A conversation with Harald Findlay about the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend
by David Schmidt 18 Jun 2025 08:00 PDT
June 18, 2025
Racecourse action at the Edgartown Race Weekend © 2023 STEPHEN R CLOUTIER
When it comes to racing sailboats on the East Coast of the United States in the summer months, few places are as classic as the waters surrounding Martha's Vineyard's northwestern flank. If this sounds like the Edgartown Yacht Club's annual Edgartown Race Weekend (June 21-22), which traces its historical roots back to 1938 when the first "Round the Island" race was scored, you're on the right tack.
While early editions of the RTI race extended to include rounding Buzzard's Bay Tower, today's RTI stretches clockwise some 55 nautical miles around Martha's Vineyard itself. This includes negotiating open waters, cliffs, and headlands, and passing seven light houses that are situated at Cape Poge, Gay Head, Tarpaulin Cove, Nobska, West Chop, East Chop and Edgartown.
Provided that the weather gods deliver brochure-like conditions, competitors should be in the open Atlantic by around midday, and they should pass Gay Head's iconic cliffs and then sail up Vineyard Sound to the finishing line later that afternoon.
I checked in with Harald Findlay, event chair of the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend, to learn more about this New England classic.
Roughly how many boats do you think will be at this year's Edgartown Race Weekend? Also, how does this number stack up with recent editions?
I think we'll see 60 boats. A comfortable number slightly less than last year's 68.
Do you have any concentrations of one design classes entered? What about interesting custom builds or international entries?
Yeah, we have a strong following of J/Boats (J/130, J/105) and C&Cs. We are pleased to welcome Arabella, a 157' schooner, and Phantom, a beautiful Concordia yawl, for the first time this year.
Has Edgartown Race weekend always been open to multihulls, or is this a newer development? Also, do you guys have any interesting multihull entries his year?
We've been open to multi-hulls for three years now. Mid Town Racing is a perennial favorite.
What's the Round-the-Island Race like? Could you please describe the race for anyone who hasn't done it?
It's ocean-like racing but with local tides, currents and channels typical of coastal racing. Five lighthouses, beautiful beaches, and a quaint whaling town and harbor.
From a strategy and tactics perspective, what do you see as the Round-the-Island Race's most engaging sections?
Getting down Muskeget Channel with fair current and plotting your eastward strategy once around the west end of the Island. Decide to stay inshore or go out into Vineyard Sound looking for current.
Do you have any advice for anyone who plans to compete in the Round-the-Island Race and Edgartown Race weekend for the first time?
Relax. Get here a day early to enjoy the Island. Study the local tide charts and the Sailing Instructions.
What kinds of onshore activities are planned for the weekend?
We have a welcome party and buffet Friday night. [There's also a] reception for finishers on Saturday evening and awards ceremony Sunday morning.
Is there anything else about this year's Edgartown Race Weekend that you'd like to add, for the record?
Consider coming as a team with other sailboats from your local area. We look forward to your participation!