Damian Emery's ECLIPSE wins J/105s, Fleet Endures Light Airs and Heavy Current(Rye, NY- May 9-10)- The AYC Spring Series held on Long Island Sound had 91 boats spread across 10 fleets. The weather for both weekends was less than satisfying, a weak High pressure dominated all week long so both weekends were generally light airs fighting current to get around the marks. The J's dominated the one-design fleets, 48 J's representing 52.0% of all boats sailed 4 classes- the J/105, J/109, J/44 and J/122.
In the handicap fleets, the J's fared well in IRC and PHRF. In IRC 3, the J/120 AVRA sailed by George Petrides finished 2nd, just beating out Tom Carroll's J/133 SIREN SONG. In PHRF 4 class, the J/100 SKIPJACK sailed by Joe Matteo earned a respectable 5th overall-- quite good considering she was designed to be the "gentlemen's easy-to-sail, elegant, short-handed daysailer!
In the J one-design classes, the competition was strong in all four fleets. The J/105 Class had the largest turn-out with 21 boats. Damian Emery and team sailed ECLIPSE very well in the highly variable conditions to win overall "by the hairs of their chinny chin chins". One point back was the duo of Joerg Esdorn/ Duncan Hennes on KINCSEM and 13 points further in arrears was Peter Rugg's JADED. The J/109 Class had 6 boats competing and Adrian Begley sailed their renowned MADS DOGS & ENGLISHMEN to first overall ahead of Al Minella's RELENTLESS and Bob Schwartz's NORDLYS, 2nd and 3rd respectively. In the 6 boat J/44 Class, Jim Bishop and the GOLD DIGGER crew were outclassed by Bill Ketchum on MAXINE by only one point, finishing 2nd and 1st respectively. Not too far off the pace were the dynamic duo of Don and Rick Rave on RESOLUTE. Finally, the J/122 Class of 5 boats were shown their way around the course more often than not by perenial campaigner Andrew Weiss and his capable team aboard CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, comfortably winning by a six point margin. Mike Bruno's WINGS hung in there for 2nd with John Chapman's team on board SCREAMING EAGLE finishing 3rd. For more info, news and scores see the American YC's site.
