The PHRF divisions have 69 boats sailing, including 23 J/Teams (33.0% of the fleet!). PHRF Spinnaker Division has a large fleet of J’s participating, including two J/111’s (Don Hudak’s new CAPERS and Ryan Ruhlman’s championship team on SPACEMAN SPIFF), Tim Yanda’s J/120 VIVA LA VIDA, Seth Young’s J/39 BLACK SEAL, Mark Saffell’s J/36 PAINKILLER, Paul Matthews’s J/35 WHITEHAWK, Jay Hawkins new J/88 TY-LEE, Peter Kuhn’s J/33 WINDLASSIE, six J/105s (Rick Drucker’s KNOT GUILTY, Eric Sutherland’s ROLLICK, Bob Mock’s UNBRIDLED, Jim Uhlir’s TRIO, Jim Sminchak’s IT, and Chris Mallet’s SYNCHRONICITY), three J/29s (Cindy Einhouse’s OVATION, Kevin Holland’s BADFISH & Aarne Lillo’s AQUARIUS), John Sukis’s J/34 IOR SNEAK ATTACK, and two J/30s (Rich Galaska’s BREEZIN & Dale & Maggie Gormley’s SAND DOLLAR).
Perhaps the most novel and certainly ground-breaking division that Cleveland Race Week has pioneered is the Women’s “double-handed” offshore sailing divisions. The rules are simply that at least one crew member is a woman. The fact that 12 of the 29 teams are J/Teams (41.0% of the women’s fleet) is not surprising. Fun, easy to sail boats are essential to women having fun sailing boats whether it’s cruising, day-sailing or racing. There are three divisions based on level of experience. In the JAM-Double fleet is Chris Howell sailing with his wife on the J/22 LONDON FOG. In the PHRF-Double Division is John Zelli sailing his J/22 FREE ENERGY with his significant other. Then, in the “all women” PHRF Women’s Division are Abigail Ruhlman and sister sailing the J/111 SPACEMAN SPIFF, Mindy Sminchak sailing the J/105 IT, then two J/70s being sailed by Elizabeth Wilder on REHAB and CC Skoch on USELESS, Cindy Einhouse sailing the J/20 OVATION, Linda Cutler sailing the J/24 CARRY-ON and Cheri Morabito skippering the J/22 WYSIWYG!
Sailing in the PHRF Non-Spinnaker Division are two J/34s (Dave Krotseng’s BONAFIDE & Jack Hull’s AVATII) and a J/30 (Doug Wahl’s RUBBER SOUL). For more Cleveland Race Week Offshore sailing information