With COVID19 putting a hurt on the normal sailing season, the Marblehead Viper Fleet has been starting to return to a sense of normalcy.  Since mid-June, the 6 (out of 10) local boats who felt safe to do so, have been out sailing with the Marblehead Racing Association.  The fleet has had some great days on the water, with highly competitive racing.  The teams on the water have been far more stable than in past years, with people wanting to maintain their ‘COVID bubbles’, a bit more shorthanded racing, and less recognizable than normal faces hiding behind masks; however, the sailing has been familiar:  very close racing, fast and fun boats, and good socially-distanced camaraderie surrounding the Saturday’s racing…  The local fleet is keeping things local this year through the end of September–keeping skills sharp for the next time we have a chance to see the wider Viper family at the next big regatta (what a party that will be!)…

Cole Constantineau reporting

Photos courtesy of Phil Smith (http://philipsmith-photography.smugmug.com/)