worked out well that we could opt for a shorter one based on the wind conditions,” said Race Chairman Bob Hurst. “The ’Round-the-Sound sailors started 15 minutes after the last start of the ’Round-the-Island race on Saturday, and the first boats finished the course in a little over three hours.”

Edgartown Race Weekend’s ’RTI/’RTS and ’RTB races are scored separately, with top-three prizes awarded in each class. Sailors enjoyed a Mount Gay-sponsored “Jump-Up” party on Friday night (July 26) and awards for the ’RTB on Friday afternoon and the ’RTI and ’RTS on Sunday morning (July 28).

Sailing in the Round the Buoys Races, winning PHRF B Division was Dan Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE.  In PHRF C Division, the two J/105s- Matt Schmitt’s HARDTACK & the trio of Joyce/ Reservitz/ Wagner on DARK’N’STORMY- finished second and third, respectively.

For the Round the Island race, leading a clean sweep of the podium and winning PHRF 2 Division was Doug Curtiss’ J/111 WICKED 2.0 (below) with a corrected time of 8:15:26! Wow, that was a long race!  Second was Stephen Besse’s J/120 APRES and taking third place was Jonathan Burt’s J/130 LOLA! Finishing in 5th position was Eliot Shanabrook’s J/109  HAFA ADAI.

Winning PHRF C Division in the RTI race was Steve Dahill’s J/35C RIVA with Phillip Stathos’s J/110 AIRBENDER taking third place.

In the PHRF “white sails” division, Alan Fougere’s J/160 AVATAR took the bronze, while Kent Nicholas’ J/42 PANASEA placed 5th.

Finally, in the Round the Sound Races, winning the J/70 class was Veronica Lundgren’s GHOST. Second was Anthony Giordano’s TONIC and third went to JP Bretl’s SEAHAWK. In the PHRF 2 Division, winning was Daniel Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE.  Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier/ BlockIslandSteve. For more Edgartown Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Race Weekend Preview

(Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard)- According to world-famous New Zealand sailor Gavin Brady, “Edgartown Race Week always produces a lot of great stories.” He should know, since he sailed for years in Martha’s Vineyard on the TP52 VESPER- which belongs to summer native Jim Swartz (notable for his prescient investment in a little social media company called Facebook). Brady goes on to say, “the Vineyard is an awesome destination, and the club has a great feel to it with loads of history. The ‘Round-the-Island Race is a very tactical race with tides and plenty of passing opportunities– always enjoyable and never the same. This will be as much a great adventure as a race.”

Edgartown Race Weekend divisions includes racing for IRC, ORC, ORR, PHRF-NE (including Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker), Classics, One-Design, Multihull and Doublehanded boats. ’RTI/’RTS and ‘RTB are scored separately, with top-three prizes awarded in each class.

A Mount Gay-sponsored “Jump-Up” party on Friday night (July 26) and awards on both Friday afternoon and Sunday morning (July 28) round out the amazing social schedule.


Not surprisingly, the event is incredibly popular with many New England J/Crews, especially for those in Cape Cod and surrounding waters. Sailing in the RTB race PHRF B is Dan Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE.  In PHRF C are two J/105s (Matt Schmitt’s HARDTACK & the trio of Joyce/ Reservitz/ Wagner on DARK’N’STORMY).

For the RTI race, in PHRF 2 is Alan Fougere’s J/160 AVATAR and Kent Nicholas’ J/42 PANASEA. Sailing PHRF 5 are three J/105s (HARDTACK, DARK’N’STORMY, & Nantucket Community Sailing’s CLIO), Phil Stathos’ J/110 AIRBENDER, Steve Dahill’s J/35C RIVA, and Ira Perry’s J/29 SEEFEST.  Racing PHRF 6 are Jonathan Burt’s J/130 LOLA, Dick Egan’s J/46 WINGS, Doug Curtiss’ J/111 WICKED 2.0, Stephen Besse’s J/120 APRES, and two J/109s (Ed Dailey’s RAPTOR & Eliot Shanabrook’s HAFA ADAI).

Finally, in the RTS race, in PHRF 2 is Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE and the J/70 Class includes JP Bretl’s SEAHAWK, Veronica Lundgren’s GHOST, and Anthony Giordano’s TONIC.  For more Edgartown Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Calling All J/Crews- Edgartown Race Week & Round Island Beckons!

(Edgartown, MA)— J/Boat teams are always a big part of the action at Edgartown Yacht Club Race Weekend, and this year organizers are putting out an “A.P.B.” to all J/Fest participants and others who own J/Boats, inviting them to join the fun on Martha’s Vineyard over July 25th to 27th, 2019.

The three-day competition starts on Thursday with two days of ’Round-the-Buoys (’RTB) racing and finishes on Saturday with a choice of distance races: the traditional 56 nautical-mile ’Round-the-Island (’RTI) race and, introduced last year, the 20 nm ’Round-the-Sound (’RTS) race.


Sailors can choose to sail on all three days or just in one or the other of the distance races. Either way, there’s something for everyone and something extra for J/Boat teams in the ‘RTI race. A three-boat team, representing any given yacht club and with PHRF-NE rated entries in more than one division, qualifies for first-, second-, and third-place trophies based on best-corrected times. As well, there are top-three prizes for the best individual corrected time out of all J/Boats in the ’RTI.

As one of the smallest boats in the fleet last year, Ira Perry’s (Padanaram, Mass.) J/29 SEEFEST won the best-corrected-time J/Boat trophy in the ’RTI and finished second in his class. Perry has won the race a handful of times since he first sailed it in 2001 and has only missed a few years of competing here.

“It’s just spectacular scenery, some of the most beautiful in the area,” said Perry, “and the race is always tactically challenging, especially in light air when you need to concentrate on keeping the boat moving, but last year there was plenty of wind, and we were in by 4 p.m.”

Perry added that, as always is the case, the weekend will double as a getaway with his wife and kids, and this year he’s considering joining the ’Round-the-Buoys racing if his crew can come in early.

“Edgartown Yacht Club runs a great regatta, and they work hard to make the experience the best it can possibly be,” said Perry. “The organizers are very accommodating, and they ask for and listen to feedback, making changes according to it. You don’t see that happening too often with other regattas.”

Other J/Boat skippers signed up for the ’RTI are Edgartown Race Weekend veterans and past winners Ed Dailey and Richard Egan, entered, respectively, with the J/109 RAPTOR and the J/46 WINGS.


Brand new to the event will be Daniel Heun (Franklin, Mass.) skippering his J/122 MOXIEE in both the ’Round-the-Buoys races and the ’Round-the-Sound race. Huen has had his boat since 2014, having progressed from owning and racing a J/24, to a J/29, and then a J/105.

“When you want a new boat it usually is bigger than the last one,” said Heun, “and this one (hull #85 at 40 feet) is fit for cruising, with cherry joinery below, a refrigerator, etc., so the first couple of nights we’ll stay on it on the mooring, and then I’ll move ashore when my wife and daughter come in on Friday.”

Heun, a veteran of the Chicago to Mackinac Race, Newport to Bermuda Race, Block Island Race Week and other “racer’s races”, says he and his crew try to choose at least one weekend regatta each season where the families can be part of the fun.

“Edgartown Race Weekend is perfect, because it’s a long weekend instead of a week, and it’s in July, so it’s warm,” said Heun. “We’re planning on having good days of racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday while our families enjoy the beaches and shopping, and then we’ll have good dinners ashore with them each evening. We debated doing the ’RTI, but with the ’RTS we’re assured of getting back by late afternoon, and we’ll still be able to enjoy Edgartown after racing.”

Edgartown Race Weekend divisions are for IRC, ORC, ORR, PHRF-NE (including Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker), Classic, One-Design, Multihull and Doublehanded boats. ’RTI/’RTS and ‘RTB are scored separately, with top-three prizes awarded in each class.

Registration deadline for the ’Round-the-Island and ’Round-the Sound races is Wednesday, July 24, 2019.  (Registration deadline for team sign-up is Monday, July 22.) The entry fee for ’RTS is $125 ($150 after July 6). The fee for the ’RTI is $250.00 ($325 after July 5, 2019).

Registration deadline for the ’Round-the-Buoy races is Tuesday, July 23, 2019. The entry fee for ’RTB is $50 each day.

A Mount Gay-sponsored “Jump-Up” party on Friday night (July 26), and awards on both Friday afternoon and Sunday morning (July 28), round out the full social schedule.

To request a mooring, contact Clare Sullivan at Clare_Marie@hotmail.com. Follow Edgartown Yacht Club Racing on Facebook here.  For more information Edgartown Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Round the Island Race/ Round the Sound Fun!

(Edgartown, MA)- Edgartown Yacht Club’s ‘Round-the-Island Race (’RTI) – one of America’s oldest distance races– took place Saturday around Martha’s Vineyard. The 80-year-old race originated in 1938 and, except for the years of the Second World War, has been an annual event since then.  It is part of the Edgartown Yacht Club’s Edgartown Race Weekend, which includes two days of buoy racing (tomorrow and Friday) and a ‘Round-the-Sound Race that began immediately after the start for the ’RTI.

“The race was first conceptualized to be reminiscent of the race around the Isle of Wight in England, which was the course of the first America’s Cup,” said EYC Big Boat Racing Committee Co-Chair, Hal Findlay. “The distance around Martha’s Vineyard (56 nm) is only a few miles longer; both courses have views of cliffs, headlands, villages and open water; and the tidal currents and wind effects are important in both.”

Starting at 0800 Saturday morning, the ’RTI fleet (split into classes for Classics; PHRF A, B and C; PHRF Non-Spinnaker and Double-Handed) sailed between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket along the east beach of Chappaquiddick. At midday, the fleet headed into the open Atlantic Ocean off the south coast of the Vineyard.  In the afternoon, after rounding the gorgeous cliffs of Gay Head, the sailors then headed up Vineyard Sound to the finish near Edgartown Harbor. The fleet passed within sight of seven lighthouses: Cape Poge, Gay Head, Tarpaulin Cove, Nobska, West Chop, East Chop and Edgartown.

Douglas Curtiss’s J/111 WICKED 2.0 won PHRF A while Rick Egan’s J/46 WINGS took third place on the podium.

Winning the largest class- PHRF B- and leading a J/Boat sweep of the top five was Ed Dailey’s (Beverly, Mass.) J/109 RAPTOR. “It was a terrific race,” said Dailey, who has competed in the race seven times and has won his class twice now. “It always has so many different conditions, and the Vineyard is a storied place; it’s kind of magical.”  Just behind was an amazing tie for second place between Stephen McManus’ J/120 SAYKADOO and Eliot Shanabrook’s J/109 HAFA ADAI.  Fourth was Stephen Besse’s J/120 APRES’ and fifth place went to Ned Joyce’s J/105 DARK’N’STORMY.

Finishing third in PHRF C class was Ira Perry’s J/29 SEEFEST while Steve Dahill’s J/35C RIVA took 4th in class. Finally, Alan Fougere’s J/160 AVATAR finished 4th in PHRF Non-spinnaker class.

Round-the-Sound
The ‘Round-the-Sound fleet, which started directly after the ’RTI boats, finished midday on Saturday, sailing a course that took them seven miles toward Hyannis then four miles west and six miles back home. Winning the J/70 class was Isabella Giordano’s TONIC, second was Mike Eberstadt’s ARTEMIS, and third was Tim Cohan’s GHOST.  Sailing Photo Credits- Stephen Cloutier  For more Round the Island Race & Sound sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/111 Wins Round Island Race (Martha’s Vineyard)

(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- Here’s the story on how they did it from Gary Leduc at Quantum Sails Bristol.

“The race started at 8:00 am in 11-13 kts true from the East. We had a short port tack favored beat out to a drop mark, then a jib reach down Muskegett Channel to the sea buoy. The second leg was pretty much dead downwind, but the starboard jibe was a little favored.

The breeze stayed easterly until the very end of the 16-mile run, when the wind clocked a little SE and freshened. That made for a nice broad reach from Squibnocket to Devil’s Bridge. On the approach to Devil’s Bridge, the breeze slammed back to the East and started to freshen slightly to 14-16 kts. The tide was slack at Devil’s Bridge, but due to start flooding soon.

The key is to get up inside Middle ground in Vineyard Sound for the flood and ride a 2 kt boost all the way past Vineyard Haven.

That did happen for us, and as we came out of middle ground at West Chop, we where doing over 10 kts SOG right into the 14-16 kt Easterly! Those conditions made for very, very close, steep chop.

One issue we did have was the Ferry coming out of Vineyard Haven. We could not cross her bow. So, we had to tack onto port. We wanted to continue on starboard, but the ferry altered that plan slightly! Once clear, we tacked back onto port to a layline for the finish line.

We where bottom-rated boat in PHRF Class A, while the highest rating boat was Aurora- a 65 footer. Also, in our class were Chessie Racing and Irie and Crazy Horse- all big fast boats over 55 feet.

Our Corrected Time was 6:38:11, winning by margin of 19min 20sec!

Since 2013, the J/111 WICKED 2.0’s race record in the Around The Vineyard race looks like three 1sts and one 2nd. The TP 52 SPOOKIE won last year.

There was a good J/Boat duel going on in Class B. Ultimately, the J/109 beat out a couple of very well sailed J/120’s! It was a great day for sailing and going around the 60nm course! Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Bring the Family! Tips for an Unforgettable Annual Cruise

(Newport, RI)- Brad Read, owner of the J/40 NEPENTHE (and Executive Director of SAIL NEWPORT), wrote an awesome article for Windcheck Magazine about the fun and amazing times their family have had for decades cruising in company with friends.  Here is his story.

“To paraphrase Lt. Jonathan Kendrick from A Few Good Men, “I have two books on my bedside table: the Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book and The 12 Volt Bible. The only proper cruising authorities I’m aware of are George W. Eldridge, Donald J. Street, and Robert W. Read.” With that in mind, here are a few things my wife Cara and I have learned over many years of family cruising.

1. Start planning early. (It’s your one big “event” for the summer.)
Each Christmas as far back as I can remember, my Dad has given my brother Kenny and me an “Eldridge” (George W. Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book). It is literally my cruising bible for Southeastern New England. As the turkey hangover is setting in, I grab a pencil and start figuring out the prospective weeks of the cruise and how the raging river of current in Vineyard Sound will affect our daily planning. I know, that sounds weird. And it is… My kids laugh at me, my wife sprains her eyeballs rolling them back in her head watching me curled up in the big chair with my readers on, diligently going through the tables and determining the right day and tide cycles when we can get into (and out of) a certain harbor on the eastern shoulder of East Chop. (Can you guess which?)

We have, for the last six years, scheduled our “Kiddie Cruise” to coincide with several other families’ summer plans (as well as Eldridge’s guidelines!). This is a Read family tradition that goes back to when I was a boy. Our parents teamed up with six or seven other families and we “went east” as a group. I seem to remember those days more than I remember any other time during my childhood, thanks to the Pearson, Boss, Hazelhurst, Walls, Barney and Mulervy families, and so many other families we cruised with! We are so fortunate to have cruised with a great group of families over the years: The Burkes, the Marstons, the MacGillivrays, the Hoods, and other families that we have met up with along the way. Usually by February, we have chosen “the week” so that one of our team can arrange their charter.

2. Prioritize proper provisioning.
For the boys, we plan on how to adequately balance the weight of the “adult beverages” offset by the food and water tanks! The girls have been the masters of the food planning and have it down. We tend to eat on the boats whenever possible, grilling on the stern pulpits of two or three boats with pastas and vegetables cooked down below. We set up a kids boat and an adult boat. The food is always amazing…everything is better when you are floating in a harbor!

3. Keep the kids psyched.
Cara and I both grew up cruising, so it was natural for us to bring our kids cruising when they were little. We’ve been cruising with the kids since they were 5 and 7. We didn’t do much of the ‘toddler cruising’ when they were younger, opting instead for more day trips to secret beaches in our outboard.

Although kids of all ages enjoy adventure outings to find new secret beaches, we’ve learned that toys are key. Board games, water toys, beach toys, sailing dinghies, paddleboards, rope swings off the spinnaker pole, dinghy rides…got to make it fun or they won’t want to come!

The best thing we ever purchased was an inflatable paddleboard. It is a constant source of entertainment for the kids. We also bring regular paddleboards, kneeboards, surfboards, tow rope, etc., and of course the 11-foot inflatable dinghy. We also tow a small sailing dinghy.

Perhaps most importantly, games keep the kids unplugged from the devices!
When we are cruising, there are many harbors (coincidentally? conveniently?) that have no cell service! Perfect! I can’t tell you how many games of Bananagrams, go fish, gin rummy, Monopoly and other board games they’ve played! For the most part, the kids unplug from their phones and simply enjoy being in the company of the other kids. 

Then there is fishing. Thanks to our good friend Nate Burke, we’ve found the secret to keeping the kids occupied on the anchor. Literally before the anchor is set, in whatever harbor we enter, the fishing rods are out. While there are a variety of techniques, we’ve discovered the magic of the “sabiki” rig! We never leave Newport without a stash of Sabiki rigs. Comprising six to ten small hooks on individual dropper lines, they are perfect for small scup that are prevalent in southeastern New England, and also for smaller bluefish, schoolie bass, and the dreaded sea robin. We are a catch and release family, so we don’t do much trolling from harbor to harbor.

4. Go cruising in company.
Being with just the family is great for a three-day weekend, but cruising with other families is a huge advantage! From pre-cruise provisioning and who is bringing what toys to dealing with any issues we have with the boats, we are a team, and having other kids, friends and boats around makes it so much fun.

On our cruises, there are seldom times where just one family is on one boat. The kids (and adults) are everywhere. We set up a ‘kids’ boat’ and an ‘adult boat’ for dinners and breakfasts. Coffee in the morning often turns into a full comedy show among the parents, and everyone loves blowing off the cannon at dusk. From dinghy adventures into town to poring over the Eldridge and the weather to find the next night’s anchorage, it’s so fun going with other families!

5. Secret spots
It has been great having all of our boats draw less than 5.25 feet. We can get into some really skinny spots and anchor where there are not a lot of boats. I have been cruising southeastern New England for nearly all my life. I absolutely love sailing on Narragansett Bay, and encourage everyone to explore its nooks and crannies and many wonderful harbors.

When we travel outside Narragansett Bay, we tend to head east, with Cuttyhunk being the natural first night/last night harbor. It’s quaint but busy, with great little beaches where you can watch the world go by coming in and out of the harbor. (Editors Note: They gotta wicked awesome fish dip there too, Pally) We also enjoy visiting Quick’s Hole, Tarpaulin Cove or West Beach along the Elizabeth Islands chain for lunch and swimming. Depending on weather and tide, we might also hop over to Menemsha or maybe Tashmoo on Martha’s Vineyard for an overnight.

We always go to Edgartown, rent a mooring and do a trip to Katama and South Shore beaches of the Vineyard. A personal favorite is Cotuit, which we can (barely) fit into. The channel leading in is amazing and while we don’t go there each year, it is a treat to make it through that amazing waterway and into Cotuit Harbor.

And then there is Hadley’s Harbor, which is simply one of the most idyllic harbors in the world. With deer and horses roaming the hills above the anchorage and gorgeous shallow rivers to explore in the dinghies and paddleboards, it is my favorite harbor, bar none.

6. Sail and power?
We have been (mostly) an all-sail squadron, but one of our families has just gone the lobster boat route, refurbishing a beautiful Holland 32. This will be the first year of that boat, which will allow for a bit more range on day trips: Cape Poge Bay, and maybe a jaunt to Tuckernuck. Can’t wait to see the dynamic of all the kids wanting to go on the powerboat to get to the next harbor quicker!

7. Success!
In 2017, we scheduled our cruise and the kids all dropped everything to join us. Brendan, our 20-year-old (he celebrates his birthday on the cruise almost every year) qualified for the J/70 Youth Nationals, and after his team received their silver medal he hopped on the ferry from New Bedford to the Vineyard and walked the three miles to the town dock in Tashmoo to join the cruise. There was no way he was going to miss “the cruise.”

That night, while the “kids’ boat” was deep in the 50th game of Rummy Cube in a row, one of the parents overheard a conversation about what kind of boats they would all have when they were older to start their own cruise. It’s unclear if the parents will be invited…

Brad Read is the Executive Director of Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center. “I love being on the water, being around the water, cruising, racing – anything that involves boats,” he enthuses. “That is probably why I am in the business of sharing that experience through Sail Newport!”
Thanks to Ben Cesare and Windcheck Magazine Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Race Weekend Adds 'Round-Sound Race

(Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard)- Edgartown Yacht Club Race Weekend, a Martha’s Vineyard tradition anchored by its ’Round-the-Island Race (’RTI) of eight decades, is adding a new ’Round-the-Sound Race (‘RTS) option for teams wanting to sail a shorter course of approximately 20.0nm around government marks on Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. The ’RTS adds yet another dimension to Edgartown Yacht Club Race Weekend and is an attractive alternative for those wanting to go a bit easier on Saturday or just even try short-distance racing for the first time.

The ’RTS will start at 0900 on Saturday, July 21, soon after the final start for all classes entered in the 56.0nm ’RTI, which never ceases to challenge even the best of sailors while simultaneously wowing them with “The Vineyard’s” scenic splendor.

The Saturday of short-distance racing follows two days of popular ’Round-the-Buoy Races (’RTB) in Edgartown’s Outer Harbor. The ’RTB Races were added several years ago to add diversity to its format and extend the fun of Race Weekend on its front end.

Edgartown Yacht Club Race Weekend traditionally attracts entrants from the Eastern Seaboard and beyond, delivering superb racing action for boats 28 feet and longer in classes for IRC, ORC, ORR, PHRF (spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions), Double-Handed, and Classic yachts. Professional teams as well as amateurs enter, and the mix is what keeps the atmosphere upbeat and adventurous.

The deadline for signing up for the ’Round-the-Island or ’Round-the Sound is Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The registration fee for ’RTS is $125 before July 6 and $175 after that date. The registration fee for the ’RTI has been decreased to $250.00 before July 6 and $325 thereafter.

The ’Round-the-Buoy Races registration fee for all classes will be $50 each day. The deadline for each of the two days that those races are held is Tuesday, July 17, 2018. The distance races for each day of ‘RTB are scored separately. Prizes will be awarded for all qualifying classes, including one-design, for those boats that participate in both Thursday and Friday races.

A Mount Gay-sponsored “Jump-Up” party on Friday night (July 20); and prize givings on both Friday and Sunday (July 22) round out the social on/shore schedule for competitors entered in one or more of the racing sessions.  Follow Edgartown Yacht Club Racing on Facebook  For more Edgartown YC Race Weekend sailing information  http://www.rtirace.org or email contact- racer@edgartownyc.org Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Edgartown Race Weekend J/Boats Trophies!

(Edgartown, MA)- J/Boat participation in the Edgartown 'Round-the-Island Race is ever increasing!  To recognize and honor these yachts, trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded on corrected time amongst all the J/Boats in all classes!!  Like many of the world’s epic “round island races”, the blast around Martha’s Vineyard Island ranks amongst one of the most challenging anywhere and is about the same distance as the famous Round Island Race of the Isle of Wight.

Why not sail America’s version of that famous race around beautiful Martha’s Vineyard?  The challenges are every bit as crazy as you round various points, bluffs, tidal races and gorgeous beaches.

No question, one of the ten best weekends of the year, especially if you live in New England, is upon us.  Often, we’ve dreamt of these days while shoveling mounds of snow or paying the heating bill.  For sailors, especially, who look to combine competition with great camaraderie, there is no better way to spend one of these precious weekends than competing in Edgartown Yacht Club’s Edgartown Race Weekend, which offers the option of two-day Round-the-Buoy Races (Thursday and Friday, July 20-21) or the iconic Round-the-Island Race (Saturday, July 22), or both.

The Friday night “Jump-Up” sponsored by Mount Gay is held at Edgartown Yacht Club and follows the Round-the-Buoy awards presentations for winners of each day as well as overall for both days.  Saturday’s Round-the-Island Race is open to IRC, ORR, ORC, PHRF-NE (including spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions), classic, one-design, multihull and double-handed boats. The Round-the-Island Race awards ceremony is on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Edgartown Yacht Club.
     
Make room for this event on your summer calendar and come join us as we celebrate summer sailing with friends!  For more Round-the-Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.