The Vineyard Cup Keeps Sailing Tradition Alive Amongst Martha’s Vineyard Youth
by Morgan Cowper
Summer is marked by the longer days and warmer weather, but for many on the Vineyard, summer only truly starts once the harbors are occupied with visiting sailboats. The weekend of July 10th to the 12th will mark the 9th annual Vineyard Cup Regatta. A three-day sailing race put on by Sail Martha’s Vineyard, an organization dedicated to bringing the maritime tradition and spirit to the youth of Martha’s Vineyard.
The tradition of sailing has long been a rich part of Martha’s Vineyard history. From the days when whaling brought abundant wealth to the Vineyard to present day sailing events, the History of the Vineyard is colored with maritime tradition and a healthy love for the sea. Sail Martha’s Vineyard’s main mission is to bring that love for the ocean and sailing to the youth of the Vineyard. They accomplish this through afterschool programs and other affordable Sailing lessons. To help keep these programs alive, Sail Martha’s Vineyard created the Vineyard Cup Regatta in 2006.
“ The Vineyard Cup is, pure and simple, a fundraiser for Sail Martha’s Vineyard. It was started with a view to [be] repositioning some of our fundraising efforts away from the Island, so that we were not relying solely on Island merchants and companies who have been extraordinarily generous to us over the years,” said Brock Callen, the main event organizer of the Vineyard Cup Regatta.
To kick off the celebration of the 2015 Vineyard Cup there will be a seafood buffet and auction on thursday July 9th. The event will take place at the Tisbury Wharf in Vineyard Haven. Cocktails, live music, and the ability to view classic wooden sailboats are just few highlights of the evening. There will be both a silent and live auction during the night. Some of the prizes include a weekend getaway to Boston, a photography trip to South Africa, and an evening sailing along beautiful Martha’s Vineyard. Complimentary cocktails start at 5pm on Thursday, July 9th. Tickets are still available online at SailMV.org.
Boats ranging from 22 feet to 80 feet will be the main focus of the Vineyard Cup Regatta as well as an event based around fun and affordability. This year, kiteboarding will also be included in the Vineyard Cup. Sail Martha’s Vineyard’s idea is that integrating this rapidly growing sport will help increase the number of participants as well as to help incorporate other water sports such as moth and catamaran classes. This year the kiteboarders will be in Cow Bay between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, providing a stadium like setting for beach bound spectators.
Spectators not only can view the racing from various vantage points along the shore, but can also become part of the post-race scene at the Race Village on Tisbury Wharf in Vineyard Haven. At 4p.m each day, there will be incredible locally sourced food and drink, great music, sponsor pop-up stores and a chance to hangout with the competitors. For those interested in being more than just spectators, there are still crew boards available online at the vineyardcup.com.
Maritime tradition and an ever-present love for the open water are what drives the talented people at Sail Martha’s Vineyard to put on the Regatta. It is an opportunity to pass down tradition to the youth of Martha’s Vineyard through a community fundraiser. The Vineyard Cup Regatta takes place this weekend from July 10th to the 12th. Photo courtesy of SailMV.
