(Harlem, NY)- In a battle of wits, cunning, intrigue, wisdom and plain
old luck, it was MENTAL FLOSS over a weakened BLITZ(krieg) that took it
all from DOUBLE VISION (the gang that couldn't shoot straight), with a
VANISHING ACT not too far behind. Are you serious? This cannot be
real! But, again, "truth is often stranger than fiction". In this
case, J/24 boat names in themselves can be wonderfully entertaining to
discuss over evening cocktails with friends (though, in some cases, NOT
family). The Harlem Yacht Club and J/24 Fleet 61 were hosts for this year's 2011 J/24 Northeast Regional Championships. They held the racing on Eastchester Bay off of beautiful City Island, The Bronx, New York. Cool stuff, really. A Bronx yacht club with tremendous heritage, it all started with a bunch of great guys from Harlem who simply wanted to enjoy some time on the water with their friends. What a great recipe for broadening the sport of sailing to many who may not have had the opportunity to participate because of where they lived in New York city.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable elements of this regatta was the re-emergence of J/24 class's stalwarts from the 80s/90s, for example- Al Constants from Long Island, NY. Al and team showed up with BLITZ to perhaps dial-up their program for the J/24 Worlds in Rochester, NY in 2012?? The wheels are spinning now. The BLITZ boys, as both Al and his brother Dave had always been renown, put on a terrific performance in this event, sailing consistently in the top three to finish second for the regatta with 22 pts. Holding the "old guard" off was Aidan Glackin on MENTAL FLOSS, sailing an impeccable regatta to win with 20 pts. Just off the pace was Phil Walters DOUBLE VISION with 28 pts for third place. Fourth was John Surguy on VANISHING ACT and fifth was Kevin Sailor racing SURCEASE. For more J/24 Northeast Regionals sailing results
