J/crews enjoy awesome Figawi Race

Figawi Race © Figawi Charities Inc

"The Figawi" arose originally to celebrate community and local charity over thirty-three years ago. The event started last Saturday for the Annual Figawi Charity Ball at the Resort & Conference Center in Hyannis, MA.

The sailing regatta is held every Memorial Day Weekend. The schedule begins on Friday in Hyannis with the Kickoff Summer Party. Then, on Saturday morning, sans hangover (hopefully), the PHRF pursuit-style races start off Hyannis at 10:00 am and sends the fleet off on an 18.0nm race to Nantucket usually arriving late afternoon. Sunday is a lay day to enjoy the various events in the Figawi tents, walking the docks of Nantucket Boat Basin to take in all the activity, joining the spectators at the parade honoring fallen soldiers, and the infamous party in the big tent to close out Sunday night. Then, for the most intrepid sailors that have survived the bacchanalian festival ashore and can still see straight, there is a short, fun race back from Nantucket to Hyannis.

This year was not a "big boat" race. In fact, the big boats were at a big disadvantage in the weather conditions as the small boats took off in a good breeze early in the morning and it was pretty self-evident by the time the big boats started in the pursuit-style racing format that it wasn't going to be their year. Nevertheless, Robert Littleton's J/121 SHE'S NO LADY took the silver in PHRF A Division, with Chris Lund's J/133 JUMP finishing fourth.

In PHRF B Division, Connor Haugh's J/109 finished fourth place. Then, in PHRF C Division, Scott Bender's J/105 MAJI MOOTO won, followed by stablemate Andrew Meincke's J/97 ADRENALINE in second place. Finishing fourth was Garrett Wafler & Marissa de Souter's J/30 SPECIAL SAUCE.

There was an interesting story in PHRF F Division. Taking his annual "summer break" from working as J/Boats China partner, Jimmie Johnstone decided to head over to Hyannis on Friday afternoon to hopefully find a "ride" to race to Nantucket. Fortunately, he met Gary Blank and friends at the Friday night party and he ended up joining them to race their J/30 MOJO on Saturday! It was fate they met and all had a great time, winning their division! Their other J/30 friends, Ryan Scudder's HEAT'ER UP faired well, taking sixth over the line.

More Figawi Race sailing information here...