(Rye, NY)- American Yacht Club hosted the first weekend of the 2019 Spring Series, a two-weekend regatta, which included competitors from across the East Coast with over seventy boats. Competing in this year's regatta were nine separate boat classes-- IRC, PHRF, J/44, J/109, J/88, J/105, J/70 and J/80. The J/105s featured the largest fleet with 14 boats. Three races were held in all divisions.
Sunday racing brought a light to moderate 5 to 15 kts breeze from the north/ northeast that made for a great day of sailing after heavy winds prevented racing on Saturday. Both courses started races on time and, despite the cool and drizzly conditions, the gentle breezes helped make for a great day of sailing.
David Rosow’s J/109 LOKI, Daniel Goldberg’s J/70 BAZINGA and Jason Viseltear’s J/80 UPSETTER all mastered the South Course with three first-place finishes each and wrapped up the weekend atop their Class standings. Past AYC Commodore Mike Bruno sailed steadily on his J/88 WINGS and ended the weekend in second place following a first-place finish in Race 3.
In the J/109 Class, behind Rosow’s LOKI is Robert Schwartz’s NORDLYS in second place and John Greifzu’s GROWTH SPURT in third.
Elizabeth Barry’s team on the J/88 ESCAPE has sailed strongly and her 1-1-2 tally leads the J/88s by a good margin. Second is Bruno’s WINGS, tied on points with Kevin Marks’ VELOCITY.
Paul Beaudin’s J/105 LOU LOU has a commanding lead in the J/105 class with a 2-1-2. Second is David Willis’ SOLUTION with a 7-2-6 while “the kids” on the YOUNG AMERICAN Team won the first race and closed with a 7-10 to sit in third in a three-way tie. Tied with “the kids” is Jeremy Henderson & Harald Edegran’s CONUNDRUM with a 9-8-1 and John Koten’s GRAY MATTER with a 5-10-3.
In the J/70s, behind BAZINGA is Carrie & Ed Austin’s CHINOOK with a 2-2-4 record in second and White Rhino Racing sailing J-RHINO to a 3-5-2 to hold on to third place.
The East Course saw Commodore Ketcham take a commanding lead in the J/44 fleet, while enjoying beautiful big boat sailing conditions and stable wind from the north and northeast. Behind them are Len Sitar’s VAMP in second and Don & Dick Rave’s RESOLUTE in third place.
In the PHRF Racing division, Ron Richman’s J/133 ANTIDOTE is sitting in second place. And, in the PHRF Plus One division, Steve Levy’s J/121 EAGLE took a second place.
Sunday also featured many junior sailors on a variety of big boats. On one J/70, four 13-year-old girls enjoyed their first J-sailing racing experience aboard Marshall Saffer's LET IT RIP.
Overall, it was a successful and fun day on the water. A big thank you to the AYC Race Committee for running excellent races and the safety and rescue teams for helping keep everyone safe on the water. Racing will continue next weekend and AYC looks forward to seeing sailors back for more racing, great food and cold beer! For more American YC Spring Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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