Friday, July 14, 2017

J/105s Dominate Doublehanded Class @ Stratford Shoal Race

(Stratford, CT)- This past 4th of July Independence Day weekend marks the annual mad 45nm offshore dash from Riverside, CT to the Stratford Shoal Light and back to the finish link just off the club.  This was the 86th edition of the Stratford Shoal Race, hosted by the Riverside YC on Long Island Sound.

The highlights of the race included a duel between two well-sailed J/105s vying for class honors in the PHRF Doublehanded division.  Sailing in one-design class configuration at a PHRF rating of 93, the top two boats finished just minutes apart after criss-crossing the Sound for 45nm.  Winning by just over 4 minutes was Randy Bourne’s STRANGE BREW and taking the silver was Josh Burack’s PEREGRINA.  In fleet, they did quite well, taking 4th and 6th, respectively, overall.  Furthermore, Todd Aven’s well-traveled J/92 THIN MAN took fourth in class and 16th in fleet.

Stratford Shoal LightIn PHRF Division 1 class, William Ingraham’s J/124 TENEBRAE took fourth place.  In PHRF Division 2, Steve Chronert’s J/109 ZUMA placed third in class and 15th in fleet.  In PHRF Division 4, the Young American Junior Big Boat Team sailed their J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN YCC to 4th in class and 12th in fleet.  Ken & Drew Hall’s J/88 NEVERMORE managed a 5th in class.  After starting at 0955 hrs on Saturday morning, virtually the entire fleet was finished by 1730 hrs, in time for fireworks, cocktails and munchies and a gorgeous sunset over New York City.  For more Stratford Shoal Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.