2009 Wrap-Up

Two J/22 fleet skippers competed in the BSC Club Championship sail-off, which was sailed in Thistles. Vincent, was the J/22 Fleet representative and took third place, behind top Thistle sailors, Loy and Alex. Bob got in the as a portsmouth fleet representative.

A number of other J/22 fleet sailors enjoyed a great view of the action from the spectator fleet. The cheers and jeers got louder as the day wore on and the beer rations of the spectator fleet were consumed. Back on shore everyone enjoyed the great meal prepared by Ziggy.

Winter weather got the better of the final two J/22 Fall Series events; but it was a good series overall, with good participation and competition. Bob/Rebecca took the top spot, with Vincent in second. Fred took third, followed closely by Team Shazam. The Final 2009 Fall Series standings are posted on the Results page.

At the Fleet Christmas party, Fred was elected Fleet Captain for 2010. Let’s all support Fred and keep the participation level high in the coming year.

November 14 Club One-Day Report

It was a beautiful sunny fall afternoon with three J/22s sailing. The lake was at flood stage and the current, combined with a lack of wind, spread the fleet out in the first race. Vincent picked the correct lane and finished first among J/22s. The next two races had more consistent breeze and the racing tightened up, especially at the leeward mark rounding. Being ahead or having the inside overlap was key because of the limited passing opportunities on the final weather leg. Bob was first among the J/22s in the last two races, with Shazam and Vincent each taking a second.

Series standings have been updated on the Fleet Standings page. Next up in the Fall Series is the December 5 Club One-Day.

November 1 Fleet Sunday

The weather was perfect for the November 1st J/22 Fleet Day with 7-12 knots of breeze and sunshine. Vincent pulled off a hat trick by winning all three races to take over second place in the fall series.

Updated standings are posted on the Fleet Standings page.

The next Series event is the November 14 Club One-Day regatta.

J/22 Southeast Circuit Wrap-Up

The last J/22 Southeast Circuit event was the Equalizer Regeatta last weekend in Nashville.  We had two BSC boats making the trip.  The fleet traveled well this year, and it was reflected in the final Circuit results.   Vincent took third place with strong showings in the Billy Bowlgs and Leukemia Cup Regattas, and also won the most improved skipper award.  BSC J/22s finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the series.

Click for Circuit Results

J/22 Fleet Day–Keepin’ it in the Family

The latest J/22 Series event was the October 4 Sunday Races.  Three J/22′s sailed in great breeze and cool rain.  The RC set long twice around courses, making for some great racing action.

It was great to see three generations of the Reich and Smith families on the race course Sunday.  But I knew the rest of the fleet was in trouble when I saw Fred was sailing light, with a crew of five!  Various Smith and Reich children drove Taz downwind, none of whom are even close to having drivers licenses.  (I’m told you don’t even need to be a member of the J/22 class if you’re under 10.)  The result–3 first place finishes.

So the moral is, if you ever see 5 assorted Reichs and Smiths on a J/22, and neither Fred nor David is driving, watch out!  It doesn’t look like Fred will be getting much tiller time in the near future, and the rest of the fleet should be afraid, very afraid.

Leukemia Cup Results

BSC Leukemia Cup 2009
Place	Skipper	Sail #	Pts	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5
1	Sean Clare	202	9	1	4	1	1	2
2	Bob Blythe	467	18	3	1	2	7	5
3	Vincent Priola	540	20	7	7	3	2	1
4	Wayne Cassady	723	21	2	2	5	5	7
5	Shazam	926	25	4	3	8	6	4
6	Fred Smith	664	26	6	9	4	4	3
7	Jennifer Grant	238	28	8	5	6	3	6
8	Bill Harshman	846	40	9	6	7	8	10
9	Jim Proctor	102	44	5	8	11	11	9
10	Bo Smith	104	46	10	10	9	9	8

Leukemia Cup Report

Ten J/22′s got ready to play in the rain at this year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta at BSC.  Howver, the rain held off on day one and the RC got off 3 races in a building breeze.  Sean and Bob ended the day tied for 1st with Wayne breathing down

Welcome to the J/22 Fleet at the Birmingham Sailing Club

Welcome to the J/22 Fleet at the Birmingham Sailing Club!  Check back often for fleet news, regatta reports, and other information about J/22 sailing in Birmingham.