Patience needed for Sonar World Championship

Morgan Connor won the 2024 Sonar World Championship, held September 12-15 in Darien, CT. Hosted by Noroton Yacht Club, 31 teams competed from across the USA, Canada, and Ireland. Local Connor with crew Jan Raymond, Wells Connor, and Drew Buttner won the seven-race series by six points over Garin Pace in second with TK Kinney 19 points back in third.

Long Island Sound, known for its hot summer days, extended those conditions to mid-September. On day one, PRO Shannon Bush couldn’t conjure up enough breeze to send out the fleet. Day two started the same way, but after an extended shoreside postponement, the fleet went out and got in one light-air race before the wind disappeared again.

With only one race in the books and four races required for the Championship, the fleet got in two more relatively light-air races on day three. All eyes turned towards the final day with hopes that the forecast for a 8-12 knot easterly would materialize.

The first warning was moved up to 0930 on day four, and with an 10-12 knot easterly, four races were held to complete the series.

Connor was sailing for the first time since college with Buttner along with his 16-year-old son Wells doing bow. Jan Raymond, the boat’s owner, became the oldest sailor to win a Sonar (and perhaps any) major one-design World Championship at 81 years old.

Details: https://norotonyc.org/regatta/IWnyVTfMaq

Source: Ed “Buttons” Padin, Sonar Class