I n August the reeds just beyond the open door to the Mugwump shed sway and hiss in a warm breeze off the lagoon. Inside the building, the shape of the hull that the skeletal framing only hinted at a month before begins to reveal itself, plank by plank, as the crew sheathes it from keel to deck.

“I love putting on the first two or three planks,” says Ross, who comes to Mugwump with business for Nat. “There’s nothing more rewarding than watching the shapes develop as you’re twisting and bending them on there.”

The America’s Cup is named after the schooner America, the first winner of the sailing regatta match around the Isle of Wight in England in 1851. The cup is the oldest active trophy in international sport, 45 years older than the modern Olympics. Both contests took place last month, and while many flocked to Vancouver for the winter games, I headed to Valencia, Spain for the sailing. It was a tough call, as I had taken pictures at the half-pipe in Salt Lake in 2002, which was thrilling, but I had to witness this special America’s Cup.

She jets around the world with Olympic medalists, is gunning for her own chance at a medal in 2012 and she’ll even put you in touch with her publicist. It’s heady stuff for a high-schooler, but Solvig Sayre of Vineyard Haven remains grounded, having to balance the grueling demands placed on an athletic and academic all-star. While many of her classmates bravely fend off acute bouts of senioritis, Ms. Sayre has been windsurfing her way to the top of the national ranks, all while staying on the honor roll.

On a recent weekend we got a chance to sail away for a few days, leave Martha’s Vineyard and its drama (an approaching Presidential visit and the August summer in full swing) behind.

Nantucket Sound is a wonderful place to get away. You’re never away from the sight of land. Sailing across the 650 square mile inland sea is like being in the ocean without the huge rollers that can be experienced only a few miles away.

A fast 90-foot sailboat broke the record in the annual Round the Island race held on Saturday, the conclusion of the Edgartown Yacht Club Regatta. Rambler, owned and skippered by George David, completed the race in five hours, 18 minutes and 47 seconds. She is one of the fastest sailboats in the region. Last month she nearly broke the record in Annapolis, Md. to Newport, R.I. race, in the end winning line honors.

As many as 90 sailboats are expected to race this weekend in the fourth annual Vineyard Cup. Last night Vineyard Haven harbor was full of visiting boats for the three days of racing.

This is the biggest summer event for Sail Martha’s Vineyard and the number of boats scheduled is up from last year. The style of boats participating is as varied as the sailors who sail them. Vineyard Haven outer harbor is now full of masts, booms and rigging. And the shore of Owen Park will be the staging area for many sailors.