2022 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta - Day 1 and 2
by American Yacht Club 30 Apr 2022 19:00 BST
23 April - 1 May 2022
2022 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta © American Yacht Club
The long winter wait is finally over and the 43rd annual American Yacht Club Spring Regatta kicked off the sailing season with 45 boats in competition. Light air frustrated sailors Saturday afternoon, while Sunday provided more than ample winds.
In the J/44 One Design class, AYC Commodore Thomas Blackwell aboard Breakaway described a "cat and mouse" with Commodore William Ketcham's Maxine in a tight race that saw Maxine claiming first by Sunday's close, in what could set up a thrilling finish this coming weekend.
Other key performances included NEKA Sailing's Desperado (Coastal PHRF), John Greifzu, Jr.'s Growth Spurt (J/109 One Design), and leading both days was Solution (J/105 One Design), manned by David Willis.
With another strong AYC flag officer performance, byte (Coastal PHRF) leapt into the lead on Sunday. Commodore Libby Alexander said: "Great race committee work both days on the east course. Saturday's race was shortened at the first mark and turned into a crapshoot with the wind dying and then puffs coming from all directions. Sunday's race was just the opposite, full on with 18-22 knots of breeze, the wind against current and big waves. Byte likes big breeze and Sunday she did not disappoint. Although we were sailing double-handed against fully crewed boats, we have sailed in those conditions often and did not feel disadvantaged. We are looking forward to next weekend and hoping for wind."
For the final weekend, Commodore Andy Giglia, performing race committee duties remarked that he is "looking for more moderate breezes where the boats are able to make their way around the course more strategically, as opposed to relying on seamanship just to hold things together."?
The post-race parties were held on the picturesque AYC flagpole lawn, where participants enjoyed beer, sparkling rosé, and snacks to satisfy well-earned appetites, with Saturday featuring live steel-drum music.
The second half of the Spring Regatta will be held on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. The wrap-up party and awards ceremony will be rocking with lawn games and the live music of Cover Story.
Event details can be found at yachtscoring.com
Results: (top 3 in each class)
J44 (One Design - 5 Boats)
1. Maxine, J/44 44.9, William Ketcham, Greenwich, CT, USA - 2 -1 -2; 5
2. Breakaway, J 44 44.9, Thomas Blackwell, Fairfield, CT, USA - 3 -2 -1; 6
3. Kings Point - Comet, J 44 45, Midshipman Justin Nixon, Kings Point, NY, USA - 1 -3 -4; 8
ORC Fleet (ORC - 8 Boats)
1. Christopher Dragon, Italia 11.98 39, Andrew and Linda Weiss, Mamaroneck, NY, USA - 3 -1 -1; 5
2. Tio Loco, Club Swan 42 42, Stephen Madeira, Menlo Park, CA, USA - 2 -2 -2; 6
3. Zammermoos, Swan 42 42, David Fass, Mamaroneck, NY, USA - 1 -3 -3; 7
Coastal PHRF rating 47 or lower (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Desperado, CTM 40 40, NEKA Sailing, Glen Cove, NY, USA - 3 -1; 4
2. After Midnight, CTM41 41, Paul Jeka, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, USA - 1 -3; 4
3. GHOST, Sydney 38 38, Midshipman John McDonald, Kings Point, NY, USA - 2 -4; 6
Coastal PHRF rating higher than 47 (PHRF - 11 Boats)
1. byte, Sunfast 3300 33, Robert and Libby Alexander, Rye, NY, USA - 3 -1; 4
2. Ohana, Dehler 42 42, Ken Wisdom, Wilton, CT, USA - 4 -2; 6
3. Reviver, J 112e 36, Scott Devine, Bedford Hills, NY, USA - 1 -6; 7
J 109 (One Design - 8 Boats)
1. Growth Spurt, J 109 35, John Greifzu, Jr., Darien, CT, USA - 3 -1 -2 -1; 7
2. Big Boat, J 109 35, Bud Rogers, Sag Harbor, NY, USA - 2 -2 -1 -2; 7
3. Emoticon, J 109 35, Jonathan Rechtschaffer, Montclair, NJ, USA - 1 -9 -3 -3; 16
J 105 (One Design - 6 Boats)
1. Solution, J 105 34.5, David Willis, Huntington, NY, USA - 1 -1 -1 -2; 5
2. loulou, J 105 34.5, Paul Beaudin, New York, NY, USA - 2 -3 -3 -1; 9
3. Raven, J 105 34.5, Jason Barron, Bronx, NY, USA - 3 -2 -4 -3; 12