(Rye, NY)- Following on the previous weekend's IRC East Coast
Championships hosted by Riverside YC in Greenwich, CT, it was American
YC's turn this time around. It was yet another gorgeous weekend of
racing on Long Island Sound with six to seven races sailed in 8-16 kt
breezes with big puffs, holes and wind shifts that rewarded a
combination of smart sailing and a bit of luck. The J Teams were
well-represented across the spectrum of one-design sailing and IRC/ PHRF
Handicap racing in a strong turn-out of 102 boats registered. In the
one-design world were big fleets of nine J/44s, eight J/109s, twenty-one
J/105s and six J/80s. In the handicap arena, the J/122s, J/133 raced
in IRC 3 while J/111s sailed PHRF A and the J/70, J/29s and J/92 sailed
PHRF 4. All in all, fifty-six J's were sailing or about 55% of the
total fleet, the overwhelming brand leader in the regatta!
The
competition in IRC 40 was very close and the starts were difficult with
many of the top boats pushing the line hard at the favored end. After
the dust cleared, it was pretty clear that Andrew Weiss' family team
aboard the magnificent J/122 CHRISTOPHER DRAGON were out for redemption
from their performance the week before in the IRC East Coasts. Starting
in first and never relinquishing their lead, Andrew's team dashed off
five 1sts and one 2nd to be leading their IRC 3 class with just 5 pts
(net). Second is the other beautiful J/122 WINGS sailed this time by
Mike Bruno, managing a 2-2-10-4-3-2 for 13 pts net. Fourth is currently
Steve Furnary's PATRIOT with a 3-4-53-5-4 for 19 pts net. Sixth is Ron
Richman's J/133 offshore champion ANTIDOTE.In PHRF A, the J/111s are leading with Paul Strauch's ANDIAMO currently leading with four 1sts and two 2nds for 6 pts net followed by a much improved, fast-sailing BRAVO sailed by Sedgwick Ward's team with four 2nd and two 1sts for 8 pts net!
In
PHRF 4, the J/Teams are giving everyone headaches, starting with the
famous J/29 HUSTLER sailed by the Esposito family with John and Tony
continuing to lead the charge. HUSTLER's six 1sts and one 2nd mean they
have a perfect scoreline of 6 pts net. Second is the J/92 HOUND DOG
sailed by Christian Uecker with a 3-2-2-2-1-2-3 tally for 12 pts net.
Kerry Klingler and Rick Lyall (of J/109 STORM fame) are sailing their
new J/70 and currently sit in fourth despite not finishing 3 races.In the one-design world, the J/44's had tight, fun racing amongst the eight boats that were sailing. Many of the mark-roundings were so close virtually all the boats were taking the corners of the course as a group! So far, Jim Bishop's team on GOLD DIGGER have got their boat-speed back onto form and are rumbling around the racetrack in first place with a record of four 1sts and two 4ths for 8 pts net. Second is Bill Ketcham's MAXINE with a 2-4-1-5-2-2 record for 11 pts net. Third is Jeff Willis' CHALLENGE IV with a 3-5-3-2-4-1 for 13 pts net. Len Sitar's and AJ Evans' VAMP is fourth and Don & Dick Rave are fifth sailing RESOLUTE.
The J/109s have had one boat jump out in front of the pack with a six point lead while the next four boats are all fighting for the balance of the podium all within 3 pts of each other. At the top is Jim Vos' SKOOT with a 3-6-1-2-1-2-1 for 10 pts net. Matt Baker's RELIANT has 16 pts net for second, John Pearso's BLUE SKY has 19 pts net for third on a tie-break with Jack Forehand on STRATEGERY. Bob Schwartz's NORDLYS is in fifth with 20 pts! Incredibly close sailing for this group, most likely making for some anxious moments this coming weekend on Long Island Sound!
J/105s
are enjoying one of their best turn-outs for the AYC Fall Series in
years, with twenty-one boats participating! At the top of the pack are
some of the long-time class leaders. Topping the leader board for this
past weekend is Damian Emery's ECLIPSE with a 3-6-1-4-1-7-3 for 18 pts
net. Second is Joerg Esdorn's and Duncan Hennes' KINCSEM with a
5-2-3-5-6-1-6 for 22 pts net. Third is Harald Edegran's and Jeremy
Henderson's CONUNDRUM with a 1-3-9-6-11-3-1 for 23 pts pts. Rounding
out the top five is Paul Beaudin's LOULOU in fourth with 27 pts and
fifth is George and Alex Wilbanks' REVELATION with 29 pts.Finally, the big news for J/80s is that this is the first year the J/80s have had a one-design start in the AYC Fall Series! The racing is close and fun. Gary Panariello's team on COURAGEOUS is leading with four 1sts and three 2nd for 8 pts net. Just behind is Mike Zupon's JUGGERNAUT two each of 1sts, 2nds, 3rds and a 5th for 12 pts. Third is Dan Goldberg's FRIVOLOUS 16 pts net followed by Dave Wenstrup on MERLIN in fourth and Mike Beers' MITT-SEA in fifth! For more American YC Fall Series sailing information
