Thursday, October 15, 2015

Epic J/24 Changing of the Colors Regatta

J/24 Women's Sea Bags Sailing Team (Lake George, New York)- This past weekend’s 37th Annual Changing of the Colors Regatta was simply extraordinary.   Sponsored by Fleet 24 on beautiful Lake George, NY and hosted by the Lake George Club, the thirty-seven teams that made their annual pilgrammage to what many consider to be one of America’s most beautiful lakes were not disappointed. Building on their successful three day format, they provided ab evening of free beer and food on Friday night in addition to the famous Thursday night “Grotto Welcome Party”.  So, that's beer and food both Thursday & Friday evenings as well as free after racing beer all three days!!

Lake George Club- host of J/24 Changing of Colors regattaThursday when all were arriving, the winds were blowing out of the North at 30+ kts and continued to increase on Friday and then up to 40+ on Saturday morning! Unfortunately, racing was postponed on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, though the awesome PRO and Race Committee monitored the weather situation hourly, and by noon on Saturday the winds died down to a blustery 20+. The warning signal was sounded, and they got in three races that left everyone wet, cold, bruised, exhausted and ready to hit solid ground.

Sunday brought some additionally challenging weather with light shifting winds, a complete 180 degrees from just 12 hours earlier. The Lake George Race Committee again did a spectacular job to get off another three races, and they ended up with six total races for the three days.

Sunset on Lake George, New YorkThere was some great racing and some new boats this year from Canada, Virginia, Maine and Long Island, NY (who won “Best Visiting Fleet”) to name a few. Two all women’s boats and two other boats with ladies at the helm kicked some serious butt out on the water. Congratulations to Kira Munger (Best Female Skipper); Jessica Harris & Erica Beck Spencer of the SEA BAGS WOMEN’S SAILING TEAM (Best All Female Boat); Rachelle Cambria skippering #SWAG  and Lee Ann Zaretsky steering SEA MINX!

Mike Ingham’s NAUTALYTICS bested 37-boat fleet. Fleet 24 thanks all who hauled their boats and crews long distances. Hope you will return again next year to beautiful Lake George, NY!  For more J/24 Changing of the Colors Regatta sailing information