J-22 Fleet 19 Annapolis, Maryland

Congratulations to Warren Richter, Matt Schubert and Collin Linehan and crews for finishing 1, 2,and 3 respectively this past weekend at the SSA Spring Series. After having to reschedule the race to Sunday
due to excessive wind on Saturday we were able to round up five boats for some great spring racing. Click on http://groups.google.com/group/j22fleet-19/web/2009-results - or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work to see the full results.

The AYC Spring One Design is the next event on Saturday April 18 with the NOODS the following weekend.

Please continue to pass the word about our new Groups Site and make sure everyone on your roster is signed up to receive the e-mails.

From Todd Hiller: Among the flurry of sailing activity on the Chesapeake Bay Nov1-2, Annapolis Yacht Club played gracious hosts to the J22 East Coast Championships. The original date set for the event in early September was blown out due to Tropical Storm Hanna making her presence in the area. There were eighteen boats registered for the regatta. Once again, it was Bobby Frey and the AYC race committee crew performed

superb race management reeling off a five race series in two days. Conditions Saturday were fluky at best and made for challenging decisions. On Sunday, the breeze was up to a steady 10-15 kts from the northeast and tapered to an 8-10 kts by the last race of the series. The second race on Saturday was abandoned due to a 180 deg wind shift which was a bit disheartening for those 5 to 7 boats that made it to the top mark. However, it was equally understood to start over again. There were teams from outside the Annapolis area. Two teams from Riverton, New Jersey, Terry Rapp and Bob Corney, Sandy Adzick from Corithanian Yacht Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Severn Sailing, the US Naval Academy and US Coast Guard Academy sent sloop team consisting of their top dinghy sailors and for the furthest traveled team, Travis Odenbach, all the way from the great white north of Rochester, New York came to Annapolis. Odenbach’s team was excited for the balmy temps south of the Mason Dixon Line as they arrived in shorts and t-shirts. Odenbach admits to watching the temperature gauge in his truck on their way down waiting for the opportune time to change clothes.

Sunday, the three races tightened up the top three contenders. Not realizing there was a drop race; Brad Julian, Matt Schubert, Lori Schubert (Sat) & Dave Bonney (Sun) were knocking on the door to Todd Hiller and his team which consisted of Lynda Hiller, Nicole Breault and Suzie Wulff. Julian dropped an eight in the first race and Hiller let go a fifth in the third race. The final race proved worthy with Hiller winning and taking the title of 2008 East Coast Champion with Julian and Finkelstein as runner ups, respectively. Saturday evening’s dinner was exceptionally nice. Annapolis Yacht Club opened the third deck with a dinner buffet for the competitors. With Alon Finkelstein’s son proudly strapped to his chest there was good news to be seen and heard come spring time. Let’s just say our fleet is growing. This regatta served a dual purpose and that was to determine the local yacht clubs fleet champion. Due to the rescheduling of the East Coasts it was decided to combine the two events. Each year the event alternates local yacht clubs race committee to host. Fleet #19 would like to strongly encourage fleet members to participate in this year’s Turkey Bowl. Eastport Yacht Club puts on a great event and furthermore, there is a fleet party following at the McCorkell’s, which we have been told promises to be one not to miss. There will be more details to follow.

It’s hard to believe that the 2008 sailing season is almost over. With one more event on the schedule, folks will be looking forward to another promising season of exciting racing on the Chesapeake Bay in 2009. For those looking to get out in the winter months and a week break of warmer weather, the 2009 J22 Mid-Winter’s are being hosted at Davis Island in Florida in mid February.

Greg Fisher of Annapolis, MD prevailed over 103 other J/22 teams from around the globe at the J/22 World Championship in Rochester, NY. Sailing with wife JoAnn, Jeff Eiber and Sarah Paisley, Fisher finished the 10 races 17 points ahead of Anthony Kotoun of the Virgin Islands in second place and 30 points ahead of Phil Wehrheim of Rochester, NY in third. Racing began on August 20 and concluded Sunday with variable breezes of 5 to 10 knots. Luc D’Aoust of Canada won the first race of the day, trailed by Todd Hiller and Fisher. Hiller of Annapolis, MD was victorious in the tenth and final race of the regatta. Tod Sackett and Wehrheim rounded out the top 3. Fisher placed fourth in the last race. He was also the victor at last year’s J/22 North American Championship. The top 10 are: Greg Fisher, Anthony Kotoun, Phil Wehrheim, Chris Doyle, Bill Hardesty, Peter McChesney, Jim Barnash, Todd Hiller, Rob Johnston and Allan Terhune, Jr. Multiple nations were represented at the championship, including the Netherlands, South Africa, France, the Virgin Islands, Canada and the US.