The Holmes Hole Sailing Association continued its summer season of handicap sailboat racing from Vineyard Haven harbor with a Thursday night race on July 28 and a Sound race on July 31.

Thursday night was a beautiful evening with a pleasant eight knots of east wind. Fourteen boats posted for the 6 p.m. start at red nun 6. The course took the fleet to nun 4 at West Chop, then to green can 23a at East Chop and back to nun 6. The first leg was a beam reach on the starboard tack. After rounding the nun, a beat ensued, with a run and reach for the final leg to the finish.

Finishing first was Roger Becker in the C& C 24, Gloria. In second was Phil Hale in the Shields, Wicked. In third was Dan Culkin in the Vineyard Vixen, Magic Time. Fourth was Jerry Goodale in Stormalong, fifth was David Lott in Avanti, sixth was John and Lisa Stout in Isabella, seventh was Andy Berry in Isobar, eighth was Mike Loberg in Masquerade, ninth was Kathy Logue and Ernie Mendenhall in Rocinante III, 10th was Steve Besse in Après, 11th was Dan Pesch in Sparrow, 12th was Mary Worrall in Second Wind, 13th was Charlie Felder in Blu J and 14th was Frank Desimone in Lagoonah.

Sunday was a warm, sunny day with a light west wind of zero to five knots. Fourteen boats posted for the noon start at red nun 6 outside of the breakwater. The race committee called for a zigzag course from the nun to green can 23a at East Chop, then to red nun 4 at West Chop, then to buoy RW NW in Nantucket Sound, and back to nun 6. The fleet limped to the green can, looking for wind, then proceeded to the red nun. Much of the fleet stalled there, trying to fight the west setting current in the light air. For many, dropping an anchor would have kept them closer to the mark, as they were in “reverse” in the current. After over two hours, the race committee abandoned the race for the slower B division. In the A division, four of the ten starters were able to complete the course.

Finishing first in the A division was Steve Besse in the J-120, Après. In second was Jerry Goodale in his Pearson 32, Stormalong. In third was Mo Flam in the Alerion 28, Penelope. Fourth was Andy Berry in Isobar. Gloria, King Kiwi, Grasshopper, Undine and Wicked dropped out in the light air.

In the B division, a valiant but futile effort was made by Magic Time, Isabella, Avanti, Evelyn May, Julia Lee and Lagoonah.

The summer racing series continues most Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. New members are actively encouraged, as are guest boats. Anyone interested should contact Diane Hartmann at 508-693-4592.