Today, many racing yachts mark the beginning of their northeast summer sailing season by participating in this challenging race. While seemingly an easy dash east round Block Island and back to the start/finish line, it's infinitely more challenging than what most people expect. The classic choices of going down the middle of the Sound or hugging either the CT
or
the Long Island shore is dependent on wind forecasts and tides. How to
get through the notorious "Race", where the eastern part of Long Island
Sound literally opens up to the sea over a large undersea cliff, is
perhaps one of the most critical tactical and navigational challenges in
the race. With enormous whirlpools and massive amounts of current
running up to five knots creating some of the most treacherous, massive
square waves in the world, it's the one part of the race where the race
is won and lost fast. Whether to go inside Plum Island through Plum Gut
or through the main channel inside Gull Island is a critical decision
for the race for any navigator. A large contingent of J's are racing this year, making up a significant portion of the fleet. In the Double-handed IRC class alone there are six J's sailing in an 11 boat class. Amongst the participants are two J/120s, Gardner Grant's ALIBI and Hewitt Gaynor's MIRELLE. Two J/109s are also sailing, Adrian Begley's MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN and Andrew Berdon's STRIDER. Two "classic" 35 foot J's are racing, both successfully over the years, one is Peter Rugg's J/105 JADED and the other is Jason Richter's J/35 PALADIN.
In PHRF2, two J/120s are sailing, Steve Levy's EAGLE and Joe Healey's SOULMATE. In the IRC 40 class, seven of the ten boats are J's in the 40-45 foot range. A trio of J/44s include Phil Gutin's BEAGLE, Norm Schulman's CHARLIE V and Len Sitar's VAMP. Two more J/120s are sailing including George Petrides' AVRA and Rick Oricchio's ROCKET SCIENCE. Two very well-sailed J/122s will be competing for line and handicap honors in this class, previous winner Andrew Weiss' CHRISTOPHER DRAGON and George Marks' GEORGETOWN III. In the IRC 45 class, Colin McGranahan's J/130 DRAGONFLY will be up against two Swan 42s and an IMX-45. Finally, in IRC Zero will be the debut of the J/111 PARTNERSHIP sailed by David and Maryellen Tortorello. For more Storm Trysail Block Island Race sailing information.
