JULY SERIES BEGINS!
By TED BURT
On a Saturday afternoon following several days of windy conditions, some Quissett Yacht Club racers expressed apprehension over the forecast of gusty southerlies exceeding 25 knots. As it turned out, the wind was variable in strength and direction but not so much so to discourage the six crews that showed up to enjoy a great racing day. In deference to the forecast, the Race Committee, consisting of Ted Burt, Wendy Martyna, Sarah Meigs, Michael Garfield Sr., Noah Garfield, and Alden Burt, moved the racing area to the lee of Penzance Point and the Woods Hole bathing beach, ameliorating the choppy conditions out in the bay and giving the racers the challenge of constantly shifting winds and gusts.
In the first of two races held, a Gold Cup (triangle – windward – leeward) course, Tom First jumped off to an early lead and won wire-to-wire. The fleet was very competitive throughout, with the last boat crossing the finish line less than a minute and a half behind the winner.
The second race featured an additional windward leg along with a substantial wind shift which required the Race Committee to move the starting line. The start featured a classic port tack crossing of the fleet by Phoenix, skippered by Mike Garfield. Phoenix went on to lead the rest of the way, nosing out Ted Grayson in Swizzle by a mere 11 seconds. Thirteen-year-old Ethan Burt, sailing his first H-12 Saturday Series race, worked his way up the learning curve and finished in fifth place ahead of Alec Clowes in Due Diligence.
The S boats were still being sanded, painted, and varnished at the time this race was held.
Race #1
1. | Olivia | Tom & Kristan First | 25:12 |
2. | Phoenix | Mike & Emma Garfield | 25:33 |
3. | Swizzle | Ted Grayson & Peter Jones | 25:59 |
4. | Due Diligence | Alec Clowes & Jolynn Khamky | 26:11 |
5. | Allie Rose | Chuck First & Betsy Zimmerli | 26:18 |
6. | Tag Along | Ethan Burt, Sean Tyna, Jon Burt | 26:32 |
Race #2
1. | Phoenix | Mike & Emma Garfield om & Kristan First | 37:45 |
2. | Swizzle | Ted Grayson & Peter Jones | 37:56 |
3. | Olivia | Tom and Kristan First | 38:26 |
4. | Allie Rose | Chuck and Judy First | 39:05 |
5. | Tag Along | Ethan Burt, Sean Tyna, Jon Burt | 39:19 |
6. | Due Diligence | Alec Clowes & Jolynn Khamky | 39:21 |

Phoenix (183) and Olivia (520) race to the finish during Quissett Yacht Club's H Class July series races held July 1st. Phoenix took second race and Olivia took first. Photo Credits: Sarah P. Meigs