Holmes Hole Sailing Association kicks off season

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In this file photos, The Holmes Hole Sailing Association kicks off its season last Sunday with the Tune-Up race. — David Lott

The Holmes Hole Sailing Association officially kicked off its season last Saturday with its annual potluck supper at the home of Steve and Pam Besse in Vineyard Haven. Then it was on to the tune-up race the following day.

Eleven boats turned out at buoy No. 6 in Vineyard Haven Harbor to hear the first guns of the season, and to test out the new starting sequence in which the slower boats (Division B) would begin 10 minutes prior to the start of the go-fast horses in Division A.

All boats took to Course No. 5, which charged the assemblage to head out toward Falmouth and back in a strongly ebbing tide and east-northeasterly wind, which steadily increased in force over the afternoon.

Brian Roberts guided his Sparkman and Stephens Aileen to the victory with a winning time of 2:8:34. Tom and Laurie Welch grabbed second on the their J/100 Escape, followed by Irving Gates aboard King Kiwi, a Sabre 38 which was the first Division B competitor to cross the finish line.

Fourth was Tango, a J/100 skippered by Phil Hale, and fifth was Jim Dixon on the Alerion 28 At Last.

Next race is Sunday, June 21, a Sound race with a noon start. All are welcome to come out and compete. For more information, visit HolmesHole.org.