(Buffalo, NY)- The 2017 J/22 North American Championship will be hosted
from July 20th to 23rd at Buffalo YC in Buffalo, New York. Thirty-two
boats are registered to compete for one of the most coveted titles in
the J/22 class worldwide, after all the top USA team is often a World
Champion. There is no question this year’s event is deep with talent for a modest-sized fleet. There are a number of local “hotshots” that will be defending home turf from the various upstate New York fleets that range from Rochester to Youngstown and Buffalo to Lake George. Amongst those teams hoping to top the leaderboard are Tim Finkle’s TOOTS, Kevin Doyle’s MO’MONEY, Chris Doyle’s THE JUG 4 1, and Travis Odenbach’s HONEY BADGER.
Taking the local mafia head-on will be past J/22 World Champion, Terry Flynn’s TEJAS from Houston, Texas. Another Texan team to be reckoned with will be Mark Foster’s PRESSURE DROP from Corpus Christi, a place famous for super hot, super windy conditions! From the formidable Annapolis fleet is Zeke Horowitz’s UNCLE FLUFFY and Jeff Todd’s HOT TODDY. Yet another J/22 Champion will be sailing from the Newport, RI fleet- Mike Marshall’s BAD NEWS; indeed “bad news” for those who know how fast and smart they can be! Then, the visiting Canadian team is Johan Koppernaes’ RAISED J from Ottawa, Ontario. Finally, from Tawas Bay, MI is Chris Princing’s EVIL DR PORK CHOP!
The teams will most certainly be challenged by the weekend’s weather forecast. For Thursday there are thunderstorms forecast with a frontal passage, blowing 10-20 kts from the WSW. Friday looks to be the nicest with lighter, variable winds from the NW but swinging around the clock. Then, Saturday’s forecast is partly sunny, turning to rain, with variable winds. And, Sunday yet another frontal passage with a lot more thunderstorms! Hold on to your hats, may need to bring along the old trusty fisherman’s hat to keep the rain from soaking down through your neck! For more J/22 North American Championship sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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