First leg of Figawi race begins without Kennedy

"He wasn't part of first leg and hasn't made a decision yet on whether he'll participate [tomorrow] for the reverse Figawi," said Keith Maley, a spokesman for Kennedy.

Kennedy did take the family boat, the Mya, out on the water yesterday, at about the same time that race participants were sailing toward the finish line in Nantucket. Kennedy was at the helm of the vessel, while his family relaxed aboard, Maley said.

Last year Kennedy also missed the first leg of the Figawi after being diagnosed the week prior with a malignant brain tumor, but he sailed the Mya in the final leg of the race and came in second in his division.

Rumors circulated that Kennedy was participating in yesterday's 38th Figawi, and some crews even discussed sightings of the Mya, but they all proved to be unfounded.

"We thought we saw his boat," said Bob LeBlanc, of East Bridgewater, sitting with crewmates on the deck of their ship, cold drinks in hand. "The Kennedy family, they're big into sailing, it's a family-oriented hobby. I'm disappointed he wasn't in it."

The absence of Kennedy, whose participation has brought significant recognition to the event, was disappointing to some entrants, but most people said it didn't dampen the race or the post-race festivities.

The race started at 10 a.m., and by 11:41, all of the approximately 195 boats had passed the starting line. The air was cold and skies overcast, but by mid-race, it cleared and temperatures had risen to the mid-60s. The boats, which were stretched out during the 19-nautical-mile race, gathered in a tight bunch at the finish by mid-afternoon. The second half of the race, the return to Hyannis, will get underway tomorrow morning.

Nantucket was packed with tourists yesterday, many of whom arrived by way of the race. And there were people like John Serino, 72, who lives on the island during the summer.

"I hate sailboats, I'm a powerboat guy," he said, walking along a wooden pier at the island's port. He put his perspective on Kennedy's absence, saying, "This race isn't about the Kennedys, it's about Figawi, about a bunch of guys who a long time ago went out on Memorial Day weekend and got lost."

Before any of the boats headed out for the race yesterday, the participants were greeted with a hot breakfast at the Hyannis Yacht Club. Under a tent, they discussed strategy while eating eggs, sausage, and potatoes.

After breakfast, novice boater Larry Post, 55, of Boston acknowledged that he had no chance of winning or even being competitive aboard his 44-foot sailboat. He said he was basically along for the ride.

Post said 30 years ago he used to fly Coast Guard airplanes over the port, and note all the sailboats in the race. He recently started thinking that it would be a great idea to participate.

"This is a great event and I wanted to bring my son out and enjoy some time together," he said.