VAMP Dominates 2003 distance race circuit

Lenny Sitars and his J44 named VAMP dominated the 2003 distance race circuit with some very impressive results. With a 1st place finish in the Around Block Island Race, a 1st place finish in the Around Long Island Race, a 1st place finish in the Vineyard Race and a 1st place finish in the Gearbuster, VAMP missed winning the NELS trophy by less than half of a point.

The following is a report from Vamp's navigator following their Around Long Island win. VAMP crossed the finish line almost seven hours ahead of the next boat in the division.

Race Report: Sea Cliff Yacht Club's Around Long Island Regatta 2003
From the J-44 VAMP, USA 43600.

Following a choppy 'wind v. ebb' pre-start, we chose to split from the pack and head offshore. Observations indicated that the front to our south was moving north quicker than originally predicted; hence the damp easterly favored the 15-knot side of the forecast. We expected a brief backing ahead of the front, and initially planned to duck inshore around midnight. However, our belief that the front had accelerated suggested that the backing would be shorter lived than originally forecasted, and not worth our while. Instead, we committed to an offshore route for better pressure and an inside lift when the wind clocked. Reports indicated southerlies at or less than 10 knots along the shore, so we held out before making one tack for Montauk.

Thankfully, we arrived at Montauk with the flood, and were carried around the corner in a very light southerly with patchy fog. The north side of the point offered a predictable but relieving 13 knot southwesterly. With the current about the switch direction, we hustled to the gut like a commuter hearing a subway door closing. Just as the Sound went from suck to blow, we sneaked through the gut (with a little help from some eddies) before being locked out.

With the cool temps we did not expect too much convection over Long Island, so we stuck to the rhumb line and for the most part fetched Lloyd's Point. The usual dismal light air beat started at Eaton's Neck, with the added pleasure of heavy rain and lightning. After a few tacks up the harbor, we briefly interrupted the Race Committee party on station at the finish (we heard the music from a half mile out) and were happy to start the engine . . . and a party of our own.

We finished First in Division 8 (nearly seven hours before the next Div 8 boat), and Fifth in fleet. As part of the New York Yacht Club contingent with Harrier and Bombardino, we won First Place in the team competition, and the trophy for the yacht club with the most finishers.

This victory is due largely in part to the flawless performance of Vamp's hard working and equally hard partying crew. Her crew for this race included Captain Lenny Sitar, Watch Captain Skip Smith, Navigator A.J. Evans, Dr. Franz Reck, Doug Lanthier, Tommy Colucci, Bjorn Johnson, Britt Hubbard, Drew Robb, Vince Lopez, and Scott Salerno.

Overall, the negative rating PHRF (or should they only be IMS?) boats are hard to beat, but I think we put up a good fight.

A.J. Evans
Navigator
VAMP