It was a bright, late summer day as the fleet sailed north from Vineyard Haven on an 18.7-mile course that would take the boats across the sound then off to the east to Wreck Shoal where they would continue on southward and westward legs that would test each skipper’s ability to cope with differing winds and tides. - See more at: http://mvgazette.com/news/2013/09/12/fast-and-flawless-sail-wins-moffet-race#sthash.heOGm8du.dpuf

Fishermen participating in the 68th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby are already out plotting a strategy for success. Nearly all of them will visit one or all of four popular fishing spots: Menemsha Jetty, Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Memorial Wharf and Metcalf’s Hole.

The third year was the charm for the Vineyard Warrior Triathlon, organizer and founder Matthew Brackman reported Monday afternoon. The annual event takes place the second week of September, and drew 160 competitors this year.

Mr. Brackman, himself a triathlete, told the Gazette he was first inspired to start the Vineyard Warrior, the first event of its kind on-Island since 1994.

Cross country runners representing 460 in all, competed in the seventh Annual Martha’s Vineyard Invitational Saturday at the regional high school. Bishop Feehan ran away with team wins in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions. The Vineyard as a team was seventh in 11.

Playing before a large home crowd at the Daniel McCarthy Field, the Vineyarders took a 21-0 loss to visiting Bedford on Saturday afternoon.

Vineyard local restaurants began serving locally harvested blue mussels in July and the prospects for the future look even better. Alec Gale of the Menemsha Fish House said he was pleased with the results. The last of the locally harvested blue mussels were shipped this week but there may be more.