(Rye, NY)- The two weekends of racing in the famous American Yacht Club Fall Series had the usual cross-section of weather conditions. With a solid 15-25 kts of breeze, the AYC PRO and Race Committee were able to run six races over the first two days, giving the sailors more than they bargained for in their first weekend of racing. The second weekend of racing saw more great sailing breezes and the fleets were, for the most part, able to sail six more races; one of the best two weekends of AYC Fall Series racing in years. The 2019 edition of the American YC Fall Series had big one-design fleets of J/70s, J/88s, J/105s, J/109s, and J/44s participating, as well as an offshore PHRF Fleet.
The eight-boat J/70 fleet saw John Gochberg’s team on USA 551 take an enormous lead over the fleet and they never relinquished their lead; posting an amazing eight 1sts and four 2nds (discarding a 2nd) to win with just 14 pts net. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Team on YOGI sailed a fantastic two-weekend series, also recording a very steady record of all podium finishes; two 1sts, four 2nds, and six 3rds for a total of 25 pts net. Rounding out the leaderboard was Manuel Cadarso’s EOLO with 39 pts net. The top five included Gibbons Sinclair’s HALF MINE II in 4th and Ghislain Descamps’ GRINS in 5th place.
Continuing their domination from the first weekend of racing, John Sommi’s CLOUD 9 won the class in a runaway victory. With the upcoming J/88 North American Championship looming over the horizon on western Long Island Sound at Larchmont, it is not surprising the eleven-boat J/88 class was going to see several teams using the AYC Fall Series as a “pre-NA’s” tune-up. Sommi’s CLOUD 9 ran away with the regatta with ten 1sts and two 2nds for 12 pts net…a mind-numbing, somewhat shell-shocking outcome for the rest of the J/88 fleet. Continuing to challenge the CLOUD 9 team were the class newcomers on Andrew Weiss & Larry Cutler’s ONE TOO MANY; ultimately, taking the silver with 35 pts and counting all top 5 finishes. Climbing her way back into contention on the second weekend was Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION crew, closing with a strong 2-2-3 record on the last day to take the bronze with 42 pts net. Rounding out the top five were Paul Strauch’s ANDIAMO and Tim Sweets GIVE’R from Canada in 4th and 5th place, respectively.
The fourteen-boat J/105 class had a good mixture of racing in their twelve races. Rising to the top after so many races was none other than past Long Island Sound Champion Paul Beaudin skippering his veteran LOULOU team to victory; they concluded the series with 27 pts net. Having a somewhat difficult weekend the second weekend was the early regatta leader, Dwight Greenhouse’s SKIPPERDEE; closing with a 7-DNF in the last two races to drop to second place. Arising like a “phoenix from the ashes” was David Willis’ SOLUTION; closing out the series with an impressive, consistent, 3-1-2-3-3 in the last five races to leap onto the podium in the bronze position. Rounding out the top five was John & Marisa Koten’s GRAY MATTER in 4th and Jeremy Henderson & Harald Edegran’s CONUNDRUM in 5th place.
The thirteen-boat J/109 fleet also saw one boat stand out from the pack for the entire series. David Rosow’s talented crew on LOKI sailed a very consistent series that included six 1sts in 12 races to win with just 21 pts net. Hanging on to second place after the first weekend was Trevor Roach’s INCENDIARY with 31 pts net. Taking the third step on the podium was Jonathan Rechtschaffer’s EMOTICON with 38 pts net. The balance of the top five included Bud Rogers’ BIG BOAT with 39 pts net and Bengt & Marie Johansson’s ZIG ZAG with 63 pts in 4th and 5th, respectively.
The big-boat J/44 one-design class had a half-dozen boats sailing, with four boats sitting within five points of each other after six races! One-design sails supplied by the class ensured extremely close racing. In fact, in the final results the top four boats were only separated by one point; with the podium determined by tie-breakers! Coming on strong in the second weekend was Don & Dick Rave’s VAMP, closing the series fast and furious with a 1-4-1-2-2 tally to take the win on a tie-breaker at 23 pts each. Losing that countback was Don & Dick Rave’s RESOLUTE to take the silver. The bronze was determined on a tie-breaker at 24 pts, with Bill Ketcham’s MAXINE winning the countback over Tom Blackwell’s BREAKAWAY.
In the PHRF handicap world, we find Bill & Jackie Baxter’s J/111 FIREBALL taking fourth in PHRF 1 Class. And, in PHRF 2 Class, Scott Devine’s J/112E REVIVER produced nearly all podium finishes to take the silver in class. Fourth place went to the Landy/ Soohoo duo on their J/100 SANGUINE. For more American YC Fall series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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