(Block Island, RI)- The 25th Anniversary of the Storm Trysail Club's
biennial Block Island Race Week was celebrated this past week, and it
seems that after almost five decades a good thing has only gotten better
with age. First held in 1965, the five-day competition, originally
patterned after Cowes Week, is one of the last true Race Weeks remaining
in America. The event proved it still can deliver on its time-tested
tradition of good, challenging racing to over 1500 sailors competing on
182 teams while also embracing all types of racing sailors with a
“something for everyone” approach.Of the 182 boat fleet, J/Boats had by far the largest brand presence in the regatta with 80 boats participating (44% of the fleet!). Six J one-design classes participated, including the J/111s, the J/80 North American's and East Coast Championships for the J/109, J/105s, J/44s and J/29s. J/Teams also sailed in the IRC and PHRF handicap divisions.
The J/111 class had a closely contested event with five boats. After winning the classic Around Island Race on Tuesday, Paul Strauch's ANDIAMO team never looked back to lead the class after finishing third on the final windy race on Friday. Second was Doug Curtiss's WICKED 2.0 with 18 pts. Class newcomer Mike Piper (Marblehead, MA) sailing EAGLES DARE were quick learners in the class, sailing better and more consistently every race to snag third on a tie-breaker over PARTNERSHIP (David & Maryellen Tortorello). Sailing Photos by Allen Clark/ PhotoBoat.com and Stephen Cloutier/ BlockIslandRI.net. For more Block Island Race Week sailing information
