Thursday, July 14, 2016

J/109 North Americans Preview

J/109 sailboat (Newport, RI)- From July 12th to 16th, the New York YC will be hosting the J/109 North American Championship for a fleet of nineteen teams.  As one of the highest turnouts in recent years, the J/109 fleet is enjoying resurgence in class activity, a tribute to the boat’s versatility as a family cruiser-racer.  How can you argue with a massive stand-up shower and head and a full-blown navigation station to house all those toys of the trade- Microsoft Xbox and huge 24” LED HD screens for playing Minecraft, Game of Thrones and the regular nav-stuff.  Plus, there is a “play-pen” in the bow.  While most of the electronics is focused on “family activities”, it really is time to get down to serious business to determine who has the fastest 35 ft sailing playpen on the planet.

There are many familiar actors in this Shakespearean drama.  Most of the class leaders from the past decade are still having fun; many are North American, East Coast, and Long Island Champions.  The cast of characters include such teams as Carl Olsson’s MORNING GLORY, Don Filippelli’s CAMINOS, Ted Herlihy’s GUT FEELING, Dave Rosow’s LOKI, Adrian Begley’s MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN, Bob Schwartz’s NORDLYS, Bill Sweetser’s RUSH, Jim Vos’ SKOOT, Jack Forehand’s STRATEGERY, Doug Evans’ TIMEOUT, Brooke Mastrorio’s URSA, and Bill Kneller’s VENTO SOLARE.  Virtually all of these teams have won some big event over the course of time, so handicapping them for a leaderboard is pretty much out of the question- should be fun racing!  For more J/109 North American Championship sailing information