Sunday, September 3, 2017

Conanicut YC Round Island Race Preview

J/109s sailing round island (Jamestown, RI)- The 90th Annual Around The Island Race is taking place this weekend on Narragansett Bay and an enormous fleet of 101 boats are participating, 23 of them are J/Crews (about 23% of the fleet)!

The event signifies for many sailors on Narragansett Bay the culmination of their summer sailing season.  Since it coincides with America’s Labor Day holiday weekend, it also marks the transition from summer vacation to children and youth going back to school in September for their new school year. In other words, for many families, the “last blast” before the fall season kicks in.

Amongst the highlights of this year’s Round Island Race will be the debut of the brand new J/121 INCOGNITO, skippered by her new owner Joe Brito with Jeff Johnstone aboard helping on speed and tactics.  They will be tested hard by Jack Gregg’s J/122 TARAHUMARA in PHRF Class 1.

Then, in PHRF 2 Class, will be a trio of J/109s (Bill Kneller’s VENTO SOLARE, Brooke Mastrorio’s URSA, & John Sahagian’s PICANTE), Paul Grimes’ J/35 BREAKAWAY, Dawson & Ben Hodgson’s J/100 GRIMACE, and Doug Newhouse’s J/88 YONDER.

In PHRF 3 Class will be a mix of classic J’s.  At the top of the fleet will be Stephen Lipman’s J/37C DUCK SOUP; they will be chased hard by Sean Doyle’s J/105 KESTREL and a ubiquitous Narragansett Bay competitor- EC Helme’s J/92S SPIRIT!

The next class will be an interesting mix of boats that includes J/70s and J/80s.  Who will beat who?? Who knows?  It all depends on the course, the breeze, and the breeze angles!  Three J/70s are sailing- Chris Murray, Gordon Fletcher’s GIJIMA, & Suzy Leech’s JUNKANOO.  Victor Bell’s J/80 PHANTOM will be working hard to hold off the onslaught of those “little boats”!

In PHRF 5 Class, it will be a battle of the classic “J” 30+ footers!  Two J/30s- Chris Tate’s BLITZ and Daniel Borsutzky’s FLYING HIGH versus James Cornwall’s J/35C SUGAREE and Dennis Nixon’s J/29 LYNX!

Whether or not the CYC considers them a J/24 “class”, there is no question that after 40 YEARS, the J/24 Newport Fleet #50 has been a long, long-time supporter of the Conanicut YC Round Island Race!  Past winners over time sailing J/24s- Ken Read, Brad Read, Tony Rey, Anthony Kotoun, Terry Hutchinson, Bob, Stu & Jeff Johnstone.  Not exactly chump change in the world of sailing.  The J/24 fleet includes several Newport J/24 #50 Fleet winners.  For more Conanicut YC Around Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.