Quality family time in competition

Jay Horowitz dedicated considerable time and money into nurturing his son’s obvious talent for sailing.

“When I was 10 years old, I started the whole Opti life and my father toted me all over the world for that,” Zeke Horowitz said.

All the father’s effort paid off as Zeke Horowitz became an All-American at College of Charleston and later a professional with North Sails.

The younger Horowitz was one of three finalists for the 2018 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award after capturing the J/22 World Championship held out of his adopted hometown of Annapolis among other accomplishments.

Whereas Jay Horowitz once drove his son to Optimist regattas throughout the country, it is now the father who is along for the ride.

Zeke served as skipper and helmsman while Jay trimmed and hiked as crew as the father-son duo captured the 2019 Flying Scot North American Championship. Father and son chose to compete in the Flying Scot because the boat is affordable, popular in Florida and not too technical. Also, the class members are friendly and welcoming.

“It’s really one of the great joys of my life to be able to sail with my son,” Jay said. “This is kind of my return on the investment I put into Zeke’s sailing career. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy spending such quality time with my son.”

That is a sentiment shared by the son, who will be forever grateful to his father for wholeheartedly supporting his pursuit of a sport that has helped provide a college education and a career.

“We love the racing and we love winning, but for us it’s all about being together and having fun on the water,” said the younger Horowitz, who relishes being able to sail purely for fun after spending most of the year doing so for professional purposes. Full story.