Holmes Hole Sailors Race

In Vineyard Haven Waters

The Holmes Hole Sailing Association continued its Thursday evening series of handicap sailboat racing from Vineyard Haven harbor with a 6 p.m. race on July 10. 

It was a warm, hazy evening with a fresh southwest wind of 10 to 15 knots. Ten boats posted for the start at red nun 6 outside of the Vineyard Haven breakwater.

A triangle course was set with the fleet sailing to red nun 4 at West Chop, then to green can 23A at East Chop and returning to the finish line at red nun 6. The fleet ran downwind to West Chop. After rounding the mark, a broad reach on the starboard tack to East Chop was followed by a beat to the finish.

Placing first was Bo Van Riper in a Vineyard 15, Tyche. In second was Jerry Goodale in a Pearson 31, Stormalong. In third was Jeff Craig in the catboat Rosa Parks.   

The Sunday racing was skipped to allow Holmes Hole sailors to participate in the Edgartown Yacht Club’s ’Round the Island Race on July 12. Holmes Hole skipper Roger Becker won the cruising class in his C& C 24, Gloria, maintaining a string of victories for the association in that event.

This weekend, a large Holmes Hole contingent will be competing in the Vineyard Cup, an event in its second year sponsored by Sail Martha’s Vineyard.  

More information about the association races is available by calling 508-693-4592.