Friday, June 21, 2019

J/22 North Americans Preview

J/22s sailing offshore
(Wayzata, MN)- The 2019 edition of the J/22 North American Championship will be taking place on Lake Minnetonka and hosted by the Wayzata Yacht Club.  J/22s have enjoyed tremendous popularity in Minnesota, especially since its sloped keel generally does a pretty good job of shedding what seem to be endless weed patches on the lake. The event is enjoying a huge turnout due to the support from the local fleet as well as those boats traveling in from the east coast that are looking to enjoy fabulous Midwestern hospitality.

The sailors will have to contend with the notoriously shifty winds on the lake, as the funnel out of the many bays or roll over the hills surround the lake like mini-tornados.  The fleet of thirty-five boats includes many of the top teams, such as J/22 N.A. Champion Mike Marshall from Newport, RI sailing aboard BAD NEWS; Matt Zupon’s THE DUDE from Larchmont YC in New York; Chris Doyle’s THE JUG 4 1 from Youngstown YC in New York; Chris Princing’s AWARD & SPORTS/ EVIL DR. PORK CHOP from Tawas Bay YC in Michigan;

Some “sleeper” teams that could enjoy success are COLLEGE FUND sailed by three young sailors (Tim Siemers, Will Holz, and Aidan Kennedy) and Todd McBee’s TWO DOLLAR PISTOL from Paducah, KY. For more J/22 North American Championship sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.