J/70 Debuts with
Largest Fleet Ever!(Annapolis, MD)- With 211 boats participating in this year's Sperry Topsider Annapolis NOOD Regatta, it promises to be quite the "class reunion" for many J sailors across eastern America. Why? For the simple fact that 156 boats are J/Teams (74% of the whole fleet) competing in eight J one-design classes (J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80, J/30, J/105, J/35, J/109)! In other words, for the few boats that comprise the six other classes (average of less than 10 boats per fleet) it may be a tad overwhelming to have nearly a thousand J Sailors criss-crossing the northern Chesapeake Bay and flooding the evening tent parties sponsored by Mt Gay Rum and other enthusiastic sponsors!
Leading
the charge again are the J/70s-- setting a record fourth regatta debut as the
largest one-design class. At forty-eight boats (Key West, St Pete NOOD and
Charleston already in the books), the J/70 has completely eclipsed all
attendance records for any sportboat worldwide in inaugural regattas since
sprit-boats first exploded onto the sailing scene with the J/105 in 1991. The
J/70 fleet is on a rapid learning curve and based on performances at past
events, it's clear as mud who will be regatta leaders after the dust settles in
the latest 70 battles. Perhaps most importantly, it was self-evident,
based on the huge "can't wipe the grin off my face" smiles after the
epic first day at Charleston in 15-30 kts of breeze, all J/70 sailors were
having a rip-roaring great time sailing their boats!After four regattas, the betting will on a number of leading teams that will be seen somewhere at the top of the leader board for the 70s. Included in that group may be Tim Healey's HELLY HANSEN, Joel Ronning's CATAPULT, Brian Elliott's B-SQUARED, Bob Hughes on MUSE/ HEARTBREAKER, Bennet Greenwald's PERSEVERANCE, Henry Brauer/ Will Welles' RASCAL, Jud Smith's RELATIVE OBSCURITY, Peter Vessella's RUNNING WILD, Bruno Pasquinelli's STAMPEDE, Henry Filter's WILD CHILD and a cast of local characters each of whom are capable of good performances, like Peter McChesney's TROUBLE, Tate Russack's DIESEL, and Cole Allsopp's MOXIE.
Next up are the J/22's with an
excellent showing with twenty-eight boats (second largest J fleet). They
will be vying for class honors bragging rights, as well as getting great
practice for their J/22 World Championships that will be taking place in
Newport, RI later this summer. For those familiar with teams that faired
well in Charleston some weeks ago, it's clear that Chris Doyle and his
"JUG 4 1" gang from Rochester, New York will be the ones to beat.
Giving them serious heartache will be a rogue's roost of J/22 veterans,
including Allan "Albie" Terhune on DAZZLER, Kurt Swanson on
SLINGSHOT, Vic Snyder on MO'MONEY, Jeff Todd on HOT TODDY, super hot sailor
chick Sandy Adzick on HOT TICKET, Mark Hillman on HAROLD GOES SKA and perhaps
newcomer "gurl-stud" Jen Gaffney on PIRATE PRINCESS RACING TEAM.
Amongst this crowd, anything goes, as it always has been!
With the third largest J fleet, the
J/80's sailing with 23 boats are fielding a very competitive fleet. Like
their J/22 sisters, for some American teams, the event provides great practice
for J/80 Worlds in Marseilles, France. Amongst those teams, look for Brian
Keane's SAVASANA and the Danish family team- Thomas Klok and the Crumps (Will
and Marie) on their boat R80 to be amongst the top teams. Some other
notable veterans in the mix will be Kristen Robinson's ANGRY CHAMELEON, Chris &
Liz Chadwick's CHURCH KEY, Ken Mangano's MANGO and Ramzi Bannura's STACKED
DECK.The J/105's have a strong showing of an "all Naptown" fleet of eighteen boats and amongst them are some champion teams from past Chesapeake Bay and North American regattas. Sure to figure in the running for overall honors will be a cross-section of the old guard and some new faces, including Bob Reeves on A-TRAIN, Andrew Kennedy on BAT IV, Gerritt Schulze on MAX POWER, Jack Biddle on the infamous RUM PUPPY, Donald Santa on SANTA's REIGN-DEAR (for real!) and Scott Gitchell on TENACIOUS.
At
fifteen strong, the J/24's are probably now on their fifth generation of owners
and the competition simply does not diminish as the next-gen teams hop in,
learn fast from the veterans, and simply continue to advance the ball in one of
the world's most evenly-matched and competitive ISAF one-design keelboat
classes. Remarkably, one of the most competitive veterans (now working on
his 4th decade!) happens to be a highly respected, most knowledgeable local
J/24 sailor- Tony Parker sailing BANGOR PACKET! He will be challenged by
some "newbies" and some old guard teams, amongst them could be Mike
Marshall from Conanicut YC, Jack van Dalen's ARNOLD GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, Pat
Fitzgerald's RUSH HOUR, Mike Hobson's SPACEMAN SPIFF, and Frank McNamara's ZOT.For the J/109's seven boat class, the event represents their J/109 Mid-Atlantic Championship! J/109 Fleet 4 provides great hospitality under the leadership of Fleet Captain Bill Sweetser and his gang aboard the famous RUSH! Assisting him is 109 class leader Bob Schwartz on NORDLYS from Manhasset YC and the Western Long Island Sound fleet of J/109s. With many new faces showing up in the 109 class, it's perhaps one of the most difficult classes for general prognostication, other than the obvious- Bill and Bob! Yet, any omniscient observer of this class will tell you there's always some new surprises in store for these veterans. More news soon on the outcome!
At ten boats, it's pretty clear the J/30s have not only achieved "classic" status, but perhaps "legendary" status, too. The first quintessential cruiser-racer J built in the early 1980s (some might argue it was the J/24-- not!). Nevertheless, the Chesapeake crew of 30s are having some fun, that's for sure. And, the NOOD is an annual reunion of like-minded 30 owners who LOVE their boats and it shows-- some look better than new! TEN BOATS! Amazing. Well, let's see if the "gurl-boats" have it this year (as owners or co-owners)! Included amongst the girl teams are Pam Morris' BUMP, Michel's LEAPFROG, Kathleen's MARY LOU and Sheila's INFECTIOUS SMILE! So guys, that's a "four-way" that may crush you this weekend, girls's may rule sooner than anyone imagines!
Finally, the J/35s. Like their "classic" sisterships (at minimum the J/24 and J/30), they were the second derivative of another boat that was incredibly successful (the J/36) in the early 1980s. With seven boats, the J/35s continue to show their offshore performance worldwide is not just legendary, but fun, too! One of the more famous boats participating is AUNT JEAN sailed by the Sagerholm/ Christofel team. But, BAD COMPANY, MAGGIE and MEDICINE MAN won't be far from the limelight. Plus, like her J/30 sisturz' the 35s could be facing an insurrection from Stephanie Reuer on DAKOTA GIRL! Watch out, some sparklers may be flying in this rather diverse group of sailors. Sailing photo credits- Onne Vanderwal and Meredith Block/ Charleston Race Week. For more Sperry Topsider Annapolis NOOD Sailing Regatta sailing information
