Thirteen boats approached the line on Thursday evening in the regular week night edition of the HH harbor races. Facing a lowering fog and fading light, the fleet raced out to West Chop downwind, turned toward East Chop on a broad reach and beat back home.
![Fog.jog](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2F6a00e54f072fc388340120a564ef74970c-800wi.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The darkening sky silouetted the fleet as boats jockeyed at the start.
A pair of Morris 36s head downwind.
Avanti had its best showing of the summer, finishing 9th as part of a cluster of boats that crossed the finish line at red nun 6 all within 30 seconds of each other.
![AVANTI HH 8-20-09](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2F6a00e54f072fc388340120a564efe2970c-800wi.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Avanti, whisker pole extended, as it headed toward the first mark.
As the final gun sounded, the fog and setting sun combined to throw a swirl of purples, gold and yellow across the western sky and draw a dramatic finish to the evening.
All photos by Frank Brunelle.