BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK UPDATE

(Block Island, RI)- With just under 100 days left until Race Week, 150 teams have already joined Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville (seventy are J/Boats = 47%)! This is the highest number of early registrations in over a decade for the biennial Storm Trysail Club event. “We cannot underestimate the motivation for sailors and their families to return to doing what they love together,” says Event Chair Ray Redniss. “With increased vaccine rollouts and lower case numbers, we are cautiously optimistic that our 2021 event will be a great success.”

Still, the race organizers are managing expectations that 2021 won’t be exactly like past Race Weeks. The logistics of hosting a large regatta on an island demands months of preparation and - as one of the first major events to be held among so much uncertainty - a variety of necessary measures to keep sailors, volunteers and local families safe and healthy will be implemented. What those policies look like is still being determined.


“We meet each week as a team and are in constant contact with local businesses, a variety of experts, and our vendors,” says Redniss. “We know our sailors come for the fun, camaraderie, and competition, and our goal is still to deliver all that at the highest level, albeit safely.”

Regards J/Teams participation, so far here are the amazing numbers:

• ORC 2- five J/121s and two J/122s
• J/44 class- seven boats
• J/88 class- five boats
• J/109 class- thirteen boats
• J/105 class- sixteen boats
• PHRF 1- six J/111s and two J/122s (J/111s will get one-design start)
• PHRF 2- a J/99, J/33, J/35
• PHRF 3- a J/24, two J/29s, two J/80s
• PHRF Cruise 1 Spin- a J/120, J/95
• PHRF Cruise 2 Spin- a J/120, J/125, J/133
• PHRF Cruise 3 Spin- a J/29

Racers planning to attend should have already started to make their housing, docking, and ferry arrangements, as we have been notified there are only a few reservations still available. Do not wait to plan ahead for your week away! Come one, come all, and join in on the fun! It promises to be an EPIC Block Island Race Week!  Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier. For more Block Island Race Week sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK ANNOUNCEMENT

 

(Block Island, RI)- With 81 boats already registered for Storm Trysail Club’s 29th Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville; the 2021 edition is shaping up to be one of the biggest turnouts in recent years. J/Boats teams are clearly enthusiastic about getting back out to Block Island and enjoying a week of sailing and camaraderie! Forty-nine J's signed up, where are you?!

So far, here are the highlights for J/Teams. In the one-design classes, there are six J/88s, thirteen J/105s, twelve J/109s, and five J/44s. In the ORC Division are two J/121s. In the PHRF Division are three J/111s, two J/122s, a J/35, a J/33, two J/29s, a J/80, and a J/24. In the PHRF Pursuit Race division is a J/125 and a J/133.

Storm Trysail Club and Margaritaville today announced that for the second time, Margaritaville, the global lifestyle brand known for escapism and fun, will be the presenting sponsor of the 29th edition of Block Island Race Week, one of the largest and most prestigious big boat regattas in the United States. 

“We are elated to be partnering once again with Margaritaville,” says Event Chair, Ray Redniss. “Storm Trysail Club is honored they are continuing to be a part of the iconic tradition that is our 29th Block Island Race Week. Our goals and passions align to create a fun, safe escape for our sailors to kick off their summer.”  Redness added, “This event was founded on the idea that it should be more than just a competitive regatta; there has always been an emphasis on fun, camaraderie and an openness to all kinds of boats and crews.  The vibe that Margaritaville adds to Race Week is a natural fit.”

“As we look to lift spirits in 2021, we are thrilled to bring the Margaritaville state-of-mind back to Block Island Race Week,” shared Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer at Margaritaville.   

Sailors are encouraged to register and learn more at blockislandraceweek.com. Storm Trysail Club and Margaritaville are committed to putting attendee health and safety at the forefront of the event and are continuously monitoring health guidelines as provided by the CDC and local entities.  Sailing photo credits- Steve Cloutier. "Block Island Steve"   To learn about Margaritaville’s commitment to health, safety and sanitation, please visit us online.   For more Block Island Race Week sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

EIGHT BELLS: DAVE PHILIPS

(Newport, RI)- It is with great sadness that J/Boats reports that David M. Philips passed away November 27 at Brightview Commons in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He was age 94.

David was a long-time fan of J/Boats since the company first started building J/24s in Warren, RI and setup its world headquarters in Newport, RI. David was THE sailing reporter for the Providence Journal, the principal newspaper for the State of Rhode Island. David became quick friends with Bob and Rod Johnstone, J/Boats' co-founders in the summer of 1977. Dave took great pride in reporting on the success of the J/24 at Block Island Race Week in 1977 and subsequent events later. Dave reported every single day of the first J/24 World Championship in 1979 held in Newport, RI. He interviewed participants, the winner Charlie Scott from Annapolis, MD, and provided great coverage of the event. In later years, David would continue to report on the continued growth of J/Boats and the successes of numerous J/Designs over the next three-plus decades. In fact, Dave was particularly proud of Rhode Islanders that were winning across the USA, Europe, and World Championships- like Ken and Brad Read, Ed "Moose" McClintock, Scott Ferguson, Ed Adams, amongst others too numerous to mention.

After graduating high school in 1944, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy and deployed to the Pacific as a meteorologist on an aircraft carrier. Stationed as part of the 8,000-vessel fleet gathered at Ulithi for the invasion of Japan, he and his fellow sailors were relieved to learn of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Following the Japanese surrender he finished his tour of duty in 1946 and returned home to go to college on the GI Bill. After graduating from Wesleyan University in 1951 he began his career as a journalist working for publications in Prescott, AZ, Nampa, ID, Wallingford, CT and New Haven, CT before coming to the Providence Journal, where he worked as a sports journalist for 36 years until his retirement.

David loved covering sailing and his coverage of the America’s Cup races in Newport, RI, San Diego, CA and Perth, Australia made the Providence Journal the newspaper of record for following the America’s Cup. Even 20 years after his retirement, a trip to the waterfront always included people recognizing him and coming up to reminisce.

“If you raced sailboats on Narragansett Bay from the 1960s to the 1990s you knew Dave Philips,” recalled Providence Journal colleague Michael Szostak. “If you skippered a 12-meter yacht on Rhode Island Sound during the hey-day of America’s Cup racing in Newport, you knew Dave Philips. If you crewed aboard a boat in the Newport-Bermuda race, you knew Dave Philips.”

Dave served as Chairman of RI Boating Council, held memberships in US Sailing and Narragansett Bay Yachting Association, and worked as a correspondent for Yachting Magazine for 10 years in the 1970s. The Narragansett Bay Yachting Association awarded him the William E. Tripp trophy for making an outstanding contribution to yachting and yacht racing on Narragansett Bay for 36 years.

Known to have quipped, “I’ve covered every sport but ladies wrestling,” his interests ranged well beyond his impressive knowledge of sports statistics and facts. He recalled a vast repertoire of college and university fights songs and could add a song lyric or apt quotation to any conversation. He knew all the songs and cheers for his alma mater, Wesleyan, where he served as Secretary of the Class of 1951 from 1971 until 2019.

His love of singing led him to sing in a cowboy barbershop quartet in Prescott, AZ and later in his church choir at St. Martin’s Church in Providence. Additionally, he possessed an abiding interest in the weather sparked by his naval service as a meteorologist. He faithfully followed The Weather Channel, which may have even preempted ESPN as his favorite. Each year he purchased a Farmer’s Almanac and inserted blank pages to keep track of the actual weather compared to the Almanac’s prediction.

As much as he loved sports, weather and singing, he also loved dogs, especially a series of Miniature Schnauzers. His idea of contentment was a comfortable chair in front of a roaring fire with a dog in his lap.

He is survived by two brothers, Daniel Philips of Pompano Beach, Florida and John Philips of Silver Spring, Maryland, a sister, Caroline Norwood of Emeryville, California and his special friend, Constance Hargreaves and her family of Cranston, RI.

He is also survived by many cousins including, Nancy Burroughs of Peace Dale, RI, Tom Rowe of Middletown, RI, Andy Rowe of Hope, ME, Clark Tyler of McLean, VA, Terry Tyler of Dorset, VT and David Rowe of Northbrook, IL.

Due to COVID restrictions the graveside service at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI will be private. A memorial to celebrate his life will be held next spring or summer. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to St. Martin’s Church, 50 Orchard Avenue Providence, RI 02906. 

STC 29th Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville Announcement!

 

(Block Island, RI) – The Notice of Race for the 29th Edition of the biennial Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville has just been issued by Storm Trysail Club Rear Commodore and STC-BIRW 2021 Event Chair Ray Redniss. 


Redniss reports, “obviously, planning for a week-long regatta in the midst of pandemic uncertainty is a challenge.  So, we are thrilled Margaritaville is back to add even more fun and spirit to this event. We are also happy to report, based on the results of a survey of past competitors conducted this week, that interest from the fleet appears to be high.  Storm Trysail Club is confident that we can stage a safe and exciting event while continuing to monitor health guidelines, listening to our sailors, and adapting contingency plans as needed.”

On-the-Water Director for BIRW 2021 Dick Neville explains, “In the last edition in 2019, we expanded the number of racing formats to accommodate an even wider array of yachts – from world-class Grand Prix teams on Windward/Leeward courses to families and friends on cruising boats in daily navigator and pursuit style races. As a result, we had quite a number of first-time entrants, and look forward to welcoming more entries by expanding Double-handed and Plus1 opportunities.” 

Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville typically offers four to five days of racing and when the weather doesn’t cooperate (which historically happens once per week), we have activities planned to keep even the most competitive sailors entertained onshore. The highlight of the week for many sailors is the Around Block Island Race in which the entire fleet circumnavigates the beautiful island off the coast of Rhode Island.

The biennial event was first held in 1965 after a number of Storm Trysail members participated in Cowes Week in England and were inspired to create an American version. In 2019, 122 boats competed across 13 divisions with close to one thousand participants, volunteers, and families descending on the island for the third week of June. 

Event Chair Redniss expressed cautious optimism regarding the usual shore side parties and social activities. “As befitting a Club that places a high priority on Safety, we will be very vigilant in ensuring that we adhere to all of the appropriate conditions and recommendations. While the tent parties are generally a centerpiece of the shoreside festivities, we are looking at other creative ways to preserve all of the fun in the event the tent is not feasible.” Sailing photo credit- Stephen Cloutier.  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information

Vineyard Race Preview

(Stamford, CT)- Hosted by Stamford YC, Labor Day weekend's Vineyard Race is a classic American yachting event. This 238-mile course stretches from Shippan Point through the swirling currents of Plum Gut past Block Island, and on to the light tower at the entrance to Buzzard's Bay. Once reached, sailors return by leaving Block Island to starboard en route to the finish in Stamford Harbor.

Begun in 1932, it has attracted the finest sailors and fastest boats for nearly 80 years, and its intricacies and challenges bring them back time after time. Those who are successful nearly always credit local knowledge of these tricky waters and a good deal of luck.

The Vineyard Race was described in Yachting Magazine as, "The greatest distance races of the world have several things in common - a challenging course, competitive fleets and an interesting array of famous yachts. By those standards, the Stamford Yacht Club's Vineyard Race rates close to the top. Like a miniature Fastnet, the Vineyard has a combination of coastal cruising, where currents play a big role, a stretch of ocean sailing, and a mark to round- the Buzzards Bay tower- before returning."  There are several dozen J/Crews participating in this year's race. And, they are scattered amongst the three race tracks.


VINEYARD RACE (longest distance)
Racing in PHRF 7 Double Class is David Rosow's J/109 LOKI and the Young American AYC team on their J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN. Sailing in PHRF 8 Double Class is Sara & Josh Reisberg's J/120 ABILYN. ORC Class 10 includes John Greifzu's J/109 GROWTH SPURT. The twelve-boat PHRF 11 Class is loaded with well-sailed J/Teams; including Arthur Hanlon's J/112E DAUNTLES, a trio of J/120s (Brian Spears's MADISON, Mark Nannini's SALACIA, & Charles Murphy's TRUANT), and a trio of J/109s (Don Dwyer's GUARDIAN J, Dan Nash's MISTRAL, & Cao Deambrosio & Chris Nicholls's RHIANNON III). The nine-boat PHRF 12 Class has a trio of J/111s racing (Bill & Jackie Baxter's FIREBALL, John Donovan's LIBERTAS YCC, & Pito Chickering's THE ROOST) and a duo of J/122s sailing (Dan Heun's MOXIEE & Kevin Kelley's SUMMER GRACE). Finally, in ORC 13 Class are two very fast-reaching boats, Steve Levy's J/121 EAGLE and Len Sitar's J/160 COUGAR.


SEAFLOWER REEF RACE (medium distance)
Participating in PHRF 4 Double Class is Robert Pogue's J/92 NEVER SETTLE.  Then, in the eight-boat PHRF 5 Class are a number of J/Teams, including Justin Scagnelli & Tim Price's J/88 ALBONDIGAS, a duo of J/105s (Frank Conway’s RAPTOR & David Spence's SYNERGY), and Todd Aven's hot J/99 THIN MAN!

CORNFIELD POINT RACE (shortest distance)
Sailing in the PHRF 1 Class is James Weil's J/92 VIXEN. They will be competing for overall handicap honors with Blaine Davis's J/30 BOUREE in PHRF 2 Class.  For more Vineyard Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/35 HOUQUA - A Great Boat Recalled Twice in 48 Hours

* J/Boats co-founder Bob Johnstone, had provided us a "Throwback Thursday" perspective regards sailing his J/35 HOUQUA back in the mid-1980's.  Here was his commentary...

"An Easter message, perhaps from Job 1:21? 'The Lord Gave, and the Lord Hath Taken Away.' Yes, within 48 hours that beautiful, dark blue J/35 HOUQUA, was the cause of a happy phone call on April 5th.  48 hours later it recalled a dramatic moment in the life of a friend and shipmate that had recently passed away. 

The happy phone call was to meet and converse with two new friends on April 5th, Cheryl Miller, HOUQUA’s (now named DEAN’S LIST) current owner and boat yard owner Dean Fitzpatrick.  Then 48 hours later, I learned that Dayton Carr, with whom I had shared a dramatic yacht race, passed away.

Dayton, and by coincidence another Dean (Matthews), sailed with me on HOUQUA in what I recall was the New York Yacht Club's 1987 Queen’s Cup. We had the race won handily in 30-35 knot winds with many boats having dropped out. It was blowing so hard that with 100% blade, the main was sometimes totally ragged, if not sailed on just the battens.  HOUQUA was on the starboard layline about 1/2 mile from being first to finish. Dayton was wincing in great pain, having cracked or broken a rib, falling against a cockpit winch and not being able to hike. John Marshall’s Hinckley 42C DRAGON FIRE was approaching on port about a mile to leeward.  When what to our astonishment did we witness?  The New York YC Race Committee fired off 3 guns to abandon the race. What a bummer!

There are trophy races that are listed in a given year as “No Race” or “Not Awarded”, but the 1987 Queen’s Cup is the only major trophy race listed in the NYYC Yearbook as “Race Abandoned”. 

Seas were very rough with the RC Boat (Black Knight?) rolling to such an extent, and likely with injured and very sick committee members aboard, they pulled up anchor to head in. 

At the time, HOUQUA and DRAGON FIRE were in plain sight about to finish. Couldn’t see anyone else. The RC probably decided that a half-dozen other boats were still a half hour or more from finishing... and, with more than half the fleet damaged or having retired: this was not a race, but “survival”. There would only be a few boats listed in the results. Survival to the finish was, for the crew of HOUQUA, a huge yacht racing challenge. In any event, to successfully overcome those challenges was one of life’s great moments for a great boat and crew.

We felt so badly for Dayton, who had given up a rib for naught. On the way back in, off Castle Hill, John Marshall’s DRAGON FIRE gave up a part as well: it’s binnacle and wheel.... yanked completely out of the deck when John lurched against it in a wipeout.  Yes, it was quite a day of sailing!" 

J/Crews Smoke Ida Lewis Distance Race

(Newport, RI)– For a 15th year the Ida Lewis Distance Race indulged competitive racing sailors in an overnight sprint that proved both challenging and extraordinary. Thirty-one teams, in five classes for boats of 28 feet and longer, set out after noontime on Friday, August 16 to engage in a 110-mile course that took them from the start off Fort Adams, past Castle Hill to Buzzards Bay Tower, then to a mark southwest of Block Island (near Montauk) and back to Buzzards Bay Tower before returning to Newport Harbor where a finish was sighted from the deck of host Ida Lewis Yacht Club and teams were greeted on the water with a bottle of Prosecco. The course was the shortest of four options chosen by the Race Committee prior to the start in anticipation of extremely light breezes.

“The goal is always to have the bulk of the fleet back to shore by late morning/early afternoon,” said Event Chair Pat Kennedy, “and we were concerned at one point that even our shortest course might not accommodate that, but in the end, the fastest boat – the Volvo 70 Warrior (skippered by Stephen and Steve Murray of New Orleans) – made it back before last call (12:30 a.m.), and the last three boats finished just before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.”

“The wind was east and southeast when it’s usually from the south and southwest. It was the first time we’ve put up a spinnaker coming from Buzzard’s Bay Tower back to Newport; usually it’s a reach. And coming from Montauk to Buzzard’s Bay, we were tacking, which is unusual,” commented skipper Brian Cunha. His team saw 7-12 knots of breeze the entire time, which was more than the smaller boats experienced. “They had a more challenging time getting around the Montauk mark because of the dying wind and the current against them.”

This year marked the first time for the PHRF Spinnaker Aloha class (for smaller boats with PHRF ratings of 55 and higher). Winning that was the J/35 BREAKAWAY skippered by Paul Grimes Portsmouth, R.I. and dual scored as a Collegiate team entry. Grimes enlisted the talents of five college sailors (daughter Megan Grimes (Yale), Aili Moffet (Conn. College), Colin Moffet (Princeton), Spencer Dellenbaugh (Brown Univ.) and Victoria Boatwright (Georgetown Univ.).

“This year was a nice change from last year, which had thunderstorms and lightning,” said Colin Moffet. “It was tough getting by Block Island with two knots of current and two knots of breeze, but it was nice once we got out of there.”

BREAKAWAY led a sweep of the PHRF Spinnaker Aloha class. Taking second was DC Helme’s J/92S SPIRIT and third was Bill Kneller’s J/109 VENTO SOLARE.

In the PHRF Doublehanded, taking second was Jonathan Burt’s J/130 LOLA from Hingham, MA.  For more Ida Lewis YC Distance Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Classic Margaritaville Block Island Race Week

Sun, Fog, Wind, Rain, & Jimmy Buffett!
(Block Island, RI)- In a throwback to yesteryears, the Storm Trysail Club’s biennial Block Island Race Week lived up to its storied past, producing a myriad of challenges to the sailors on the water, as well as a “block buster” entertainment program onshore.

Nearly two hundred boats sailed the 2019 Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, sponsored by Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville brand. The island weather Gods were up to their usual tricks. The first day was simply spectacular and most fleets completed four races. However, a huge frontal system was rolling offshore during Tuesday’s Around the Island Race, making for a thunderous, memorable, wet, windy, cold race.  Wet, indeed, like nearly 2.0” of rain in 2 hours, that is a lot of rain. Then, Wednesday was declared a “day off”, a true “lay day” where crews enjoyed the foggy but sunny day in cool temperatures ashore with tug-o-wars, badminton wars, and corn-hole wars, and even “mudslide wars”.  Thursday and Friday both dawned with foggy mornings that gradually gave way to sunny days and, thankfully, warm seabreezes building that permitted good racing on the final two days.

J/crews across the board enjoyed the week-long bacchanalian festival of sailing and onshore festivities.  In the ORC 2 Class, the Team family (Robin, Alston, & Colman) on the J/122 TEAMWORK from North Carolina managed a 2nd place in a very competitive eight-boat class.  Third was yet another J/122, Paul Milo’s ORION.

In the J/121 class, Joe Brito’s INCOGNITO won, followed by Peter Lewis’ Whistler team from Barbados in second, and Don Nicholson’s APOLLO in third position. One of the highlights of the week was the J/121 class reception hosted by Joe Brito for the five J/121 teams participating in the event; it was a family affair that was much enjoyed by all the owners (Peter Lewis, Don Nicholson, Greg & Sarah Manning) and crew.

In the eight-boat J/109 class, it was a classic “schooling” by the top team from Annapolis YC- Bill Sweetser’s crew on RUSH; posting seven 1sts and two 2nds to win by a significant margin.  Second was one of the strongest teams from Long Island Sound- Carl Olsson’s bright red MORNING GLORY; the only team to ultimately match Sweetser’s RUSH crew in the last four races, going “mano-a-mano” with them trading off 1sts and 2nds.  Third was Robert Schwartz’s very successful crew on NORDLYS.  Rounding out the top five was Tom Sutton’s Texas-based crew on another bright red boat- LEADING EDGE.  Fifth was Don Dwyer’s GUARDIAN J.

Matching the J/109 RUSH for best record (exactly) in the entire Block Island Race Week fleet was Mike Bruno’s crew on his J/88 WINGS from American YC in Long Island Sound, New York. While the WINGS crew eclipsed their fleet, it was a donnybrook for the balance of the podium over the course of the five days. In the end, it was the determined team on DEVIATION, skippered by Iris Vogel from Huguenot YC on Long Island Sound that took second place. DEVIATION posted their best record of the series on the last day with a 2-1 to take the daily class win. Third in the regatta was Bill Purdy’s WHIRLWIND. Like the J/121s, the J/88 crews enjoyed a wonderful fleet party hosted by Iris Vogel’s team at their house on the island.

While the 88s and 109s saw dominant fleet leaders, the J/105 class had an epic three-way battle for the top of the podium. As usual, it was a combination of luck, good tactics, speed, and Race Committee mistakes. Combined, it made for an interesting week for the leading teams. In the end, Paul Beaudin’s LOU LOU crew won in the final, epic battle in the last race to determine the class winner. Taking the short end of that stick was Bruce Stone & Nicole Breault’s GOOD TRADE, posting a 7th place to take 2nd. They won a tie-breaker on 33 pts over John & Marisa Koten’s GRAY MATTER. Rounding out the top five was Bill Zartler’s DEJA VOODOO in fourth and David Willis’ SOLUTION in fifth. Like their 88 and 121 counterparts, the J/105 class also enjoyed a large class get together on the island.

In the world of handicap racing, there were mixed results for some J/teams. In the PHRF 1 Division, Ken Comerford’s J/111 MONEYPENNY was one of the fleet leaders until their 6th race produced a 12 pts scoring penalty. As a result, the penalty torpedoed their chances for the class win, dropping from 2nd to 5th place in the end. Meanwhile, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s team on the J/111 FIREBALL had flashes of brilliance, posting finishes of 1-2-3-4-4, but their other results hurt their hopes for a podium finish, ending up in 4th place.

In the PHRF 2 Division, Rod Johnstone’s J/99 AGENT 99 managed a fourth place against remarkably tough competition.  Their highlight was Tuesday’s classic Around Island Race, winning the race boat-for-boat and correcting out to third place in the windy, foggy, rainy affair.

Not surprisingly, PHRF 3 class has been dominated by J/29s for decades. This time around, it was Jack McGuire’s DIRTY HARRY taking class honors over a past winner of the regatta, Steve Thurston’s MIGHTY PUFFIN.  John Cooper’s J/29 COOL BREEZE placed 4th.

The Pursuit Cruising 1 division saw Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE take the silver, with Len Sitar’s J/44 VAMP losing a tie-breaker for third place to settle for 4th place.

Two J/crews swept Pursuit Cruising 2 division, with G. John Krediet’s J/97 PARTICIPANT II winning class with Eric Bicknese’s J/105 BIG E.Z. taking the silver medal.

There was more good performances by J/29s in Performance Cruising 3 (non-spinnaker), with William Maher’s RIFT taking the bronze, while Peter Hilgendorff’s MEDDLER took 5th place. Sailing photo credits- "Block Island Steve"/ Stephen Cloutier. Follow Block Island Race Week on Facebook here  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Block Island Race Week Report

(Block Island, RI)- Nearly two hundred boats are sailing the 2019 Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week. So far, the island weather Gods are up to their usual tricks.  The first day was simply spectacular and most fleets completed four races.  However, a huge frontal system was rolling offshore during Tuesday’s Around the Island Race, making for a thunderous, memorable, wet, windy, cold race.  Wet, indeed, like nearly 2.0” of rain in 2 hours, that is a lot of rain.

Day One- Glorious Sailing
Bill Sweetser sported a broad smile as he stood in the stern of his boat that is berthed at Champlin’s Marina.

Sweetser could not have scripted a better start to Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, presented by Margaritaville. Monday’s wind conditions fell into the sweet spot of the Annapolis entry and the crew responded with a superb performance.

Sweetser steered RUSH to victory in all three races on the opening day of the regatta, taking early command of the J/109 class. Tactician Tom Babel made all the right calls while trimmers Brian Tyrrell (headsails), Mike Hobson (mainsail), and Bobby Brooks (offside) were on point.

“Sometimes you sail in conditions you feel very comfortable with and today certainly favored our boat and crew,” Sweetser said of the westerly winds that held relatively steady between 8 to 10 knots. “We just tend to do really well in light to moderate winds within the J/109 fleet. I know I drive better in those conditions.”

WINGS accomplished the same feat in the J/88 class with skipper Mike Bruno leading the Armonk, New York entry to straight bullets. Stuart Johnstone is calling tactics aboard WINGS, which is coming off a class victory at Sperry Charleston Race Week.

In the third one-design class, New York City residents John and Marisa Koten led GRAY MATTER to a solid score line of 3-3-2 to set the pace in J/105, which has attracted 16 entries. Sitting behind them just three points back are two pretty tough citizens; in second was Paul Beaudin’s LOU LOU and third is Bruce Stone & Nicole Breault’s GOOD TRADE.

There was equally tight racing in ORC 2 with TEAMWORK emerging as the leader after the opening day. Skipper Robin Team steered the J/122 to a 19-second victory over the J/121 INCOGNITO (Joe Brito) in Race 1 then finished second in Race 2. Race 3 for ORC 2 was tossed by organizers with Storm Trysail Club because the finish line mark dragged and caused confusion.

Tied atop the PHRF 1 class Ken Comerford’s J/111 MONEYPENNY from Annapolis, MD.  Sitting in fourth was another J/111, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL.

DIRTY HARRY, a J/29 skippered by Jack McGuire, made a strong statement in PHRF 3 by posting a pair of bullets separated by a second. MIGHTY PUFFIN, another J/29 owned by Steve Thurston, is five points behind.

“We were just dialed in all day. We were able to get off the line clean in all three starts and had great boat speed, great crew work,” McGuire said.

Six of seven crew members aboard DIRTY HARRY, including the owner, are products of the East Greenwich (RI) Yacht Club junior program. They were all coached at the time by John Mollicone, who is calling tactics for his former pupils.

Monday’s Pursuit Course was 12.5 nautical miles in length and took the fleet toward the southwest end of the island. After rounding a government mark, it was a pleasant spinnaker run back to the start-finish line just south of the Great Salt Pond. Taking 2nd in PHRF Cruising 1 Spinnaker division was Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE.  Then, the J/97E PARTICIPANT skippered by John Krediet topped Performance Cruising 2 while Eric Bicknese’s J/105 BIG E.Z. took the bronze position.

Day 2- Big Tuesday- Around Island
There are many traditions associated with Block Island Race Week. Sailors know to expect certain things over the course of the five-day event, which is why so many keep coming back.

One of the most revered traditions is the 21.5nm Around the Island Race, which is associated with Block Island Race Week as much as drinking Mudslides at the Oar or dancing to live music at Yellow Kittens.

With a building breeze forecast, on-water chairman Dick Neville delivered the regatta’s signature competition earlier than expected. There was some noticeable anxiety among sailors on the docks when Neville announced over the radio that North Sails Day would feature the Around the Island Race.

That news prompted a thorough review of the forecast with navigators, tacticians and strategists now processing that information through the lens of a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Block Island; those discussions were no doubt held aboard all 122 boats competing. Doing a 20-nautical mile distance race that pretty much completes a circle is a vastly different undertaking than windward-leeward action around the buoys.

Organizers with Storm Trysail Club had initially pegged the distance race for Thursday, but Neville switched gears after reviewing updated forecasts that showed the wind getting lighter later in the week.

“We always want to do the Around the Island Race on the breeziest day of the week and the way the forecast shaped up that was today,” Neville said. “We knew it would be rainy, but fortunately there was very little thunder and lightning, while the squalls were manageable.”

Storm Trysail Club held a fourth windward-leeward race prior to sending the entire fleet of 13 classes around the island. Winning both races on Tuesday in the J/88 class was Mike Bruno’s WINGS. Stu Johnstone is calling tactics aboard WINGS, which has won all five races held over two days and has already built an eight-point lead in J/88 class.

“Our boat is incredibly well-prepared and we tend to be good in breezy conditions. We have a very strong, experienced crew so it’s really the whole package,” said Bruno, who is coming off a class victory at Charleston Race Week. “We still have two more days of racing to go, but we’re certainly happy with the way we have started.”

Robin Team and his J/122 TEAMWORK mates headed straight to The Oar for bowls of steaming hot clam chowder upon returning to the dock. Team then went home and “stood under a hot shower for about 30 minutes.”

Despite the discomfort of being soaked in rain water for so long, it was a rewarding day on the water for TEAMWORK, which placed second in the buoy racing then won the Around the Island Race to maintain the overall lead in ORC 2.

“It was a really tactical race that was very well-run by the Storm Trysail Club. We had a lot of fun out there today,” Team said. “It was equal amounts of upwind, downwind and reaching. Some conditions suited some boats in our class better than others, which made things fun and interesting.”

Tactician Jonathan Bartlett had set a goal of having TEAMWORK win the Around the Island Race in both the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta and Block Island Race Week, and it was mission accomplished on that count. The J/122 now leads by two points

GOOD TRADE is the defending champion in J/105 class, but got off to a slow start. GRAY MATTER, owned by John and Marisa Koten, led after Day 1. However, the husband-wife team of helmsman Bruce Stone and tactician Nicole Breault showed their chops on Tuesday with a runner-up result in the buoy race followed by victory in the Around the Island Race.

“We’re very happy we got the wheels going in tough conditions,” Stone said. “This is the toughest J/105 fleet we’ve faced at Block Island. There are a lot of good boats and sailors here.”

GOOD TRADE took the lead on the opening beat and held off the competition the rest of the way, crossing comfortably ahead of LOU LOU (Paul Beaudin) in the Around Island Race.

“One of key things we did in the race was called for a tack to starboard. We went a little farther right than any of the other boats and got into pressure, but stayed far enough left to get island relief from the adverse current,” Breault said. “Bruce really got into the groove driving and our speed was fantastic. We just punched out.”  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

STC Block Island Race week Preview

(Block Island, RI)- One of the highlights of summer sailing in northeast America is Storm Trysail Club’s bi-annual bacchanalian sailing festival known as Block Island Race Week. Sailing from June 23rd to 29th, thousands of sailors migrate to the beautiful island five miles offshore of Rhode Island.  It’s a bit of a pilgrimage for many sailors, some are veterans of more than two dozen BIRW’s; it’s a time to reconnect with old friends, a time to relax and socialize with hundreds of other sailors, enjoy the camaraderie of a shared love for the water, for sailing and for celebrations.

The fleet of 125 boats has 57 J/Teams sailing, by far the dominant brand at the event with nearly half the fleet- 46.0% of the total. There are one-design fleets of J/88s, J/105s, and J/109s, plus teams sailing in ORC and PHRF handicap fleets.

There are a half-dozen J/88s with a number of top crews that should be in the hunt, such as Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION, Justin Scagnelli’s ALBONDIGAS, Laura Weyler’s HIJINKS, and Mike Bruno’s WINGS.

As the largest class in the event, the sixteen-boat J/105 Class has many top Eastern teams ready to do battle leading up to their J/105 North Americans later in the summer off Marblehead, MA. Bruce Stone, together with his wife Nicole Breault, co-own J/105 GOOD TRADE and will be seeking to defend their title as best in fleet and best overall performance at Block Island Race Week. The J/105s will be one of the most competitive fleets at Block Island, with top amateur teams like JINX (Bob Taylor is a past J/105 NA champion) and DEJA VOODOO (Bill Zartler from Texas has been J/105 Midwinters Champion). Then, top pro sailors that own and skipper their boats will certainly be near the top of the leaderboard; such as LOU LOU (sailmaker Paul Beaudin), SOLUTION (David Willis), and RAVEN (David Barron); the latter two own boat yards and their boats are super well-prepped.

J/109s have eight teams participating, such at Tom Sutton’s LEADING EDGE, Carl Olsson’s MORNING GLORY, Robert Schwartz’s NORDLYS, and Bill Sweetser’s RUSH.  These four boats, in particular, have all won major J/109 championships in one way or another.

The thirteen-boat PHRF 1 Class has seven J/crews; including five J/111s (Andrew & Sedge Ward’s BRAVO, Greg Slamowitz’s MANITOU, USMMA’s BLACK DIAMOND, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL, & Ken Comerford’s MONEYPENNY), Dan Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE, and Skip Young’s J/133 DRAGONFLY.

Racing in the eleven-boat PHRF 2 Class will be the new J/99 AGENT 99 skippered by Rod and Jeff Johnstone from Stonington, CT.

Not surprisingly, the fourteen-boat PHRF 3 Class will again see the famous battles from yesteryear between a number of very-well sailed J/29s. The protagonist? You guessed it.  The infamous HUSTLER sailed by John Esposito. The other three J/29s are Jack McGuire’s DIRTY HARRY, Steve Thurston’s MIGHTY PUFFIN, and John Cooper’s COOL BREEZE. Hoping to give them a challenge will be Sam Cushing’s J/80 THE PARTY TREE and John & Corinne Foster’s J/92 SALTIRE.

Six J/Teams are sailing in ORC 2 Class.  Those teams include four J/121s (Don Nicholson’s APOLLO, Greg & Sarah Manning’s SARAH, Joe Brito’s INCOGNITO, & Peter Lewis’ WHISTLER) and two J/122s (Paul Milo’s ORION and the Team family (Robin, Alston Colman) on TEAMWORK.

In the nine-boat Performance Cruising 1 Class are two J/120s (Charles Murphy’s TRUANT and Karen Harris’ CYGNI) and Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE. In the nine-boat Performance Cruising 2 Class are Richard Eytel’s J/95 THE GRIN and John Krediet’s J/97 PARTICIPANT II. While four J/29s will be doing battle in PHRF 3, two J/29s will be dueling in Performance Cruising 3 Class (Peter Hilgendorff’s MEDDLER and William Maher’s RIFT. Finally, in the PHRF Plus 1 Class, Eric Bicknese’s J/105 BIG E.Z. will be taking on a host of other short-handed teams.  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Fast Block Island Race

 
(Stamford, CT)- The Memorial Day weekend classic offshore race for Northeast sailors is Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race. The event is an 186.0nm race from Stamford, east down Long Island Sound, out around Block Island and back to the finish off Stamford.  The race started on Friday, May 24th at 1400 hrs and most boats finished before midnight on Saturday evening, that meant the boats lapped the race track in about 30 to 33 hours, an average of 5.6+ kts (a strong current influenced figure).

According to a J/121 CRESCENT IV team member, "from the start to The Race, the wind was good, a north strong wind (sometimes over 20 knots). Then, the wind goes down and we did a lots of tacking to make an approach to Block Island. Firstly, we try to get a breeze in the north part (close to the Block Island), but then, we decided to take the south side of the course, since the wind would gradually shift to the left hand side (a southerly shift). Between Block Island and The Gut, we picked a zephyr thermal and approached the Plum Island Gut. Then, the wind stopped again, 0 knots!! Only the 2 knot current pushed us westward through The Gut. Then, after we passed The Gut, and the wind picked up to 15-18 knots (south wind), we took off on a fast reach to the finish."

Racing the Block Island course were a dozen larger J’s.  In IRC 2 Class, Len Sitar’s J/44 VAMP finished fourth.

In the IRC 3 Class, Dale & Michael McIvor’s J/133 MATADOR took third place, followed by Akimatsu Hirai’s J/121 CRESCENT IV (Japan) in fifth place.
 
The PHRF 3 Class had two J/105s, winning was Frank Conway’s RAPTOR and the American YC Youth team- the Young American’s took second place.

The PHRF 5 Class saw J/Crews take 4 of the top 6 spots. Top banana was Jeff Warren’s J/109 ARIEL getting the silver.  Then, John Greifzu’s J/109 GROWTH SPURT placed 4th, Arthur Hanlon’s J/112E DAUNTLESS in 5th, and Mark Nannini’s J/120 SALACIA in 6th.

The PHRF 7 Class was dominated by J/111s. Top dog was Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL, taking the silver. Joining them on the podium was John Donovan’s LIBERTAS. Then, rounding out the top five was US Merchant Marine’s BLACK DIAMOND YCC skippered by Alex Mueller in 4th and Abhijeet Lele’s VARUNA that took 5th place.

Finally, the PHRF 8 Class had Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE fly around the race track in 31 hours, missing their class win by a mere 13 minutes.  For more Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race sailing information-  Entries/ scores   Race site

STC Block Island Race Preview

(Stamford, CT)- The second major Memorial/ Bank holiday offshore race to start is a classic for Northeast sailors in America.  Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race is a 186.0nm race from Stamford, east down Long Island Sound, out around Block Island and back to the finish off Stamford.  The race starts on Friday, May 24th at 1400 hrs, with IRC 1 class first away.

Racing the Block Island course are over a dozen larger J’s.  In IRC 2 Class are two J/44s (Len Sitar’s VAMP and the US Coast Guard Academy’s team). The IRC 3 Class has two J/121s (Steven Levy’s EAGLE and Akimatsu Hirai’s CRESCENT IV from Japan) and Dale & Michael McIvor’s J/133 MATADOR. The PHRF 3 Class has two J/105s; Frank Conway’s RAPTOR and the American YC Youth team- the Young American’s. In PHRF 5 Class are two J/109s (Jeffrey Warren’s ARIEL and John Greifzu’s GROWTH SPURT), Arthur Hanlon’s J/112E DAUNTLESS, and Mark Nannini’s J/120 SALACIA. The PHRF 7 Class is virtually all J/111s, including John Donovan’s LIBERTAS, Abhijeet Lele’s VARUNA, US Merchant Marine’s BLACK DIAMOND YCC skippered by Alex Mueller, and Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL. Finally, the PHRF 8 Class has Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE.

Sailing the shorter Plum Island Course of 125.0nm in PHRF 4 Class is the US Merchant Marine Academy’s J/88 YONDER YCC, skippered by Jack Stancil.  For more Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race sailing information.  Entries/ scores.   Race site. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

STC Block Island Race Week Update

(Block Island, Rhode Island)- The Storm Trysail Club’s Vice Commodore & the Block Island Race Week Event Chair, Ed Cesare, stated, “preparations are well underway for Storm Trysail’s Block Island Race Week 2019. With format developments both on and off the water, the 28th edition of the biennial event promises not only a high level of windward / leeward competition for those that seek it, but an equally spirited but more relaxed experience for teams that want to both race hard and enjoy other aspects of the week as well."

IRC and ORC yachts on the “Red Circle” will experience “Solent Style” racing with one or two windward /leeward races, followed by a race around drop and government marks.  This format tests different tactical and boathandling skills and reflect the racing at Cowes Week, the progenitor for Block Island Race Week. We expect a number of IRC boats from the UK to be at the event, so they should feel right at home.

A third on the water development is the “Plus One” division.  Designed to reduce crew logistics for owners with busy schedules, the Plus One concept promotes “right sized” crews by allowing one crew member per 10 feet of waterline of the yacht “plus one” more. We’ve found that jibes always go better offshore with one watch below, so don’t be surprised to see some crisp boat handling on this course, notwithstanding the need for fewer sandwiches and bunks (ashore or afloat)!

Of course, one-design classes such as the J/105s and J/88s will hold Championship Regattas and the PHRF Fleet can expect Storm Trysail’s usually high level of race management where full boar windward / leeward duals will unfold.

Ashore, we are bringing back the lay-day! 
The specific day will float based on weather but there will be one.  The Young Member’s Committee, led by Erick Stork and Will Gammell, are planning a full slate of events in cooperation with sponsors Musto clothing and North Sails.  Look for more on this in the coming weeks, such as fun team competitions (to include the traditional tug of war) along with more relaxed activities (think Niki Beach, for those that know! It will provide a well-deserved day of fun for all.  Additionally, this year the tent will be open right after racing, so crews can gather for social time before heading back to their house for dinner.”  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

2019 Block Island Race Week Announcement!

(Block Island, RI)- The 28th Edition of the famed Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week will take place from June 23rd to 28th, 2019.  The STC Committee expects 150 boats and the number of racing formats has been expanded to attract an even wider array of yachts; ranging from Grand Prix teams to family-friendly cruising boats. Besides the usual Windward/Leeward racing, there will be Pursuit-start and ‘Solent-Style’ racing formats, too.

IRC, ORC and PHRF are returning, as one might expect. In addition, an exciting, new, innovative format will be introduced– “Plus+1”.  Plus+1 allows the crew to be one person larger than the first digit of hull-length. (30-39’= 4 crew, 40–49’= 5 crew, etc.) Plus+1 fills a sweet spot between double-handing and fully crewed racing, lowering costs and the need for crew. The Plus+1 class will be sailing a windward/ leeward course in the morning and a “random-leg” race around government marks in the afternoon. They will also do the famous Around the Island Race on the day the whole fleet goes around.

A spring schedule of Plus+1 Races is coming together and the first event will be the American Yacht Club Spring Series (April 27, 28 and May 4, 5) where the group will sail courses around government marks. The second race is the Edlu Trophy (May 11), which is a short distance race that goes east 16 miles, rounds a mark and returns to the finish. The third event is the 186-mile Block Island Race (May 24) that goes from Stamford, Ct., around Block Island and the back to Stamford. The last scheduled Plus+1 regatta will be Block Island Race Week.

7 Reasons To Sail Plus+1:

1. Easier to find enough crew. Reduces the time e-mailing and calling.
2. Everyone on the boat has a lot of jobs to do. No bored rail meat.
3. It's safer. If someone gets hurt or goes overboard, two or more people can help.
4. Teams can sail in a broader range of events; windward/ leewards, race around government marks, and classic distance races.
5. Saves money. Fewer lunches and fewer post-race cocktails to buy. Rent a smaller house!
6. Makes your boat better for cruising. Setup to be handled by less people, better for couple cruising
7. Sail with your friends, not your friends’ friend.

Over time, J/Sailors have been big supporters of their favorite summer race week on the East Coast.  Starting in 1977, the J/24 sailed against the best the MORC Class had to offer and won by a significant margin.  The rest, as they say, was history. Having started an “instant legacy”, droves of J/24s, then J/30s, J/35s, J/29s, and J/44s up to the recent offshore sprit machines like the J/105, J/109, J/111, J/88, J/122, J/120, and the new J/121, will continue to expand on that legacy of J/Boats participation across the board.

So far, twenty-three J/Teams have signed up for PHRF, ORC, and one-design racing (J/88, J/105, J/109). Will the EVERETT B. MORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY Winner (emblematic of the Overall Winner of BIRW)- the J/105 GOOD TRADE (sailed by Bruce Stone, Nicole Breault, Marc Acheson, Bill Higgins, John Sahagian, and Casey Williams)- repeat their performance from 2017? You will need to go sailing to find out!  Come one, come all, it’s an amazing event run by crackerjack Race Committees and PRO’s organized by the Storm Trysail BIRW Committee. Sailing Photo Credit- Alan Clark/ PhotoBoat.com.   For more Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Block Island Race Week Update

(Block Island, RI)- The Duck Island Yacht Club in Westbrook, Connecticut and the Block Island Yacht Club have teamed up to co-host Block Island Race Week 2018. The event will feature five days of racing (2 per day) on Block Island Sound June 17th to the 22nd.

In a “Bermuda Race” year, the event has always been much more laid back with a smaller fleet of boats.  Nevertheless, the camaraderie is proportionately greater as everyone seems to know everyone sailing in the regatta.  That quaintness, in fact, serves as its appeal for many sailors that simply want a relaxing “sailing vacation.”

A number of J/crews have answered that call of competitive, but laid-back random leg races, not all that windward-leeward, rest, rinse, repeat, again and again in monotonous fashion kind of stuff.  This year’s DIYC and BIYC PRO’s have promised to make it fun, easy, and not too many sets and takedowns each day!  In the PHRF Spinnaker division, a total of eight boats are sailing, half of it J/teams.  Three J/111s are racing; Sedge & Andy Ward’s BRAVO, Greg Slamowitz’s MANITOU, and Kenn Fischburg’s WILD CHILD.  Joining them is a very fast J/29, John Hammel’s appropriately named SLEEPER from Noroton YC. Sailing in the PHRF Non-Spin Class is Peter Hilgendorff’s J/29 MEDDLER. Should be fun!   BIRW Sailing results here   For more Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Block Island Race Week Preview

(Block Island, RI)- The Duck Island Yacht Club in Westbrook, Connecticut and the Block Island Yacht Club have teamed up to co-host Block Island Race Week 2018. The event will feature five days of racing (2 per day) on Block Island Sound June 17th to the 22nd.

In a “Bermuda Race” year, the event has always been much more laid back with a smaller fleet of boats.  Nevertheless, the camaraderie is proportionately greater as everyone seems to know everyone sailing in the regatta.  That quaintness, in fact, serves as its appeal for many sailors that simply want a relaxing “sailing vacation.”

A number of J/crews have answered that call of competitive, but laid-back random leg races, not all that windward-leeward, rest, rinse, repeat, again and again in monotonous fashion kind of stuff.  This year’s DIYC and BIYC PRO’s have promised to make it fun, easy, and not too many sets and takedowns each day!  In the PHRF Spinnaker division, a total of eight boats are sailing, half of it J/teams.  Three J/111s are racing; Sedge & Andy Ward’s BRAVO, Greg Slamowitz’s MANITOU, and Kenn Fischburg’s WILD CHILD.  Joining them is a very fast J/29, John Hammel’s appropriately named SLEEPER from Noroton YC. Sailing in the PHRF Non-Spin Class is Peter Hilgendorff’s J/29 MEDDLER. Should be fun!  For more Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Crews Dominate STC Block Island Race

J/44 KENAI Tops IRC, J/105 & J/120 Top PHRF Classes
(Larchmont, NY)- The Memorial Day classic for Long Island Sound sailors, the 186nm Block Island Race, started on Friday afternoon with a parade of spinnakers off the starting line in a fresh 15-20 kts southwest breeze.  Hosted by the Storm Trysail Club, the event drew eighty-five boats, seventeen of them J/Crews (20% of the fleet) from New York, Connecticut, Texas, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

It was a dominating performance for some of the J/teams entered in the race.  First J/Boat to finish was Chris Lewis’ J/44 KENAI at 16:06:30 Saturday afternoon, not only winning IRC 3 Class, but being awarded the Harvey Conover Memorial Overall Trophy for the “Best Overall Performance” by the Storm Trysail Club Flag and Race officers.  Their team led a near sweep of the top five in class.  Following them in third was Jack Gregg’s J/122 TARAHUMARA, fourth was Len Sitar’s J/44 VAMP, and fifth was John Donovan’s J/111 LIBERTAS.

In IRC 4 Class, Dale and Mike McIvor’s J/133 MATADOR finished fifth.  And, in IRC 5 Class, Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE took fourth.

In PHRF 3 and PHRF 5 classes, Frank Conway’s J/105 RAPTOR and Rick Oricchio’s J/120 ROCKET SCIENCE both won their respective classes and also finished 1-2 overall!  Then, in PHRF 5 Class, Brian Spears’ J/120 MADISON took third and Bill Ingraham’s J/124 TENEBRAE finished fourth.

At the prize-giving, hosted by Storm Trysail Club at Stamford YC, Commodore Len Sitar (J/44 sailor) held a moment of silence in remembrance of America’s fallen heroes who fought for the freedoms Americans now enjoy. Afterwards, Chris Lewis (owner of the J/44 KENAI) explained how they achieved their epic performance:

“This was our earliest finish ever. We are used to creeping in at night with no breeze. Generally, the rich got richer in this race as the fastest boats finished in pressure; especially the TP52 Spookie that finished at 9:05 am. We had 15 miles of very light pressure to the finish line in the late afternoon.

The race started in a fresh southwest breeze blowing 15-20 kts. The broad reach turned into a power reach halfway to The Race at the eastern end of Long Island Sound. We went from the A2 to A3 asymmetric. Some went to their Code Zeros or flying jibs.

We exited at the southern edge of the Races in a strong ebb tide, hitting 12-15 knots under A3 and staysail at 130 TWA and 18-24 TWS.

After a run to the “1-BI” red bell turning mark off the northern end of Block Island in 8-12 knots and sloppy seas, the tough part of the race began. 25 knots from the SW was reported at the Block Island airstrip, so we set a heavy #1 and soon saw cold 20 knot blasts. After a bare-headed change to a #3 and reefed main (still managing 9 kts under main only with 6 crew on the bow), we executed well around the south side of the island with all crew on the rail until we got back into the Sound through Plum Gut. With the J/125 SCEPTRE next to us and the J/133 MATADOR behind, we worked the Long Island shore, passing an XP44 (the Bermuda Race winner) with a light #1 and finally crossing Long Island Sound during midday to the Connecticut shore to pick up any afternoon thermal breeze.

For us, the key to race was the power of a modified J/44 (1.5m fixed sprit) with a 144 sq. meter 1.3oz A3 for the last 20 miles before exiting the Sound. Then, we had excellent crew work to change gears on the backside of Block Island. We were overtaking faster over canvassed boats in 20-25 knots of breeze on the wind. Finally, the 145% light #1 gave us the power needed coming up the Sound that other boats didn’t seem to have- - remember, we do have to move a lot of furniture on our J/44!!”
For more Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.