2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta recap

2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta © American Yacht Club

The 2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta wrapped up 3 solid days of sailing on May 3-5, with the Friday coastal race leading into the weekend's mix of windward-leeward and coastal courses.

On Friday, May 3rd, 5 classes (ORC, PHRF 1-3, and PHRF Non-Spinnaker) hit the starting line. PRO Nick Everett set up 3 courses ranging from 9.5nm to 18.5nm. The sailors finished off the day in full sunshine, hanging out on the club lawn with a band and complimentary food.

Drew Fung, of the J/100 Freedom, noted: "The J/100 fleet had a terrific Spring Regatta with spirited competition all three days. Our Friday double-handed Coastal Cruising race was a blast, in addition to being quite a workout given the terrific breeze and course the Race Committee gave us."

Saturday brought consistent ENE winds in the 10 to 18 knot range, while Sunday was shiftier with an easterly bending to the south, with wind ranging between 7 and 14 knots across various parts of the Sound. On the East Course, PRO David Barton got in 4 races running windward-leewards in 3 different classes (J/44, J/105, ORC). South Course PRO Nick Everett kicked off the 4 class coastal race with a downwind start to keep things interesting.

While Sunday was supposed to be cold and wet, the rain held off and the sailors got off 3 races on the East course and 1 race for the coastal classes, including a reach leg where the sailors had a chance to break out their code-zeros.

Asked for his take on the coastal racing, Byte's Robert Alexander said, "The courses were interesting and the length was just right," adding that he would love to see an ORC option next year.

After racing every day, the sailors kicked back to food and music, catching up and sharing tips and anecdotes from the day. As Race Committee Chair Barry Gold put it, "It was like the old days with lots of people staying late to enjoy each others' company at the club, even after a hard day of work on the water.

Event Chair Erik Asgeirsson summed up the regatta: "We had a fantastic three days of racing and shoreside festivities. Our three-day dual event format, now in its second year, continues to receive a lot of positive feedback. Finally, we also greatly appreciated the increased involvement of the AYC Spring Regatta Sponsors."

May 3rd (Friday) Coastal Race
Best Overall: Zammermoos

ORC Division
First: Zammermoos
Second: Christopher Dragon XII
Third: Gemini II

PHRF 1
First: Acadia
Second: Cougar
Third: After Midnight

PHRF 2
First: Velocity2
Second: Growth Spurt
Third: Agent 99

PHRF 3
First: Quintessence
Second: Yankee Boy
Third: loulou

PHRF Non-Spinnaker
First: Bluefin (doublehanded)
Second: Liberty (doublehanded)
Third: Freedom (doublehanded)

May 4-5 (Weekend) Results
1888 Trophy (best overall level racing): Maxine
Edward Richards Trophy (best overall ORC): The ROCC
Rampant Trophy (best overall PHRF): Hamburg II

J/44 One-Design
First: Maxine
Second: Palantir 5
Third: Beagle

J/105 One-Design
First: Solution
Second: loulou
Third: Gray Matter

ORC Windward-Leeward
First: The ROCC
Second: Christopher Dragon XII
Third: Zammermoos

Coastal PHRF 1
First: Acadia
Second: After Midnight
Third: Cougar

Coastal PHRF 2
First: Hamburg II
Second: Tenebrae
Third: Charlotte

Coastal PHRF 3
First: Velocity 2
Second: Yankee Boy
Third: Easy Red

Coastal Non-Spinnaker
First: Bluefin
Second: Saltire
Third: Liberty