(Annapolis, MD)- This coming weekend will be the first Sailing World NOOD Regatta to be run in 2020, as all of the previous events were canceled due to the pandemic. No question, there are hundreds of passionate enthusiastic J/Sailors migrating their way to Annapolis, MD for this eponymous event. There are big turn-outs for the J/One-design classes that were invited to the regatta- J/22s, J/24s, J/70s, J/80s, J/30s, J/35s, and J/105s. Sixty J/Crews are sailing in the overall fleet of seventy-eight boats- WOW- that's 77.0% of the fleet are J's!
The J/30s have a fantastic fleet of eight boats from all over Chesapeake Bay. The usual suspects of fun-loving leading boats are in attendance; including Dan Watson's AVITA, Jim McGinnis's BLITZ, Bruce Irvin's SHAMROCK, and Doug & Amy Stryker's TOTALED MAYHEM.
The half-dozen J/24 class has its usual cast of characters. Some familiar faces include Sam McGuire's BLOW'VIATE, Pat Fitzgerald's RUSH HOUR, and Kent Bartlett’s SPACEMAN SPIFF.
Similarly, the half-dozen J/22 fleet has some competitive teams in the mix. Those boats include Jeff Todd's famous HOT TODDY and Zander King's RYTHMIC PUMPING.
The quartet of J/35s are sure to see some hot action in this class that has been experiencing a renaissance. Those teams include Jim Sagerholm's AUNT JEAN, Roger Lant's ABIENTOT, Jim McNeely's MAGGIE, and Mike Wood's VALHALLA.
By far the biggest class in the regatta is sixteen-boat J/105 class. Turning out for their first major event since last year are most of the elite on the Chesapeake Bay; including Andrew Kennedy's BAT IV, John Kircher's CHESSIE, Cedric Lewis & Fredrik Salvesen's MIRAGE, Don Santa's SANTAS REIGN DEAR, and Kristen Robinson's VELVET HAMMER.
The eleven-boat J/70 fleet has mostly all locals from the Bay area, but they are joined by John Heaton's Chicago crew on EMPEIRIA. Putting the heat on Heaton's crew will be Peter Firey's PHOENIX, Marty McKenna's RARITY, and Henry Filter's WILD CHILD.
Having a strong showing is the nine-boat J/80 fleet. A number of top local teams will be featured on the leaderboard, such as Alex Kraus's COOL J, Mike Hobson's MELTEMI, Will & Marie Crump & Tom Klok's R80 (World Champions they are), and Ramzi Bannura's STACKED DECK. For more Annapolis NOOD Regatta sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.
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