Tall ship schooner Lynx a perfect backdrop to Figawi Race: Photo Shoot

Robert Gilka, longtime National Geographic magazine photo editor, once said, “An assignment is as much of an experience as it is an opportunity to create photographs...”  I couldn’t agree more. As the longtime Saturday shift photographer, I have had some great experiences, and there is nothing better than getting paid to go out on a boat.

When the annual Figawi Race rolls around every Memorial Day Saturday, I am on the dock early read to go, no matter the weather. Once in a great while the weather wins, no wind and too much fog.

But Mother Nature pulled out all the stops this year. The holiday weekend weather forecast looked benign, clouds and sun with winds 10-15 mph. Flat seas with battleship gray skies don’t offer up much lighting drama for sailing action photos. Following the sailboat flotilla out past the Kalmus Beach breakwater, dark clouds filled the western horizon. To the east the sun was breaking out, a spotlight from the heavens.

By the time our press chase boat made it to the starting line, off Hyannisport, the western clouds remained, from the east, in and out sun. This was high drama lighting at its finest. The winds were steady at about 12 knots from the south.

When taking sailing action images, positioning is everything, a steady scrum of sailboats circling the starting line, race official boats and spectator boats, all trying to stay out of each other’s way. I’ve been lucky to be assigned to Paul Marshall’s twin engine 32-foot boat for many years now. He keeps us on the action and the cameras, and photographer dry, and has the skill to put the boat in the perfect spot.

This year’s coverage came with a bonus. The 122-foot-long tall ship schooner Lynx was setting sail off Hyannisport and heading out onto Nantucket Sound as the Figawi started. It wasn’t in the race but provided a great backdrop for the racing boats. 

Just as we circled the ship, the sun slipped out from the clouds and provided amazing light as her sails filled. The sky glowing like a Fitz Henry Lane painting from the mid-1800’s.

This was not just another sports assignment, but an experience not soon to be forgotten, with the photos to prove it.