J domination at American YC Spring Regatta!

2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta © American Yacht Club

The 2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta wrapped up three 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. The regatta featured one-design class racing for J/99s, J/105s, J/100s, and J/44s, plus offshore handicap racing in ORC and PHRF classes.

Friday Coastal Race

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.

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."

The principal trophies were all won by J/Teams:

• 1888 Trophy (best overall level racing): J/44 MAXINE
• Edward Richards Trophy (best overall ORC): J/112E The ROCC
• Rampant Trophy (best overall PHRF): J/46 HAMBURG II

J/44 One-Design

Winning the J/44 class was Bill Ketcham's MAXINE with 10 pts net. Battling hard to keep up with them was the women duo of June & Amanda Kendrick's PALANTIR 5, taking the silver medal with 12 pts net. Then, rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Willets Meyer's BEAGLE.

J/105 One-Design

The competitive J/105 class saw Dave Willis's SOLUTION win counting only bullets (4) and deuces (3) for 8 pts net. Chasing them hard, but not having much luck, was Paul Beaudin's LOU LOU who ended up taking the silver medal with 11 pts net. Then, hopping on the third step of the podium for the bronze medal was John & Marisa Koten's GRAY MATTER with 15 pts net.

J/99 One-Design

For the first time, the J/99s on Long Island Sound held their first major one-design event. Winning was Kevin Marks's VELOCITY 2, followed by Todd Aven's THIN MAN in second, and Ray Warner & Jeff Johnstone's AGENT 99 in third place.

ORC Windward-Leeward Division

Winning the ten-boat ORC fleet was Al Minella's very well-sailed J/122E THE ROCC. They posted an impressive two bullets and four deuces to handily win with 10-points net.

Coastal PHRF 1

The big boat PHRF 1 division was comprised of eleven boats from 38 to 50 feet. Winning class in a repeat performance was Erik Asgeirsson & Tom Stokes's gorgeous J/45 ACADIA. Then, Len Sitar's magnificent J/160 COUGAR took the bronze medal, while Steve Brownlie's J/133 ASSARAIN IV ended up in fourth place.

Coastal PHRF 2

The eight-boat PHRF 2 division saw a sweep by all three J/Teams entered. Winning was Albrecht Goethe's pretty red J/46 HAMBURG II. They were followed by Bill Ingraham's gorgeous blue J/124 TENEBRAE in second and Rick West's J/120 CHARLOTTE in third place.

Coastal PHRF 3

The dozen-boats PHRF 3 division was dominated by Kevin Marks's J/99 VELOCITY 2 with a 1-2 for 3 pts. Third place went to JC Zucconi & Jim Townsend's J/92 EASY RED. Rounding out the top five was Todd Aven's J/99 THIN MAN in fourth place and John Greifzu's J/109 GROWTH SPURT in fifth place.

Coastal Non-Spinnaker

The PHRF Non-Spin division of nine boats was yet another sweep my J/Crews... all J/100s! Winning was the trio of Tom Boyle, Bob Clyatt, and Doug McKiiege on BLUEFIN with double bullets. Similarly, taking the silver medal with double deuces was John & Corinne Foster's SALTIRE. Then, repeating that math with double treys was Bill Hennes's LIBERTY to take the bronze!

For more American YC Spring Series sailing information.