The 2023 J/24 North American Championship launched Thursday at Sandusky Sailing Club in Sandusky, Ohio in stellar Lake Erie conditions. Twenty-eight teams delighted in winds of 12-14 knots, sunny skies, warm temperatures and flat water, completing four races. Mike Stasko’s Redline proved the most consistent with scores of 2,4,1,4 for 11 points and the initial advantage. Redline is a fully amateur boat from Canandaigua, NY, also leading the 12-boat Corinthian Division. In second place overall is John Mollicone’s Sparcraft at 16 points, and another point back in third is Bill Fastiggi’s Fawn Liebowitz. Mollicone’s Sparcraft kicked off the Championship with a victory, ahead of Stasko’s Redline and Fastiggi’s Fawn Liebowitz. In race two, the top trio included Ted Wiedeke’s Caramella, Fastiggi and Tony Parker’s Bangor Packet. Stasko took line honors in the third battle, with Kelly FitzGerald’s Rush Hour runner-up and Parker again in third. Closing out the day triumphantly to lead teams to shore were Aidan Glackin’s Mental Floss, Mollicone and Josh Kerst’s Instant Karma. Racing continues through Sunday. Complete results may be found at https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=15584, and photos are available on the International J/24 Class Facebook page.
International Class Association
