Fall racing on Long Island Sound

The American Yacht Club Fall Series got underway with the first of two stages held September 28-29 in Rye, NY. Strong attendance in keelboat one designs and PHRF fleets competed on buoy courses while a 14-boat Performance Cruising Class had government mark races. The final stage will be held October 5-6. Details.

Report from American Yacht Club:
The first weekend of American Yacht Club’s 2019 Fall Regatta kicked off with beautiful weather and perfect sailing conditions. Competitors visited AYC from across the East Coast and beyond to compete in a regatta that has become popular among IRC, PHRF, and One-design classes. This year, the regatta is hosting nine separate classes with the two largest being the J/105 and J/109.

“Long Island Sound Sailing conditions were at near peak this weekend! We had some amazing conditions and everyone, including sailors, Race Committee, and support boats worked hard over Saturday and Sunday,” said AYC Sailing Director Kevin Broome.

“Our wind ended up being a little stronger than the forecast each day. Warm weather, wind, and some waves were enjoyed by everyone. There were three races on Saturday on the East course, four on the South course and three for most of the fleets on Sunday. It was a great weekend all the way around!”

With great sailing conditions came great performances. Peacemaker YCC (PHRF) helmed by Leo Vasiliev posted bullets in all three races on Saturday and followed up with two more on Sunday to finish the first weekend atop the PHRF class.

Close finishes and tight scoring highlighted the J/44 fleet. Resolute (2, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1), Breakaway (4, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3), Vamp (1, 4, 4, 1, 3, 4) and Maxine (3, 1, 3, 4, 4, 2) finished the first weekend at the top of their class with only four points separating first and fourth place.

The IRC Division saw two boats trading spots nearly every race throughout, which made for some really thrilling competition. Pterodactyl (R/P 45 Custom) posted 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1 while M.A.T. 1180 YCC (M.A.T. 1180) posted 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2 to place each other in a tie for first place heading into the final weekend.

USA 551 had an impressive weekend in the J/70 class, posting a 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 to finish the weekend in first place. Close behind was Yogi helmed by Nick Custer and a new crew sailing the Coast Guard’s J/70 that included recent AYC JAYC grad Richard O’Leary, Merrill Cline, Greg Gaskel, and Dan Peveler.

“It was great to see so many young sailors mixed into the adult racing,” said Broome. “We are looking forward to a great final weekend of racing!”

AYC’s Fall Regatta will wrap up this upcoming weekend, followed by an awards ceremony Sunday night.