STRATOS King Of Manhattan J/105s!

(Jersey City, NJ)- While they may not have ability to hop up on J-foils in a 14 kt puff in front of the Statue of Liberty like the ACWS 45 foot cats, but the Manhattan J/105 fleet surely had one helluva lot more fun during their Manhattan Regatta that took place over the May 21st to 22nd weekend.

Hosted out of Liberty Landing Marina, the same home base for all the America’s Cup World Series events that took place the previous weekend, the fourteen J/105s were treated to amazing hospitality by the Liberty Landing Marina crew and by the weather Godz— certainly better than what the AC45 cats had the weekend before suffering through three near “drift-a-thons” that masqueraded as “races”.

As usual, the strong currents and busy commercial waters of New York Harbor pose an interesting challenge.  Mixed weather provided breezy weather the first day and light air the second day.  The fleet got five races in with W-L courses set in the area just east of the Statue of Liberty.  The competition was close with different boats winning each of the races and the final standings coming down to the last race.

Winning the event despite his best efforts to torpedo their own chances was Marcus Wunderlich’s STRATOS crew.  After maintaining a tenuous lead after four races over Paul Beaudin’s WARLOCK, the STRATOS crew imploded in the last race and posted an 8th place.  Nevertheless, they remained three points clear of Beaudin’s WARLOCK who secured second place for the series.  Taking third by virtue of a tie-breaker and having a chance at first overall was Gary & Ann Myer’s MAGIC; unfortunately, misfortune also befell them in the last race, having to score a DSQ!  Losing the tie-breaker and taking fourth overall was Dennis Driscoll’s HORNET and in fifth was Mark van Schallkyk’s CIRCE.

Thanks for the efforts of Fleet 10 and Fleet 6 and the hospitality of Liberty Landing Marina to make the event possible.  The weekend included a great BBQ aboard the Liberty Light Ship permanently docked at the marina immediately across the Hudson from the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan.  As most sailors commented, you simply cannot beat the view of the sunset bouncing off all the glass on the southwestern Manhattan skyline, with the 1,776 ft tall Freedom Tower and the famous Empire State Building in the background- two of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world!  Next time, join us!  We have a blast, it’s totally laid back sailing, and the views are simply mind-blowing!  One of these days, we might even have to include a “Manhattan Round the Island Race” (motoring permitted, of course!).  Sailing photo credit- Pimm Van Hemen.com.   For more J/105 Manhattan Regatta sailing information


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