The Vineyard Cup Returns to the Island this Weekend

The Vineyard Haven harbor will be packed with more than 100 different boats of all shapes and sizes, from schooners to modern design racers starting today, July 13th and continuing through the weekend for the Vineyard Cup.

The course for the annual event, which is sponsored by , is designed not only test the skills of the crew, but to provide great viewing for spectators from a variety of Island landmarks. See below for a guide of locations to view the action.

A day of racing would not be complete without an after-party and the Vineyard Cup is known for throwing some seriously fun parties. In 2012 the featured band is Entrain.  There will be harbor-side parties each day under the Vineyard Cup tent on the Beach Road Extension by the .

Purchase a bracelet for $30 a night or $75 for the whole weekend, and eat and drink as much as you would like. 

Proceeds help support Sail MV that provides many programs to year-round and seasonal residents, such as the High School Sailing team.

Vineyard Cup Schedule of Events

Friday, July 13th

11 am

Competitors’ meeting at Sail MV headquarters

12 pm

Harbor start

1 pm

First gun

4:30 pm

Opening party

Saturday, July 14th

7 am

Breakfast at the Black Dog Tavern

9 am

Harbor start

10 am

Catboat and Small Wooden Boat First gun

10 am

Classics parade of sail

11 am

Classics first gun

12:30 pm

Catboat first gun

1 pm

Menemsha Pond Fleet first gun

2:30 pm

7 pm

Post-racing and daily awards party

Free Entrain Concert

Sunday, July 15th

10 am

All divisions harbor start

10:30 am

First gun for pursuit race

1 pm

Menemsha Pond Fleet first gun

4:30 pm

Vineyard Cup awards party

Guide of locations to view the action Friday, Saturday and Sunday

• Eastville Breakwater and Beach for the starts and finishes
  • Friday beginning around 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm
  • Saturday beginning around 9:30 am and 2:30 pm
  • Sunday beginning around 10 am and 2 pm
•  East Chop Lighthouse as they move out onto the course
  • Friday beginning around 1:15 pm and 3:15 pm
  • Saturday beginning around 10:15 am and 2:15 pm
  • Sunday beginning around 10:30 am and 1:45 pm
•  Lake Tashmoo Town Beach
  • Saturday beginning around 11 am and 2:15 pm
• State Beach (depending on the course sailed)
  • Friday beginning around 2 pm
  • Saturday beginning around 11 am
  • Sunday beginning around 11:30 am

Where to watch the Parade of Sail on Saturday

• The Black Dog Tavern Beach
• Tisbury Wharf
• Eastville Breakwater
• Eastville Beach

For more information visit, www.vineyardcup.com or www.yachtscoring.com.