(Annapolis, MD)- The Hillman Capital Management J/24 East Coast
Championships hosted by the Severn Sailing Association (SSA) is held in
the fall around Halloween and has the reputation of providing big
breezes with cool temperatures, three days of competitive racing, and a
great party. The 34th edition of this fall classic, however, featured
mild temperatures, a shifty breeze that ranged between only 5 and 15
knots, and the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy for the incredibly
talented forty boat fleet.
With
the final day of racing cancelled, the highly experienced SSA Race
Committee successfully set off seven races, and it was enough to crown
Tim Healy and his 11th HOUR RACING crew as this year's J/24 East Coast
Champion. Having just placed 2nd at this year's J/24 World Championships
in Rochester, NY, the former World Champion quickly established his
skillful management of the shifting conditions. Healy left no doubt as
the top competitor of the event, having no finishes worse than 4th place
in a fleet of 34 boats.Healey's record for the seven races was impressive enough, scoring one 1st, five 2nds and a 4th for a total of only 15 pts, well clear of his next competitors by 24 pts. Second was Mark Hillman's team (the title sponsor of the event), starting out slow but coming on strong for the rest of the event, gathering finishes of 14-1-6-6-3-1-8 for 39 pts. There was quite a battle for third place overall with Rossi Milev sailing CLEAR AIR for Port Credit YC, Ontario, the top Canadian boat, narrowly defeating the next competitors. Rossi's team amassed a 5-15-4-5-1-4-10 for 44 pts. Fourth was the HONEY BADGER team with a score of 21-4-1-2-9-3-7 for 47 pts and fifth was Will Welles on ANGRY DRAGON with scores of 6-9-8-1-7-7-12 for 50 pts.
Once
again, SSA was able to accommodate everyone even while undergoing a
major renovation of the clubhouse. After each day of racing, sailors
were met at the docks by fleet volunteers with smiling faces and trays
full of Copperhead Ale and Bud Light. There was also an unlimited supply
of Dark and Stormys at the tent party to satisfy even the thirstiest
sailor.The event also treated racers to a traditional Maryland crab soup and a fresh oyster bar, which featured the two‐time U.S. National Oyster Shucking Champion, George "The Oyster Guy" Hastings. Besides the epic games of flip cup and corn hole, the tent party was highlighted by the event raffle that gave away over 50 items and featured a new J/24 Quantum mainsail won by Peter Bream.
Plans are already under way for next year's event and it promises to be even bigger and better. Come on out if you've never been to the East Coast Championships or haven't been in a while. You won't want to miss out on one of the most premier sailing events on the East Coast. Sailing photo credits- Dan Phelps/ SpinSheet.com For more J/24 East Coasts sailing information