Figawi Race Weekend Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Our arm shaped spit of sand has a long nautical history of sailing.  It was not too long ago when Cape Codders relied solely upon the sail or the oar when embarking on sea voyages. 

Power driven vessels may have forever changed the Cape’s waterways, yet many sailors still prefer to use the wind.  For those who have sailing in their souls, the Figawi Race, held Memorial Day weekend, may serve as their official start to summer. 

Figawi is the New England sailing season’s first official race, and needless to say, anticipation of race weekend has helped many competitors survive the past winter.

“Boats come from far and wide to participate,” said John Mello, Commodore of the Mattapoisett Yacht Club. “It’s kind of a spring break for the 30-50 year old crowd."

Over recent years, Figawi has become known as one of the top social events of the racing season.  Some may argue that the social scene far outweighs the actual race.

Yet according to Mello, “nobody turns their nose up at a Figawi trophy on their mantle.”

This weekend will mark Figawi’s 40th anniversary.  Thousands of sailors and spectators are expected to descend upon Hyannis and Nantucket to take part in race weekend, which is regarded by many as the east coast’s top sailing event.

Yet like many successful ventures, Figawi had humble beginnings.  Race weekend began in 1972 when four sailors decided to embark on a fun, yet still competitive race from Hyannis to Nantucket. 

The race quickly grew in popularity, and six years later in 1978, Figawi instituted an official race committee.  Names like Koch and Kennedy appeared on the entrant list as the race’s popularity quickly spread throughout the New England region.

The late Massachusetts senator, Ted Kennedy, was often seen partaking in the dash across Nantucket Sound. 

Yet the biggest celebrity at this year’s Figawi Race Weekend will undoubtedly be Howard Penn. Seventy-nine-year-old Penn is one of the original founders of Figawi, and has been involved with the race for the past four decades. 

Regarded by many as the “face of Figawi,” Penn is a beloved community leader, and a second generation owner of Puritan Clothing on Main Street, Hyannis.

Penn goes by the nickname “Howie Figawi” and will be recognized this weekend as a Figawi Honorary Chairman.

"Of all the Cape Cod icons that have made Figawi what it is today, none is more recognizable than Howie Figawi,” said Figawi Chairman Chris Standish.

Competing boats will begin the race just off the Hyannis breakwater.  Figawi 2011 will once again utilize the performance handicap racing fleet system.

In other words, the slower boats cross the starting line first, followed by the faster vessels.  In racing lingo it is known as a “chase” race with the majority of the boats finishing around the same time. 

The first vessels to cross the starting line this year will do so at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

Upon leaving the breakwater at Hyannis Harbor, competing sailors are usually greeted by the predominant southwest wind; however this is not always the case.

Since the race has a set finish at Nantucket, there is the possibility that the wind could come from a less than desirable direction.  A southeast wind, for example, could make things very challenging for sailors this weekend.

A stiff breeze could kick waves up to 5 feet or more, which could make sailing quite dicey for the fleet’s smaller vessels.  Figawi sailboats typically range from 24 to 70 feet.

Last year’s quickest boats reached Nantucket in just over two hours. 

The party scene gets underway once the boats begin arriving at the island.  Amateur comedians, top-notch cocktails, and some of the Cape’s finest cuisine will be featured at this year’s Race Weekend.

 “It’s the event that everyone talks about for the whole winter,” explained Mello.  “Of course it is also a huge party.”

Yet aside from the race and the social component, Figawi 2011 is also expected to raise around $200,000 for local charities.

“Figawi is a mechanism that allows local people to take care of their community,” explained Standish.  “We try to have an impact on people who may not have the largest voice.”

Race Weekend will begin with registration and a cocktail party Friday, May 28th at the Hyannis Yacht Club.  The race itself with start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning followed by the 6 p.m. Figawi Tent Party on Nantucket.

Sunday will play host to the Figawi High School Invitational.  More than 15 two-man high school teams are expected to compete for this year’s Figawi Invitational trophy.  A clambake, awards presentation, and another tent party are scheduled to follow. 

The return race from Nantucket will commence at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning, followed by another awards presentation at the Hyannis Youth Community Center.

Figawi has grown exponentially over the past 40 years and according to those involved with organizing the event, it should only continue to improve and raise money for local charities in the years to come.

“We are going to continue trying to grow each year,” said Standish.  “We want to say on top of the times.”