WindCheck Magazine 2024 AYC Spring Regatta Recap

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

On Friday, five classes (ORC, PHRF 1-3, and PHRF Non-Spinnaker) hit the starting line. PRO Nick Everett set up three 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 four races running windward-leewards in three classes (J/44, J/105, ORC). South Course PRO Nick Everett kicked off the four-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 three races on the East Course and one for the coastal classes, including a reach leg where sailors had a chance to break out their code-zeros.

Asked for his take on the coastal racing, Jeanneau Sunfast 3300 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 other’s company at the club, even after a hard day of work on the water.”

“We had a fantastic three days of racing and shoreside festivities,” said Event Chair Erik Asgeirsson. “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.”

Breeze was abundant for much of AYC’s Spring Regatta, and the three-day, dual event format is proving popular.

May 3 Coastal Race
Best Overall: Zammermoos

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

Bluefin, a J/100 campaigned by Tom Boyle, Bob Clyatt and Doug McKiege, ruled the roost in PHRF Non-Spinnaker.

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)

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