Sports
Jerry Goodale wins the 31st Moffett
The 31st running of the George Moffett Race sponsored by the Holmes Hole Sailing Association took place on Saturday, September 6, 2008, with the start and finish off East Chop.
Photos by Louisa Gould
With Tropical Storm Hanna bearing down on the Island, The Race Committee - consisting of Honorary Chairmen Hugh Schwarz and Harry Duane, Principal Race Officer Brock Callen, Commodore John Amabile, Race Secretary Kathy Logue, Roger Becker, Jerry Goodale, Irving Gates, Nat Benjamin, and Sally Culkin, had a tough decision to make at the Friday night skippers' meeting at the Gannon and Benjamin Shipyard. Was it safe to go forward with the race? With careful monitoring of all available weather data, it was determined that a safe race could take place, and the Saturday, 11:20 am start was confirmed.
Fifty-one vessels had entered this year's race, with 28 posting at the East Chop starting line and 26 finishing the race. It was overcast, with the threat of rain and a south, southeast wind of 10-15 knots. Although a tropical storm warning was in effect, the wind never exceeded 20 knots, and there were glimpses of sunshine, along with periods of rain. The race committee boat, with Hugh Schwarz, Brock Callen, Mary Worrell, Charley Felder, and Marian Hammond on board, set the starting line, and Brock Callen made the final decision that the race could safely go forward.
As the diverse fleet of boats ranging in size from 20 to 60 feet approached the line for the 11:20 start, the skippers 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 firing at 11:20 and the faster division I boats crossing the line at 11:30.
A 15.3-mile course was set 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 2 at Waquoit Bay, then to green can 13 at L'Hommedieu Shoal, then to buoy rg near Oak Bluffs, then to green bell 23 at East Chop and back to the finish line.
The fleet started in good order and ran downwind to buoy RW NW, allowing for the beginning of an east-setting current which would build throughout the race. After rounding the mark, the boats hardened up and headed for Falmouth Harbor, sailing a beam reach on the port tack. After jibing around red bell 16, the vessels sailed a beam reach on the starboard tack with the current pushing them along to the red bell at Waquoit. Rounding the bell to starboard, the fleet sailed a close reach to the green can and beat to windward to buoy rg. After rounding the rg, the fleet sailed a beam reach on the port tack to green bell 23, and hardened up for the final short leg to the finish line.
At the award ceremony at the Headquarters of Sail Martha's Vineyard, the sailors were treated to chowder and other fine food, organized by Sally Culkin. The assembled mariners were happy with the fine race and challenging conditions, with the optimistic sailors agreeing that even the periodic rain showers had been pleasantly warm.
Finishing first on corrected time was Jerry Goodale in the Pearson 32, Stormalong, a long-time competitor and Holmes Hole stalwart who, with his regular crewmember Barbara St. Pierre, finally made the winner's circle. Line honors went to the Gannon and Benjamin built schooner, Juno, with Captain Scott DiBiaso at the helm, finishing second on corrected time. In third was Irving Gates in his Sabre 38, King Kiwi, followed by (4) Kathy Logue in the Tartan 34, Rocinante III; (5) Don Rappaport in the J 35, Juliani; (6) Roger Becker in Gloria; (7) John Amabile in Solitude; (8) Bob Jewett in Andiamo II; (9) Don Cohan in Summertime; (10) Robert Hale in Wicked; (11) Dan Culkin in Magic Time; (12) Phil Hale in Mischief; (13) Mike Loberg in Masquerade; (14) Nat Benjamin in Charlotte; (15) Sandy Alexander in Falcor; (16) Jim Lobdell in Malabar; (17) Mal Jones in Sanderling; (18) Bobbie Crosby in Celeste; (19) Ian McColgin in Marmalade; (20) Alan Wilson in High Tide; (21) Winship Fuller in Mandarel; (22) Jim Pringle in Myfanwy; (23) Peter Goodale in Stormalong II; (24) Karl Frey in Valora; (25) Fred Lucas in Bon Vie Vent; (26) Mike Jacobs in Sakie. Flying Bugster and Restless Wind retired.
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, and this year, with the tropical storm creating anxiety about cancelation, the skippers agreed that the wind, weather and fleet made this running special and quite enjoyable.
Field hockey opens with a win
Lisa Knight has returned to the sidelines taking over the field hockey coaching reins, ably assisted by Liane Dixon. The well-coached girls opened their season with a convincing 3-1 win over Pembroke here, Friday.
Martha's Vineyard goals were scored by Kate Cecilio, Emma Frizzell, and Sophie Lew.
Next challenge for the girls is today at Sandwich. Old Rochester visits Monday.
Photos by Ralph Stewart
Rescheduled soccer
Last Saturday's girls and boys soccer games with Oliver Ames and Pembroke were postponed due to the stormy weather and have been rescheduled. The girls will play Oliver Ames here Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 3:15, and the boys will play Pembroke here Thursday, October 30, at 3:30.
Last Thursday both the boys and girls soccer teams played Nauset and neither were able to score. The boys lost 4-0, and the girls 2-0.
It certainly wasn't the whole story, but Martha's Vineyard boys coach Bob Hammond told The Times that Nauset's goalkeeper, Brett Conrad, was the best high school goalie he has ever seen.
Why ADs get ulcers
Tuesday was replete with a full plate of athletic treats. The girls soccer team and field hockey team would play at Falmouth. The boys soccer team would host Falmouth. Golfers would tee off at Sandwich and both the boys and the girls cross-country teams would race at Mashpee.
Weather permitting, of course.
But it didn't. All went by the board and all those arrangements made by Athletic Director Mike Joyce went with them - with the exception of the golf team. They kept their appointment with unbeaten Sandwich at the par 36 Sandwich Hollows course. Sandwich won the match, 257 to 263.
Luke Pisano, a senior, and Serel Garvin, a junior, led the Vineyard effort with rounds of 40 and 41. Sandwich improved to 4-0. The Vineyard's record is 1-2-1 (1 win, 2 loss, 1 tie.)
