THE 41ST ANNUAL FIGAWI RACE WEEKEND

The Figawi Race over Memorial Day weekend is a top sailing event on the east coast that kicks off the Cape Cod and Nantucket summer season.  Over 240 boats race from Hyannis Yacht Club, a former stomping ground for the Kennedy family, to Nantucket Harbor on late Saturday morning.

Nantucket, MA, May 25--- The weekend began with a kickoff party on Friday night at the Hyannis Yacht Club. After a long night of partying, we headed back to our slip and got a few hours of shut-eye on the boat. Saturday morning came quick, as our seven-person crew diligently prepared to race the beautiful “Calussa,” a 38-ft Sabre, to Nantucket harbor. Late Saturday morning, we received a starting time of 11:24 a.m. in class D.

Five tiring hours and a bit sea-weary later, we finished 3^rd in our class of 8 yachts when we arrived at Nantucket Harbor around 4:45 p.m. The day was a picture perfect one for sailing, with winds gusting at 30 mph, blue skies and a beaming sun. But now, the real fun was to start.

After we’d freshened up at the pristine Surfside beach estate we were staying for the weekend, we headed back into town for the Figawi Tent party. At the tent party, racers recounted the day’s events while dancing to a live band and, of course, loading up on endless free drinks supplied by a main sponsor, Mount Gay Rum!

A “Trade Secret” Note: Only the official sailors that participate in the race receive a coveted red “Figawi Hat” containing the yellow Mount Gay emblem on the front, as well as the year of the race. Throughout the weekend, if you don’t hold on to your hat… it will get snagged right off your head by an envious tag-along weekender, or a local island derelict!

Sunday was an early and painful rise for most of us in the house, so we decided to quickly remedy ourselves by shucking up some fresh Island Creek Oysters and mixing up some Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s! We all piled in the jeep and headed out to what is-- in my opinion-- one of the most beautiful strips of beaches on the east coast, Nobadeer beach. It was the ideal day for a beach party—we socialized amongst old friends, competed in (friendly) drinking games and engaged in some swimming shenanigans.

Sunday night, we headed over to Lola 41, a new sushi-inspired hot spot in town that serves up craft cocktails and boasts a sophisticated crowd. After devouring up some refreshing seared tuna, a cooked-to-perfection rib eye, and slurping down a few Sex on the Beaches, we were ready to head out bar-hopping on the town. From the Muse to the Straight Wharf, to the Lobster Trap and the Rose and Crown… it was a liquored- up, prepped-out, downright rowdy crowd.

 

Local Dish to Try: LOLA 41’s GRILLED 10 OZ RIB EYE, ROASTED PEARL ONIONS, EDAMAMBE PUREE, LOCAL MUSHROOMS.

Outerwear for a Chilly Nantucket Night in Town: 360’s Kyle “LIFE IS A BEACH SWEATER” knit sweater.  Buy at: http://shopplanetblue.com/360-sweater-kylie-sweater

Monday, we were forced to face a reluctant reality as the Figawi festivities came to a close. As we arrived in town to depart the island, the fog from the harbor, mixed with the haze of three days of partying amongst a sea of seer-sucker-wearing New Englander’s, suddenly made us feel anxious to get back on the mainland. As Nantucket faded off into the distance behind us, we couldn’t help but think... “Until next year… Cheers, mate!”

Before You Go: Be sure to visit Cisco Brewery, Nantucket’s Island Brewery. About a 15-minute bike ride from town will get you to the grounds of Cisco Brewers -- which contain a vineyard, distillery and brewery-- where you can tour a small cottage dedicated to each type of drink and get a detailed account of the creation process. At the end of the tour, stay to sample some of the latest concoctions from friendly bartenders who know their stuff.