Conor Hayes wins 2023 North American Championship

J/80 NA Class President Jeff Rabinowitz, at left, presents the NA Perpetual trophy to the crew of More Gostosa 1153, Catherine McGlaughlin, Conor Hayes, Dan Jolda, and Joe Dillier at Fay's Boatyard.

Report by Peter d'Anjou
Photos by Brogan Hurst

Twenty-two teams, including 7 Canadian entries, gathered in Gilford, NH to dual for the 2023 J/80 North American Championship hosted by J/80 Fleet 1 NH and the Winnipesaukee YC. Local Fleet 1 sailor Conor Hayes and crew prevailed in a wet and increasingly windy 3-day regatta. 

The weather started out nice during the weigh-in and measurement days before the regatta when the fleet moored in front of the Winnipesaukee YC.

Conor Hayes and team boasted a 2,9,1,4,1,3,4,9,12 scores over the three days and nine races for the championship - full scores on yachtscoring

More Gostosa 1153 battling second place finisher Jason Balich's OverAchiever 116 at the top mark. 

The race committee flew the U flag to keep boats from crowding the course side of the start line one minute before the gun.  OverAchiever was flagged twice and automatically disqualified from two races yet still managed to claw back for a podium finish. Fifteen U flag violations were called during the regatta.

More Gostosa gybes downwind in front of the fleet. Hayes likes to stand when steering downwind.

Guy Nickerson on 702 Pressure was third overall, just a point out of second place. The top Canadian entry was 4th overall, Warren Flannery's Feisty 78.

The marks used for the championship were bots which stayed in place despite the wind and exceedingly deep lake.  

The Mt. Washington ferry gave background to the sailing area known as the Broads.

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Congrats to Conor Hayes and the More Gostosa crew on winning the 2023 J/80 North American Championship.  Hayes also won the Corinthian and State of NH awards with the win. Next year's championship will be in Toronto, Canada.

For a complete look at Brogan Hurst's photos click here.