The Holmes Hole Sailing Association commenced its summer season of handicap sailboat racing from Vineyard Haven harbor with a tune-up race on Sunday, June 20. It was a gray, humid early summer day at the noon start, with a brisk, west southwest wind of 15 to 20 knots.

Thirteen boats posted for the start gun at red nun 6 outside the Vineyard Haven harbor breakwater.

The race committee set a 10.2-mile course in the waters on the border of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, which took the fleet on a triangular course from the starting line north to red nun 14 off Falmouth harbor, then east to red nun 16 off Great Pond in Falmouth, and returning to Vineyard Haven harbor. The current in the Sounds was setting across the course to the East throughout the race.

The fleet ran downwind by nun 4 at West Chop, keeping the buoy to port, and then ran across the sound. After rounding nun 14, the boats sailed a beam reach on the starboard tack to nun 16, moving fast with the tide.

After rounding the mark, a beat to windward commenced across the sound and into the harbor with the finish at nun 6.

Finishing first was Rebecca Colson in the Nonsuch 26, Silhouette. In second was Ed Cerullo in the Morris 36, Undine. In third was Mike Loberg in the Morris 36, Masquerade. Fourth was Rob Hale in Wicked, fifth was Jerry Goodale in Stormalong. Sixth were Tom and Laurie Welch in Eastaway, seventh was Kathy Logue in Rocinante III, eighth was Andy Berry in Isobar, ninth was Roger Becker in Gloria, 10th was Diane Hartmann in Triumph, 11th was Alan Wilson in High Tide, 12th was David Lott in Avanti, and 13th was Jim Pringle in Myfanwy.

Next came a night race on June 24 and two harbor races on June 27.

Thursday night was a warm evening with a robust 20 plus knots of southwest wind. Six 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 run downwind. After rounding the nun, a fast reach on the starboard tack took the fleet to East Chop, where a beat to the finish ensued.

Finishing first was Dan Culkin in the Vineyard Vixen, Magic Time. In second were John and Lisa Stout in the Gannon and Benjamin sloop, Isabella. Third was the Pearson 32 Stormalong, sailed by Jerry Goodale. Fourth was Phil Hale in Wicked and fifth was Ed Cerullo in Undine. Avanti retired in the heavy air.

Sunday was a warm hazy morning with a light south southwest wind in the morning, increasing to 5 to 10 knots and shifting to southwest in the afternoon. Fifteen boats posted for the 10 a.m. start at red nun 6 outside of the breakwater. The race committee called for a triangular course from nun 6 to green can 23a at East Chop, then to red nun 4 at West Chop, and back to red nun 6 in the harbor, twice around. The first leg was a slow run downwind. After rounding the mark, a close reach to West Chop ensued with a tedious beat to windward back to nun 6 where the race committee shortened the course and finished the fleet.

Finishing first in the A division was Steve Besse in the J 120, Apres. In second was Phil Hale in the Soling, Wicked. In third was Geoff Gibson in the wooden sloop, Latonka. Fourth was Andy Berry in Isobar, fifth was Roger Becker in Gloria, sixth was Mike Loberg in Masquerade, seventh was Ed Cerullo in Undine and eighth was Jerry Goodale in Stormalong.

In the B division, first was Rebecca Colson in the Nonsuch 26, Silhouette. In second was Alan Wilson in the Marshall 22, High Tide. In third were Tom and Laurie Welch in the Vineyard Vixen, Eastaway. Fourth was Mo Flam in Lumia, fifth was David Lott in Avanti, sixth was Dan Culkin in Magic Time and seventh was Jim Pringle in Myfanwy.

Fourteen boats posted for the afternoon race at 2 p.m., with the building wind. The fleet sailed the triangular course from nun 6 to red nun 4 at West Chop, then to green can 23a at East Chop, and back to red nun 6 in the harbor, twice around.

Finishing first in the A division was Steve Besse in the J 120, Apres. In second was Phil Hale in the Soling, Wicked. In third was Roger Becker in the C7C 24, Gloria. Fourth was Jerry Goodale in Stormalong, fifth was Mike Loberg in Masquerade, sixth was Andy Berry in Isobar, and seventh was Ed Cerullo in Undine.

In the B division, first were John and Lisa Stout in the Gannon and Benjamin sloop, Isabella. In second was Alan Wilson in the Marshall 22, High Tide. In third was Rebecca Colson in the Nonsuch 26, Silhouette. Fourth were Tom and Laurie Welch in Eastaway. Fifth was Joe Vera in Sole E Mar and sixth was Mo Flam in Lumia. Avanti retired.

The summer racing continues with a sound race at noon on July 4; races are on Thursday nights and Sundays. New members are actively encouraged, as are guest boats. Anyone interested should contact Diana Hartmann at 508-693-4592.