Sports

By Don Lyons - September 13, 2007

Jeff Robinson and Phra Luang win the George Moffett Race Strong winds power large fleet in 30th sailing

The 30th George Moffett Race, sponsored by the Holmes Hole Sailing Association, was Saturday with the start and finish off the East Chop side of Vineyard Haven Harbor. Fifty-seven vessels registered for the race. The day was warm and sunny with a robust southwest wind of 15-25 knots and some higher gusts. The Race Committee - Honorary Chairman Hugh Schwarz, Chairman Harry Duane, Principal Race Officer Brock Callen, Commodore Jerry Goodale, Race Secretary Kathy Logue, Roger Becker, Irving Gates, Nat Benjamin, and Sally Culkin -had designed a great course which took the fleet from East Chop to buoy RW NW Mo(A) Bell in Nantucket Sound, then to Red Bell 16 near Falmouth Harbor, then to Red Bell 12 at Succonesset Shoal off South Cape Beach in Mashpee. After rounding the last mark to port, the fleet sailed back the way it came to the finish line near East Chop. Fifty boats started and 42 boats finished the 20-mile course.

As the diverse fleet of boats, ranging in size from 20 to 60 feet, approached the line for the 11 am start, spectators on the East Chop shore were treated to quite a sight as the boats jockeyed for position, sailing in close quarters. The race committee had divided the fleet into two divisions, with the starting gun for the slower division II boats sounding at 11 am sharp and the faster division I boats allowed across the line at 11:15. The race committee boat - with Hugh Schwarz, Harry Duane, Brock Callen, Mike Wilson, Mary Worrell, Charley Felder, Marian Hammond and Polly Brown on board - was anchored at the starboard end of the starting line, which was roughly perpendicular with the East Chop shore and long enough to accommodate the large fleet. Most of the boats started on a broad reach on the port tack and made for buoy RW NW, allowing for the west setting current. After rounding the mark, the fleet hardened up and headed for Falmouth Harbor, continuing to be mindful of the west flow of the Sound. After jibing around red bell 16, the vessels sailed against the current to Succonesset on a broad reach on the starboard tack. After jibing around the bell, the fleet beat to windward back to Falmouth Harbor with the tide and against the powerful southwest wind. After rounding the bell, a beam reach on the starboard tack brought the fleet back to buoy RW NW, with the fleet screaming before the strongest wind of the day across some large and lumpy seas kicked up by the opposition of wind and current. After rounding RW NW, the sailors beat to the finish. At the award ceremony at Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, sailors were treated to chowder and other fine food, at a party organized by Sally Culkin. The assembled mariners were elated with the fine race and challenging conditions, with veteran sailors agreeing that no Moffett Race in memory had seen higher winds.

Finishing first in corrected time was the schooner Phra Luang, sailed by Jeff Robinson. Second was Jerry Goodale in the Pearson 32, Stormalong. Bob Jewett in the Soling, Andiamo was third. Fourth was Ben Hannigan in the Luders 27, Summertime and fifth was Don Rappaport in the J 35, Juliani.

Then came Jim Lobdell (6) in the schooner, Malabar II. Mike Loberg in Masquerade and Ged Delaney in Ardent tied for seventh, followed by Dan Culkin (9) in Magic Time, Ernie Mendenhall and Kathy Logue (10) in Rocinante III, Damian McLaughlin (11) in Arion, Irving Gates (12) in King Kiwi, Bruce Courcier (13) in Sea Queen, John and Lisa Stout (14) in Isabella, Tom and Laurie Welch (15) in Eastaway, John Amabile (16) in Solitude, Roger Becker (17) in Gloria, Bobbie Crosby (18) in Celeste, and Jim O'Connor (19) in Glimmer.

Next were Whit Hanschka (20) in Sally, Doug Heil (21) in Pearly Baker, Robert Robinson (22) in Phalarope, Phil Hale (23) in Mischief, Rob Doyle (24) in Hope, Sean Burke (25) in Pleione, Brian Roberts (26) in Starfish, Bruce Slater (27) in Shy Fox, Carl Beverly (28) in Vamoose, Mike Jacobs (29) in Sakie, Geof Gibson (30) in Latonka, Kevin Nagel (31) in Dawn Treader, Jim Pepper (32) in Agave, Jim Pringle (33) in Myfanwy, Frank Brunelle (34) in Restless Wind, Nancy Woitkoski (35) in Cetus, Bill Coogan (36) in Flying Bugster, John Vose (37) in Limulus, Robert Woodruff (38) in Tiercel, Alan Wilson (39) in High Tide, Tom Graham (40) in Swallows and Amazons, Rich Washington (41) in Old Cat, and Ian Mccolgin (42) in Marmalade.

This great event is named for a true yachtsman, George Moffett, Jr., a founding father of the Holmes Hole Sailing Association, who donated Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary to the Island. He campaigned his yacht, Guinevere, winning both the SORC and the Bermuda Race. Upon his death, Pat West and Lucia Moffett, George's wife and the 1981 winner, created the race in his honor. It has been sailed every year since 1978. Veteran skippers agreed that the wind, weather, and fleet made this running one of the most memorable.

Information for this article was provided by John Amabile.

Football teams collar Bulldogs

The MVRHS varsity scored a touchdown in the second quarter and made that hold up by shutting out Old Rochester in the season opener for both squads, 7-0.

The purple TD, by Matt Lucier, capped a 73-yard drive, that was aided and abetted by a 15-yard penalty.

Zack Coutinho's kick was good for the extra point.

Lucier, Josh Paulson, and Eric Dolliver took turns carrying the mail.

The M.V. defensive line was impressive. After an initial 50-yard gainer, the Bulldogs were held to shorter gains. Linebacker Jeff Osborne and lineman Finn Kaeka seemed to be at the bottom of the pile with some regularity.

Jayvees too

On Saturday, the M.V. junior varsity topped the Bulldog JVs, 14-8. The first purple TD was scored on a one-yard plunge in the first quarter with two extra points added on a pass play.

Old Rochester scored in the second quarter on a 12-yard run, then tied the score passing for a two-point conversion.

The islanders regained the lead in the third period but failed to add extra points.

Friday's games are at Carver.

Soccer teams kick off

The MVRHS boys soccer team, hit with 16 June graduations, held its own at Nauset in the season opener, Wednesday, 0-0. Shutout goalie Nico Cuba, one of the few holdovers from last year's South Shore League Champs, was matched by the Warriors' Brett Conrad.

Friday, the Islanders defeated Seekonk there, 2-1, with goals by Leandro Trindade and Nico Cuba. Tuesday, finishing in the rain, the Islanders hosted Wareham, their first home game, and treated the Vikings to a 7-0 thrashing. Both Nico Cuba and Jock Cooperrider scored twice. Other goals were by Felipe Freitas, Fabio Matta, and Shane Schofield. Nick Wojtkielo handled all threats to the shutout, which, truth be told, were few in number.

The team was at Dighton-Rehoboth yesterday.

Girls tie, lose

The MVRHS girls soccer team opened at home with Seekonk, Friday, and tied the Warriors, 1-1, on a goal by Erin Morris, assisted by Rachel Schubert. Kia Minor was the Vineyard net-tender. The Billerica Indians brought strong teams to the Island for Saturday games and sailed away with two wins: 4-1 for the varsity, 4-0 for the junior varsity.

Tuesday's game at Wareham was rescheduled to Oct. 10

Dighton-Rehoboth visited yesterday.

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