Strong Fleet Taken By STORM(Block Island, RI- June 22-26)- A well sailed fleet of thirteen J/109s showed up to contend for East Coast Champs silverware. For Rick Lyall (Wilton, Conn.), skipper of STORM in the J/109 class, sailing "clean and competitively"- and winning Friday's race -- was the key to securing his Block Island victory and the 2009 J/109 East Coast Championship title. "It was very exciting, sailing in 18-19 knots today," he said. "The boat was prepared and performing tremendously; we were spot on with our navigation and tactics, and we're just thrilled with the victory." CAMINOS, skippered by Donald Filippelli, (Amagansett, N.Y.) was the only boat that could mathematically beat STORM today, and that's who Lyall defended against initially. After CAMINOS made the "mistake" of going to the right gate, however, STORM was free to establish its lead on the second downwind leg, and the rest was history.
Finishing second after a strong finish towards the end of the week was Donal Fillipelli from Amagansett, NY racing CAMINOS. Just off the pace eleven points back was Ted Herlihy of South Dartmouth, MA racing GUT FEELING.