Buley and LE TIGRE Repeat as J/80 North American Champions

(Kingston, ONT, Canada)- After three outstanding days of racing on the waters of Lake Ontario, James Buley and LE TIGRE successfully defended their title, capturing the 2026 J/80 North American Championship at CORK Sail Kingston in Portsmouth Olympic Harbor. Twenty-seven teams competed July 10-12, completing eight races in a Championship that showcased tight competition, excellent race management, and the benefits of the Vakaros RaceSense system, culminating in a nail-biting finish.

Buley, of San Diego, CA, was joined by an accomplished crew of Bill Hardesty, Jackson Benvenutti, and Skip Dieball. Their consistent performance across the eight-race series earned them back-to-back North American Championship titles. Buley finished tied on 16 points with Graham Philpot’s BLACK DOG, claiming the Championship via a tiebreaker decided in the final race. Congratulations to the BLACK DOG team, including Ben Crosby, Tom Wells, and Emmet Todd, for earning Corinthian honors! Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH rounded out the overall podium in third.

Corinthian Division
Behind Phipot’s BLACK DOG, taking the silver medal was Ryan Seago’s KOPP-OUT, and Megan Strehlow’s WING IT took the bronze.

Off the water, competitors enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere that has become a hallmark of CORK Sail Kingston. Daily shoreside gatherings featured lively debrief sessions led by Kristen Berry, giving sailors the opportunity to review Vakaros RaceSense replays, exchange ideas and build camaraderie after each day on the course.

The excitement at Portsmouth Olympic Harbor is far from over. Many of the North American Championship competitors will remain in Kingston for the 2026 J/80 World Championship July 18-25, where an international fleet will compete for the Class’ most prestigious title.

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