July Saturday Series S & H Class (7-1-17)

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