The last three 2015 races of the Holmes Hole Sailing Association were held on Thursday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 6.

Thursday produced a windless afternoon that found several HHSA sailors convened on the town dock contemplating the glassy harbor and discussing whether or not to hold the race. After a certain amount of dithering by the group, our Chappaquiddick skipper announced that he was going out, “having come all this way.” Immediately all followed suit and got on board, both literally and figuratively. It was so calm that two motorless boats had to be towed to the start. Then within a few minutes there was a whisper and a rustle and a serviceable 5 to 6 mph breeze materialized, and a shortened, serene and dreamlike race under slightly overcast skies ensued. Afterward, just as everyone was properly moored, the breeze died completely.

Jerry Goodale aboard Stormalong. — Lisa Stout

Masquerade, a Morris 36 sailed by Michael Loberg, once again took first in the A Division. Artful Dodger, a Tartan 3500 all the way from Falmouth, skippered by Mike Powers, was second, while Phil Hale’s J/100, Tango, came in third.

For the B Division, Isabella, a G&B Bella sailed by John and Lisa Stout won the (coffee) Cup, edging out Woody Bowman’s catboat Julia Lee. Avanti, a Cape Dory belonging to David Lott, took the third spot.

Labor Day weekend Sunday was full of surprises and challenges. There was plenty of sun but very little breeze at the start of the 10 a.m. race, and what little there was changed direction on each leg. It seemed that in the course of the day the wind circled the compass twice. And there were some baffling and frustrating windless holes on both the morning and afternoon courses, both of which were shortened. At one point in the afternoon about seven boats were all stalled together in a flotilla, bouncing around between the two Chops for about 20 minutes. Inexplicably a breeze came up from a completely different direction and off they went. “A sailor’s life is a hard life” . . . and often confusing.

In the morning the three stalwarts who showed up in the A Division finished as follows: First was Tango, second Escape, another J/100 sailed by Tom and Laurie Welch, and Masquerade in third. Out of eight starters in the B Division, Stormalong, a Pearson 31 skippered by Jerry Goodale, took the top spot; Mo Flam’s Penelope, an Alerion 28, was second and Isabella came in third. A few more boats entered the 2:00 race: three in the A Division again, with Escape besting Tango this time. Soma Holiday, a Hanse 335 skippered by Frank Sutula, did not finish. Of the 12 boats in the B Division, the sprightly Gloria, a C&C 24 sailed by Roger Becker, not only swept both divisions on corrected time, but on elapsed time as well. Stormalong took a second, and Trinity, a C&C 37 with David McDonough at the helm, was third.

It was very heartening and heartwarming to see Dan Culkin’s Magic Time, a Vixen 29, back in the fleet after a summer of enforced rest. Magic Time neatly took a fourth spot on her first and last appearance of the season. She’s been missed this year.

The Holmes Hole sailing association has had an exciting and gratifying season with some tightly contested races and some lyrically beautiful sails. The association is made up of both year round and seasonal residents, and there is always a lively exchange of theories, information and sailing lore on Thursday evenings. The final awards for the season were announced at an annual potluck dinner, held this year on Sept. 9. If you wish to join for next season, the website is holmeshole.org.