THE SAG HARBOR EXPRESS ISSUE DATE: 6/10/04 June 2004 J80 National Championship Staged in Noyac Bay By Dave Janetti

2004 J80 North Americans/Long Island Championship Final Results - June 4-6 2004

If you drove by Long Beach last Friday or Saturday chances are you noticed a colorful array of J80 sailboats flying spinnakers back and forth across Noyac Bay. The event, co-sponsored by J80 Fleet IV and the Breakwater Yacht Club, was the 2004 J80 Long Island and North American Championships. The three day regatta spanned Friday through Sunday and attracted over 125 participants from Sag Harbor, eastern Long Island, across the United States and into Canada. The event was the most prestigious J80 race to be held in North America in 2004.

Among the roster of highly accredited sailors were previously reigning North American Champion and current J80 World Champion Jay Lutz and his crew aboard Synergy, previously reigning Long Island Champion and past World Champion Kerry Klingler and his crew aboard USA 352, and co-owners Glenn Darden and Reese Hillard aboard Le Glide. Glenn is a former Mallory Cup winner and Lightning World Champion. Also attending the event was Rod Johnstone, the designer of the illustrious family of J-Boats including the J80.

Local Fleet IV sailors participating in the event included John Chapman (Currahee), Guy Perrone (Vertigo), Jim Ryan (What, Me Worry?), David Jannetti (Jibber Jabber), Bud Rogers (Margaret), Jamie Nawojchik (Grace), Kingfisher (Scott Gaeckle) and David Betts (Best Betts).

On Friday, the 2004 J80 NA's began with USA 352/Kerry Klingler conquering shifty light air and taking the first race. The northerly wind dropped out completely leaving the 25 boat-strong fleet no other choice than to patiently await new breeze. Well over two hours later a light westerly filled Noyac Bay and Paul Baehr's Fast Company earned them the second gun of the day. The westerly turned south and gained strength. Le Glide/Darden, Hillard seized the new conditions and the third race to finish as the top boat of day one. The top three positions (after day one) were Le Glide, 9 points; Banjo and USA 352 (tied), 10 points; Synergy, 17 points.

Four races were held on Saturday in 8-15 knots of breeze. Synergy/Jay Lutz took the first gun and C'est Nasty/Rick Shaeffer took the second gun. The easterly winds continued to build throughout the day. Le Glide, co-owned by Glenn Darden and Reese Hillard took the final two bullets and clinched the regatta. The top five boats overall were Le Glide, 10 pts; Synergy, 17 pts; USA 352, 18 pts; C'est Nasty, 28 pts and Banjo, 31 pts.

Three years ago Fleet IV organized, and Breakwater Yacht Club sponsored the first annual J80 Long Island Championship. A dozen boats participated in 2002 and following a successful inaugural campaign we held the repeat event in 2003. Fifteen J80's participated. It was the highest attended J80 event to date on Long Island. This year, concurrent with the 2004 Long Island Championship and North American Championship, the regatta features 28 boats.

J80 Fleet IV won the bid for to host the North American Championship last Fall. The bid was initiated through a formal written proposal to the J80 National Executive Committee. Fleet IV/Sag Harbor was selected over competing bids from other ports throughout the United States largely due to the accelerating popularity along the East End. A concerted effort spearheaded by Mindy Vitale, David Jannetti, James Nawojchik, Jim Ryan comprised the organizational committee. Bruce Tait, Vice Commodore, John Niewenhous, Commodore and Carol Morse, Race Committee Chairperson for Breakwater Yacht Club were instrumental in aligning with Fleet IV to win the bid. Local and national sponsors contributed.