J70 North American Championship at Davis Island Yacht Club Sailor Spotlight: Eddie Gary

2023/2024 DIYC J 70 Winter Series 2 © Christopher Howell

At just twenty-seven years old, Eddie Gary has already achieved what many sailors spend decades chasing, a national championship title and a reputation for skill, composure, and leadership in one of the most competitive one-design classes in the world. Eddie and his crew aboard Ayacucho captured the 2025 and 2024 J/70 Corinthian U.S. National Championship, over eight races they sailed with discipline and precision, winning through rock-solid consistency.

"It feels great," Eddie shared with the J/70 International Class Association after the win. "I've sailed J/70s for a long time, but this was only my third regatta driving one. Many of the top teams sail with professionals, so you knew the game was on. We didn't win a race, but we stayed consistent, and that made all the difference."

Eddie's path to that moment began long before. Introduced to sailing by his father, he was racing by age eight. The two spent countless hours on the water together, developing the kind of bond that can only come from shared passion and unpredictable wind. "One of the best things we ever did was qualify my dad for his first World Championship," Eddie recalls. "We raced together at the J/70 North Americans in Canada to earn the berth, then got to sail the Worlds in St. Pete side by side. Those are memories I'll never forget."

Even as his competitive career accelerated, family remained at its core. When Ayacucho claimed the Corinthian title, the victory was a multi-generational triumph. Eddie helmed alongside longtime college sailing friends Brendan Read, Travis Carlisle, and Andrew Sheerin, with Brad Read serving as tactician and "team dad." On shore, roughly a dozen family members and friends formed a cheering section that made the win feel like a reunion as much as a championship. "It was a whole family affair," Eddie shared with the Class Association. "My parents, crews, and their families, about eleven people total, were there cheering us on. That support made the win even more special."

His calm focus and tactical instincts reflect thousands of hours of racing and refinement, much of it sharpened during college competition. "The biggest difference between a good crew and a great one," he explains, "is time on the water together. Knowing your role, trusting everyone else to do theirs, and communicating precisely, even with just a few words, that's what wins races." Patience, he adds, is just as critical, especially in light-air conditions where every decision is magnified. "You have more time to second-guess yourself, so discipline matters. We don't chase hero moments, we focused on clean starts, solid boat speed, and staying out of trouble. That's what wins championships."

Even at the top level, Eddie treats each regatta as a classroom. "Last winter, Kristen Berry helped compile Annapolis Fleet 1 data," he says. "We discovered that in light air we were often sailing a degree or two lower than other teams, covering slightly more distance, but our average speed was more consistent, which meant we gained overall. That kind of shared learning is what makes this class great."

Now Eddie and his Ayacucho crew are preparing for the J/70 North American Championship, coming home to Tampa Bay and hosted by his own Davis Island Yacht Club. "We're racing the Fall Brawl in Annapolis to stay sharp," he says. "Then we'll make sure the boat's ready, no last-minute fixes." Although Ayacucho spends much of the year traveling the national circuit, Eddie remains deeply connected to the DIYC fleet. "The competition here is strong, and the camaraderie is even stronger. Everyone's open, everyone's willing to help. That's what makes the J/70 class and DIYC so special."

Eddie Gary embodies everything that defines the J/70 spirit: teamwork, humility, and relentless consistency. "It's amazing how sailing brings people together," he says. "Winning with my friends, racing with my dad, and being part of a fleet that supports each other, it's all irreplaceable." When the North Americans begin this December, Ayacucho will be one of the hometown favorites, carrying not just the DIYC burgee but the heart of what Corinthian sailing is all about.