Beautiful October weather and the Holmes Hole Sailing Association fall racing series continued in lock step last Sunday. Eight boats came to the line to take on a sunny Harbor Course 1 in a building westerly breeze.

Joining the fun was the Bristol Corinthian 19 Lucy, which would have scored in the middle of the fleet had she had a handicap.

Dan Culkin skippered his Vineyard Vixen to a first place finish and with it took over sole ownership of the top spot in the fall series. Her position is tenuous, though, as Mo Flam’s Penelope, an Alerion 28, came in second and with one more qualifying race, will be hot on her heels. Several other competitors are on the cusp of qualifying, which will make for an interesting finish as the season approaches its conclusion.

Taking third on the day was Frank DeSimone aboard Lagoonah, a Columbia 32. With the bronze finish, Lagoonah is just one qualifying race away from getting counted in the series standings.

There was more than just an HHSA race going on in Vineyard Haven harbor last Sunday. The Tashmoo Yacht Club, aka the Lake Street Wharf Rats Association, issued a kind invitation to Holmes Holers to join them on their Fourth Great Annual Tarpaulin Cove Fall Sail. With the tide turning west at 9 a.m., the conditions were all set for a trip down the Sound to Tarp and an afternoon return.

After the conclusion of the morning Holmes Hole race, several boats were seen taking a U-turn after crossing the finish line and heading back out to the Sound. The Wharf Rats decreed that there would be no racing. So the trek down Sound was sunny, bright and all about the journey.

The next Holmes Hole race is Sunday, Oct. 12, with a 10 a.m. start. For more information, visit holmeshole.org.