Holmes Hole Sailing Association Kicks Off 2014 Season with Pot Luck, Tune-Up Race

Tango, a J/100, skippered by Phil Hale, one of the newest additions to the Holmes Hole fleet.

The Holmes Hole Sailing Association kicked off the summer season in a big way last Saturday with its first-ever opening-weekend pot luck supper, followed by the annual Tune-Up Race the next day on Sunday June 15.

 

More than 34 skippers and crew converged on Steve and Pam Besse's house in Vineyard Haven for the supper where Commodore Gerry Goodale announced the season asofficially started and Roger Becker issued sailing instructions.

 

Tune-Up Race Starts Season
The next day Frank DeSimone captained his Colombia 32 sloop for the opening-daywin by nearly five minutes over second-place finisher Penelope, skippered by Mo Flam.

 

Coming in third was Brian Roberts aboard Aileen, a Sparkman & Stephens entry, and fourth was HHSA newcomer Adam Hayes aboard Reslience, an S&S Dolphin. Overall, 12 boatscame to the line and set out for East Chop on Course No. 1, a 6.5 mile loop that sent the fleet twice around the harbor buoys.

 

The wind blew out of the north with just enough authority at 12 knots to craft a beautiful afternoon of sailing. All boats finished in just over two hours with both A and B division vessels competing as one group.

 

Next Series Race

The next race on the series calendar is on Sunday June 22 and will start at 12 noon on a course that will take the fleet out into Vineyard Sound. Competitors will be divided into divisions A and B to begin season series scoring.

 

All island sailors should also take note that this Saturday, June 21, the historic whaling ship Charles W. Morgan will sail into Vineyard Haven harbor on its first tour in 100 years. Holmes Hole members and interested sailors will be out in force on their boats in a Parade of Sail that will welcome the vessel at noon.

If you are interested in joining the HHSA, all new members are welcome. Contact David Lott at 508-693-6204 for more information.