Helly Hansen Regatta Annapolis Preview

ByStuart Johnstone
Sailboat racing with crew leaning out over the water.

(Annapolis MD)- The Helly Hansen Regatta returns to Annapolis, May 2nd to 4th with more than 160 teams expected to race in boats ranging from 20 to 40 feet. The annual spring regatta, which is considered the premiere local sailing event of the year on the Chesapeake Bay, also serves as the unofficial kickoff for the robust and thriving Annapolis sailing scene.

This year’s event will be heavily attended by J/Boats aficionados, with an astonishing EIGHT J/one-design classes: J/22s, J/24s, J/70s, J/80s, J/88s, J/29s, J/30s, and J/105s! The Annapolis regatta has truly evolved into a proverbial “J/Fest”!

J/22 Class
The dozen-boat fleet features some of the leading veteran teams, such as Jeff Todd’s HOT TODDY, Chris Wilson’s LIL’PUFFY, Kevin Doyle’s MO’MONEY, Jeff Hayden’s POLAR EXPRESS, and Chris Doyle’s THE JUG 4 1.

J/24 Class
This seven-boat fleet features Pete Kassal’s SPACEMAN SPIFF and Sam McGuire’s THE UPGRADE.

J/29 Class
In what amounts to a significant revival of the local fleet, seven teams will be vying for class honors; including John Burnham’s DEFIANT, Mike Bolf’s DIRTY HARRY, Elizabeth Principe’s THE DOGHOUSE, and Tom Lloyd’s ROSALITA.

J/30 Class
The ever-present, omniscient J/30 Annapolis fleet will again post a nice turnout of good teams. Amongst those boats are Dan Watson’s AVITA, Jim McGinnis’s BLITZ, and Charlie Lutz’s POGO.

J/70 Class
Two-dozen teams are poised to establish themselves as Chesapeake Bay Champions, include Mark Hillman’s SIX, Roy & Marina Lamphier’s BEAT MACHINE, Cate Muller-Terhune’s CASTING COUCH, Tod Sackett’s FM, and Ian Hill’s SITELLA.

J/80 Class
With a dozen boats, the J/80s will certainly experience top-notch racing among the local veterans. Some teams that may feature at the top of the leaderboard include Mike Beasley’s BLACK SHEEP, Bengt & Marie Johansson’s BLAZE, Bert Carp’s ELEVEN, Tom & Jennifer Kipp’s KOPP-OUT, and Kyle Comerford’s LITTLE STORM.

J/88 Class
After Charleston Race Week, several J/88 teams elected to complete their eastern tour by sailing the Annapolis regatta. Among the eight teams are several hot, veteran J/88 crews, including Chris & Liz Chadwick’s CHURCH KEY, Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION, Andy Graff’s EXILE, Lindsey Duda’s SIN DUDA, and Bill Purdy’s WHIRLWIND.

J/105 Class
With nearly two dozen boats, the J/105s will certainly have good, hard-fought, tight racing around the cans. Some of the title contenders maybe Bill Zartler’s DEJA VOODOO, Peter Bowe’s GOOD TRADE, Hugh Bethell’s JESTER, Ray Wulff’s PATRIOT, Bill Clary’s RUM PUPPY, and Don Santa’s SANTAS REIGN DEAR.

ORC Handicap Division
Several J/crews will be participating in the ORC division, including Keith Cole’s J/124 LUCKY EIGHTS, Kevin Sherwood’s J/99 BAY RETRIEVER, Zack Bayhan’s J/109 PATRIOT VII, and Jim Sagerholm’s famous J/35 AUNT JEAN.

For more Helly Hansen Annapolis Regatta sailing information
https://www.sailingworld.com/regatta-series-annapolis/