J/Teams Enjoy LYRA Regatta(Ashbridges Bay, Ontario, Canada)- The Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) hosted the 130th annual Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) Annual Regatta. This event consisted of both long-distance and course racing, with the fleets representing numerous LYRA member yacht clubs in the Great Lakes. Also, held in conjunction with the event was the Hans Fogh J/80 Canadian Open (held in honor and a tribute to the late Canadian champion- Hans Fogh).
Led by the Lake Ontario Fleet Captain Lawrence Alexander (JIGGERS), and with support from ABYC member Bart Smit (NAUTICAL SYMPHONY), the J/80 fleet invited sailors to join them on Lake Ontario as part of their preparation for the J/80 North Americans and J/80 Worlds this fall in Annapolis. Perhaps taking advantage of their profound local knowledge and rather extraordinary speed and agility, it turns out it was Smit’s NAUTICAL SYMPHONY that took class honors in a rather light air affair! They had to work hard over the four races to be David Smith’s EAGLES WINGS by just one point. Smit’s 2-1-1-3 tally for 7 pts was just good enough over Smith’s 1-3-2-2 for 8 pts! Fleet Captain Alexander closed with a flourish, winning the last race, to post a 5-6-3-1 scoreline for 15 pts to snag third. One point in arrears of them was Dave Neasmith’s SEGUEH in 4th and two more points back was Eric Jacob’s UQILAJUQ!
The J/105s were also tuning-up for their J/105 North Americans locally in Toronto being held later in September at Royal Canadian YC. Many local top teams are in attendance, but the fleet were a bit disappointed to get in only one race! The highly-talented twelve boat fleet saw Peter Hall’s JAMAICA ME CRAZY win, followed by the dynamic and dangerous duo of Terry McLaughlin & Rod Wilmer in second. Third was snagged by another J/105 Champion- Jim Rathbun’s HEY JUDE! Ted Weir’s TUSK and Gavin Disney’s THE USUAL SUSPECTS, respectively, rounded out the top five.
Out on Course Alpha, the offshore handicap boats managed to get in two races. In IRC 1 Class, the J/133 HOT WATER sailed by John Mcleod took third overall. In the IRC 3 Class, Paul-angus Bark’s J/35 CRIME SCENE managed a 4th overall. And in IRC 4 Class, Andrew Sharp’s J/92 SWITCH took 4th, too.
In the Course Charlie PHRF divisions, the J/33 DAYBREAK sailed by Bonnie Reib posted all top five finishes to grab third on the podium!
Finally, in the Founders Race, Sharp’s J/92 SWITCH won IRC 3 Fleet and Murray Gainer’s J/109 LIVELY took 2nd in IRC 2 fleet. For more J/80 Canadian Open and LYRA Regatta sailing information
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