Race Week

Splitting Tacks in Marblehead

By: Charles Giuliano - Jan 04, 2015

Race Week

Highlight of the summer
Marblehead Race Week
Tow from Annisquam
Raucous fun
Finding a space to anchor
Harbor clustered with yachts
Every kind of craft
Gathered to compete
Waiting for the launch
Hanging on the porch
Corinthian Yacht Club
Busy starting line
Hanging back
Waiting for your class
Split second timing
Not jumping the gun
Strategies for best position
That day blustery gusts
White caps
Many capsized
Towed home
Strong winds
Leveled playing field
Best skippers prevailed
Over faster boats
Bobby and me racing home
Splitting tacks
Inching ahead
Lining up final move
Calculated to catch the line
Precisely
Nicking the buoy
On starboard with right of way
He crashing for Ricky and me on port
Yelling Starboard, Starboard
Kept coming hard
Furious look
Hating to get beaten
Avoiding collision
Came about
He tacked and got the cannon
Back on land
Launched protest
No need
They saw it all
Appalled
Still have the trophy
Dark victory