Thursday, October 13, 2011

J/109 North American Championship Preview

J/109 one-design cruising racing sailboat- sailing around mark (Annapolis, MD)-  Following on their extraordinarily competitive meeting this summer sailing the "East Coasts" during Rolex Block Island Race Week, the J/109 class continues on a roll.  Fifteen entries are ready to do battle for their J/109 North American Championship being hosted by the Annapolis YC in Annapolis, MD.  Like their J/105 counterparts, it's often hard to portend "who's on first" and "who's going to be on first" at the end of the ninth round in this heavyweight fight.

Continuing their tradition of good natured competition are class super-heavyweights, Rick Lyall on STORM, Bill Sweetser on RUSH and Ted Herlihy's GUT FELLING, each with one or more J/109 North American Championship or Rolex Block Island Championship rings on their trophy shelves.  Can't say anyone in Las Vegas would take odds on any of these high-powered crews sailing very well-sailed boats, might have to call it a "dead heat" as to who rules the roost after a long weekend of sailing.  While these "Monsters of the Midway" keep a wary eye on each other, it's certain that other teams have a good shot at the top, including Adrian Begley's MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN, Don and Cristina Filippelli's CAMINOS, Paul Milo's VENTO SOLARE and Dave Rosow's LOKI.

To keep tabs on this group, please be sure to follow your favorite sailing teams from the Chesapeake Bay, Buzzards Bay or Long Island Sound.  Sailing Photo credit- Howie McMichael