The J/88 North American Championship Preview

(Youngstown, NY)- Introduced just three years ago, the J/88 continues to gain passionate new owners across the world.  Having just passed the century mark of boats built, those 100 owners are spread across four continents, racing in a combination of one-design events as well as making their mark in prestigious offshore handicap races.  J/88s are winning in Hobart, Tasmania; winning Singlehanded Transpac’s; as well as ORC offshore events at Algarrobo, Chile.  And, they continue to surpass all owner’s expectations racing offshore in the USA and all over Europe under various handicapping systems (ORR, ORC, IRC, & PHRF).  Recently, J/88s won a famous overnight race on Lake Champlain in Vermont and two teams swept the top two spots on the podium in the incredibly challenging Chicago to Mackinac Race (20 hours of beating to windward in 15-32 kts of wind, 15 hours of light winds reaching, and 15 hours of moderate breezes two-sail reaching or under asym spinnaker)!  Talk about versatility!

No matter what the regatta or offshore race, the J/88 has proven time and again that both women owner/skippers and all corinthian teams are capable of sailing against some of the world’s top offshore sailors and win!  For more J/88 family speedster sailing information

Therefore, it is no surprise that fifteen J/88 teams are easily trailering their boats from across the eastern parts of the USA and Canada and participating in the second J/88 North American Championship, hosted by Youngstown YC in Youngstown, New York.  The teams will be participating as part of the YYC’s famous CanAm Challenge, sailing on Lake Ontario.

Registered for this year’s event is a “who’s who” of top J/88 teams from the past three years, including past NA winners, past Key West Midwinters winners, Block Island Race Week winners, and Queens Cup winners.  It will be an eye-opening event for many crews, particularly local teams facing the northeastern contingent that have been doing battle for at least five major events so far in 2017!  The leading east coast crews, based on performances at the recent East Coast Championship in Block Island, should be Doug McKeige’s JAZZ, Mike Bruno’s WINGS, Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION and Doug Newhouse’ YONDER.  From the Chicago area, visiting teams that have won various offshore events include Tod Patton’s BLONDIE 2, Andy Graff’s EXILE and Al Minella’s ALBONDINGAS.  Two Canadian teams from the north side of Lake Ontario are participating, Jim Egloff’s TOUCH2PLAY and Ard Van Leeuwen’s JAUNTY J.

Defending their home turf and hoping to fend off the onslaught of the visiting teams on their home waters of Lake Ontario will be Laura Wyler’s HIJINKS, Richard Lohr’s NIGHT OWL, Tim Finkle’s SEAWEED, and Joe & Jeff Pawlowski’s EASY EIGHTS!  The racing should be close, and fiercely fought over the championship series!  For more J/88 North American Championship sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.


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