(Annapolis, MD)- The end of August marks one of the larger regattas held on the Chesapeake Bay every year. The three-day event always has a strong turnout from locals in the northern Chesapeake, often attracting "outsiders" from the southern part of the Bay. Again, the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, the principal host for the event, had its extremely popular tent parties and regatta HQ at the Annapolis City Dock. The change in venue to the Susan C. Campbell Park heightened visibility and attendance and by opening it up to the public, created a citywide festival type event. It could easily have been billed "The Bay J/Fest" if for no other reason than FIVE J One-Design fleets were represented- J/105s with the largest turnout, followed by J/35s, J/30s, J/80s and J/24s. In addition, there are PHRF handicap fleets partaking in all the fun.
Leading the big boys home in PHRF A1 this year was Martin Roesch's new J/111 VELOCITY, sailing to a convincing 2-1-2-1-1-1 record to eclipse their small, but highly competitive fleet by nine points after six races.
The massive fifteen boat J/105 fleet served up yet a few more surprises since the Annapolis NOOD regatta earlier in the year. The top five were reasonably consistent, save for a few "gotcha's" thrown in for good measure. Avoiding the one bad race was regatta winner Carl and Scott Gitchell racing TENACIOUS, managing to pull off three 1sts, two 2nds and a 4th to win with 11 pts, six points clear of their competition. Second was Jim Konigsberg on INIGO, starting off slowly with a 9th, then rattling off two 1sts and three 2nds for a total of 17 pts. Sailing their best regatta of the year was Andrew Kennedy's BAT IV, sailing a very consistent 3-4-3-5-5-3 for 23 pts. Tied for 4th and winning the tie-break was Chris and Carolyn Groobey's JAVA, on the short end of that stick was Bob Reeves' A-TRAIN.
The giant fourteen boat J/80 fleet saw class leaders Kristen and Brian Robinson walk off with most of the dailies and pickle dishes on ANGRY CHAMELEON, sailing to two 1sts, two 2nds and two 3rds for 12 pts. Second was Jesse McKnight on CRUSH with 20 pts and third was John White with 26 pts. Rounding out the top five were Chris Johnson's DRAGONFLY with 32 pts and Bert Carp's USA 11 in fifth with 32 pts.
The wildly enthusiastic turnout of J/35s saw some spirited competition amongst the nine teams assembled for what had to be a "de facto" J/35 East Coast Championships and bragging rights for top J/35 east of the Mississippi. Leaving nothing to chance, Peter Scheidt and his sailed fast and smart, accumulating a 2-1-2-1-4-1 six race record for 11 pts, winning by a six point margin. Chuck Kohlerman sailed MEDICINE MAN to a 3-2-1-3-2-6 record for 17 pts to secure second. They were followed in third by the "Bad Company Syndicate" racing BAD COMPANY to a 1-3-4-6-6-4, starting out strong but slowing down perhaps because the tent parties were "real, real bad"! Great to see such a fun crowd having fun in this 35 foot classic.
Speaking of J classics, the J/30s had a monster attendance with eleven boats showing up for some fun and frolic on the Bay. Simply sailing faster and smarter than all the rest with a fairly dominating series was Bob Rutsch and Mike Costello on BEPOP, four 1sts and two 2nds in six races isn't bad, eh?? Second was Dave McConaughy's crew on USA 90 and third was Ron Anderson's team on INSATIABLE. Fourth was Bob Putnam's BETTER MOUSETRAP and fifth Larry Christy's BIG KAHUNA.
Yet another one of the J classics, the J/24s continue to have a strong, passionate following as well-- hard to keep a good, nice sailing boat in the garage! While perhaps the most famous J/24 was not present, Tony's BANGOR EXPRESS, Paul van Ravenswaay on MILLENIUM FALCON showed them all how to get it done, pounding out three 1sts and three 2nds to win with 9 pts, eight clear of his closest competitors. The real fight happened to be for 2-3-4 slots on the podium. It all came down to the last two races for this crowd. Hanging in there and not throwing it all away on the last race was Brent Ellwood on SANE ASYLUM with a 4-3-1-4-1-4 for 17 pts, winning the tie-breaker over Peter Rich's team that garnered a 2-2-4-2-4-3 also for 17 pts. Losing the battle was Pete Kassal on SPACEMAN SPIFF, starting too slowly with a 5-6 but finishing with a flourish of good finishes- 3-3-3-1. For more Annapolis Race Week sailing results br />
