After qualifying for the Fritz Mark trophy race in Hyannis last weekend, the Vineyarders thought they had missed the chance to move on to the national invitational, despite a hard-fought comeback at the end. Now another team has dropped out and Island sailors will race in Cambridge this weekend.
Spring sports at the regional high school are underway and lacrosse, track and field, tennis, sailing, baseball and softball all look to have promising seasons so far.
Home sports action picks up after April vacation on Monday with boys’ lacrosse taking on Dartmouth at 3 p.m. On Tuesday girls’ lacrosse hosts league opponent Coyle and Cassidy at 3 p.m., and sailing takes on Barnstable at the Sailing Camp Park at 3 p.m.
Bats are cracking, sails are full of wind and tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks are in evidence as the spring sports season gets under way at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
Girls’ tennis opens Tuesday at 3 p.m. when the team takes on Barnstable. Also on Tuesday at 3 p.m., boys’ lacrosse hosts Bishop Stang.
Like so many Vineyarders do, the high school sailing team gathered Monday afternoon at the Steamship Authority docks to wait for a boat.
Or, more specifically, their six boats, which rolled off the Island Home on the back of a trailer to much applause and cheering.
Thanks to gifts from Sail MV benefactors — the program provides equipment and a home base for the team — the team was able to purchase brand new 420s for the fleet. This is the first new fleet in the program’s history; previous boats were always purchased used.
Unlike other spring sports at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, sailing can’t move indoors in inclement weather.
The team is on the water most afternoons, after catching the bus from school to Sailing Camp Park (parent organization Sail MV provides the facilities and equipment for the team). When it rains, they rig up the boats. When there’s no wind, they go out and practice nonetheless. And if there’s a late-season snow shower, well, the team’s still on the water. About the only thing that can keep them inside is lightning.
