FIGAWI Race

The 43rd Annual Figawi Race did not disappoint the 206 boats and 3,000+ sailors making the annual pilgrimage from Hyannis to Nantucket Harbor nearly 25.0nm away. According to Brad Mascott on the J/105 Two If By Sea, “Big wind and big seas made for a fast sleigh ride to Nantucket for those brave enough to carry their chutes. Wind was 15-20 knots from NE, which made for a broad reach on port tack for the spinnaker fleet on Course #5 on their way to Tuckernut Shoal Bell #1. As the J/105s started, Dark ‘n’ Stormy had a great start, popped the chute and never looked back on their way for a 3-peat win in its division. Another J/105 to my starboard had trouble with another spinnaker boat as they both nearly broached with a t-bone, and then when the dust settled the J/105’s spinnaker exploded on the forestay! Other boats also blew spinnakers and halyards. We chose not to fly our spinnaker as we had our cruising crew onboard and still thoroughly enjoyed the fast and easy ride at 7-9 knots surfing down the waves! Our second leg was a slog upwind to #15 north of great point and thank God it was only approximately four miles long in some huge waves. The J/105 took it in stride. The J/122 Patriot trucked past us as they looked to be in fine fighting form. Both Patriot and the J/44 Spice popped their chutes one last time to the finish and both looked good on the nearly dead downwind final leg. Really hard to complain with sunny skies all day, strong breeze and temps in the 50s-60s leading into a raucous scene at the wharf. The BaHa Brothers band were in fine form in the tent as crews and friends told stories, danced and drank the night away.” The Division S2 Spinnaker saw Dark ‘n’ Stormy, sailed by Joyce & Wagner Reservitz, win followed by Jonathan Bloom’s J/105 Bear Spirit in third and Diana Brown’s J/105 Clio in fourth. The top four boats all finished within a two minute time span!