(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