Figawi in the News
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From Nor’easters to Nantucket: A Weekend to Remember
A Stormy Start
The 2025 Figawi unofficially began early in the week as sailors tracked a rare May Nor’easter. Delivery plans had to be shuffled, and the typically empty mooring field in Hyannis was alive with tension and anticipation by Thursday night—with gusts recorded up to 64kts. Fortunately, the system moved out quickly, and by Friday, Hyannis Harbor opened just long enough for boats to fill in.
By late afternoon, the Hyannis Yacht Club was buzzing with crews. As always, the HYC team were top-tier hosts for the welcome party. A special thank-you is owed to their staff for making it happen, storm or not.
Last-Minute Prep on the Docks
As Figawi marks the first major event of the season in New England, many skippers were still piecing boats together. One sailor was spotted up the mast of Stag installing an anemometer—whether storm damage or late assembly, we’ll never know.
Slide Rule, one of the more dialed-in boats in the fleet (no offense), launched just days prior after a sail drive replacement. Skipper Scott, known for tinkering for weeks ahead of Figawi, cut it close this year. And Ruse, usually local, was the last boat to dock at HYC after waiting out the storm post-haulout in Connecticut. For all involved, the hustle was worth it.
Race Day Conditions
Conditions were favorable on Saturday morning: 10–14 knots out of the WSW as a parade of boats flew American flags en route to the starting line. Over the VHF, Tom Duggan calmly announced courses—divisions 1–3 would sail Course 4, while the rest took Course 3.
108 Boats to Nantucket
At the start, 108 boats crossed the line heading to Nantucket. The opening leg was a near upwind fetch to Bell 5. Surprisingly, for the first time in recent memory, the current was pushing boats away from the infamous Bell 5 vortex. Breeze built to the high teens near the mark, and positioning was tight.
After the rounding, the fleet split. Divisions 4+ sailed a tight reach to Mark 17, while 1–3 set up a broader reach to 15. With wind angles tightening and pressure building, many crews reached for A3s and A5s. But, as always, Nantucket Sound had other plans. The wind softened, dropping to 10–12 knots just as the lead pack approached 15.
The J/97 Adrenaline was holding the front until the breeze shifted left and filled in with 10 extra knots. After a clean kite peel from A3 to A2, Skipper Drew tried to keep the hull under the rig, but the J/105s rolled through in classic 1-2-3 fashion. From there, it was a solid 20–24kt fetch to the finish—fast boats surged, but the 105s owned the day.
Reaching to 17
Over on Course 3, Expedient led the charge under its unmistakable orange spinnaker. Known as one of Figawi’s most decorated boats, it looked locked in. But even this fleet wasn’t immune to wind shifts. The breeze built toward Mark 17, and the final reach to the finish saw boats accelerating fast. Zenda, with 18,000 pounds under her, reportedly hit 10.6 kts on the leg in.
Respect and Celebration
Crews honored the request to drop sails before entering the channel—a professional end to a competitive race.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebrate the holiday season with us and get inspired by Ethan Allen’s newly reimagined design center! Enjoy sips and hors d’oeuvres compliments of The Loft Restaurant, Cape Cod Beer, and Luke’s Liquors.
Tony Bailey will perform music, and amazing raffle prizes will benefit Figawi Charities Inc. and Heroes in Transition!
We will spread joy this holiday season by accepting donations of Gas and Grocery gift cards to distribute to those families in need. See you there!
Ethan Allen’s Grand Reopening
December 7th, 2023 | 5 - 8 pm
Rt 132/ 970 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA