(Stamford, CT)- In a year of regatta cancellations, the Long Island Sound J/109 Fleet kept October 17-18 on the calendar with the hopes that they could finally do some one-design racing in 2020. For eight dedicated crews, the Stamford Yacht Club delivered an excellent event for the second annual Fleet 10 Fall Classic!
Saturday’s racing was in a shifty northwest breeze of 10-18 knots. All day, the game was to connect the puffs and minimize the damage when a shift did not go your way, or you were hit with an auto-tack (or auto-gybe). JR Rechtschaffer’s EMOTICON leveraged its local knowledge from a summer of sailing in Stamford and started strong with a 1-1 in the first two races. With four races in the books, EMOTICON held the Day 1 lead with Bud Rogers’ BIG BOAT and Trevor Roach’s INCENDIARY right behind. After racing, the warmer weather permitted the fleet to have a socially distanced lawn party, a rarity for 2020.
On Sunday, the wind shifted to the east, then southeast. The Race Committee kept the fleet on time and completed another three races in 8-14 knots of breeze. What was forecast to be a consistent breeze turned out to have huge oscillations that kept the fleet on its toes. Several boats went from hero-to-zero, or zero-to-hero, in a matter of minutes. EMOTICON worked hard to overcome a missed shift (or four) and pulled out a 1-2-3 on the final day, and with 14 total points, won the regatta. BIG BOAT and INCENDIARY tied with 16 total points, with BIG BOAT winning the tie-breaker on countback. Rounding out the top five were John Greifzu's GROWTH SPURT and Greg Imbruce's JOYRIDE in 4th and 5th, respectively. Sailing photo credits- Rick Bannerot/ Ontheflyphoto.netAdd to Flipboard Magazine.
|
