In anticipation of an exciting 2016 season, the Holmes Hole Sailing Association opens with a potluck dinner on Saturday, June 18, at the home of Pam and Mo Flam. Sailing jargon, strategies, and news will be passed around along with the dinner dishes. On June 19, there will be a tune-up race into Vineyard Sound, beginning at noon. Several new boats will be making a first appearance.
The Holmes Hole season is divided into a July series and an August series, and awards for these, as well as for overall performance, are presented in September. The association is made up of all sorts of boats whose race results are handicapped, resulting in close competition. There are two divisions based on size and speed. Each division competes in each race for the highly coveted HHSA coffee mug, as well as points toward standing.
All sailors are encouraged to participate in the Thursday evening and Sunday races, either as guests or members. The Thursday evening races, the first of which is on June 23, begin at 6 pm, follow a triangular course around the harbor, and usually take about an hour. After the Thursday races, the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club generously opens its kitchen for a pay-as-you-go supper on the porch where the results are read. On Sunday, there are either two harbor races at 10 am and 2 pm, each generally twice as long as the Thursday race, or one long race in the Sound that begins at noon.
Sailors can visit holmeshole.org to learn more details and how to join.
