The 38th Annual Figawi Race In Cape Cod - Great Success On And Off The Water

by CHRISTINE COOLIDGE · May 29, 2009

    Town Docks Start to Slowly Fill InEagerly awaiting the onset of summer, sailors in 230 competing yachts descended upon Cape Cod last weekend to take part in the 38th Annual Figawi Race Weekend. A relatively prominent race, "The Figawi" attracted sailors from all around New England.  The beloved fun race featured a Friday night kickoff ball at Hyannis Yacht Club and a 19-nautical-mile race from Hyannis, MA to Nantucket, MA on Saturday.

    And, while he did not participate in the race, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy did take his 50-foot-schooner Mya out for an afternoon sail with his family on Saturday.

    The Figawi Race began under informal circumstances in 1972 when, according to Figawi legend, a few friends decided to race from Hyannis to Nantucket one day.  Over the years, more and more boats began to participate in the race until it began to be relatively formalized in 1978.  Participants range in age and skill, and boats vary from high tech speed racers to family cruising class boats.

    Town Docks Start to Slowly Fill In The Calm Before The Storm

    Chippewa Clay Deutsch's Chippewa Powers Up To The Start

    Hyannis Yacht Club Prepares to Fire the Starting Signal Hyannis Yacht Club Prepares to Start the Race

    The Crew Aboard Amerigo The Crew of Amerigo

    Approaching The Finish Line at Brant Point Approaching the Finish Line

    Kit Will's Esperanto as the Unofficial Figawi Party Barge

    Before the Finish Before the Finish

    After The Finish After the Finish

    Preppy Pirate Party Preppy Pirate Party

    Boats Raft Up to Town Pier Boats Raft Up To Nantucket's Town Pier

    Adolf Haffenreffer Swings From Esperanto's Masthead Halyard Adolf Haffenreffer Swings From Esperanto's Masthead

    Sunday Night Closing Ceremonies at The Chicken Box Closing Ceremonies at The Chicken Box Sunday Night