SANJL 2003 Events

2003 Championship Series Ends in Cold Windy Conditions

Steve Manson won the SANJL Overall Championship followed by Derek Jackson, Mark Buruchian, and Doug Brown. The Jeff Smith Memorial Trophy was won by Megan Keating as the top Challenger Division finisher. She was followed by Frank Heninninger Jr., Tom Doris, and Susan Mallows. See Complete Standings

The first leg of the North Jersey Championship series was sailed in brisk winds. Racing was tight with long windward legs and large wind shifts. Race committee chairman Mark Buruchian did an excellent job getting in four back to back races. The fleet (33 boats) was scored in two separate divisions. Steve Manson finished first in the Championship division and Megan Keating finished first in the Challenger division. Check out the complete race results.

Day two of the North Jersey Sunfish Championships was sailed at Spruce Run under gray skies. A cold northeast wind blew down the lake. Large "inside" shifts keep the competitors guessing all day long. The successful sailors kept their scores consistent by avoiding the corners and digging back to the middle of the coarse near the top of the weather leg. Race Committee Chairman Brent Benson set long starting lines that made it easy to find a starting spot but challenging to decide which end to play for that all important first shift.

The Challenger division was won convincingly by local junior sailor Nathan Maier. Second place went to new comer Cal Rodgers. He was followed byFrank Heninninger Jr. in third.

In the Championship division, Steve Manson edged out Mark Buruchian by a single point. Third place went to Bob Griswold.
Check out the complete race results.

Day three also at Spruce Run, resulted in one painfully slow drifting match around the lake. The single race day was won by Steve Manson. (Race results not worth checking out)

Day four
Green Pond in October is noted for strong shifty winds. The 20 sailors that braved the chilly wet weather were not disappointed. An "inside shift" on the left side of the course and more wind on the right side kept racers guessing. Dave Graham successfully figured out the course early, deciding that more wind and going fast on the right was better that pointing higher and going slow on the left. He was consistently in or near the lead at the weather mark in all races. However Derek Jackson sporting a new sail, was incredibly fast showing dominating speed. He ran off three straight wins assuring him the regatta victory before the last race.

The Challenger division was won by junior sailor Joe Strumolo. He was followed closely by Bruce Cattanach and Tom Doris. Regatta Results

2003 Junior Championship Series Won by Nate Maier

2003 Junior Championship Series Final Standings and Highland Lakes Day Three Results

Day Three - Highland Lake 8/16/03
The 2003 SANJL Junior Sunfish Series has concluded. This year the championship was won by Nate Maier of HSC. He was closely followed by second place finisher Dan Glashausser from Lake Packanack and three time Champion Kevin Buruchian from Highland Lake in third. Scott Saypol won the Midget Division with Nick Bravante in second place and Justin Murphy in third. The winner for the day however was not one of the series winners. Matt Taggart from Mountain Lakes came away with top daily honors and served notice that he will we a contender for next year's championship.

Highland Lakes did their usual excellent job in running the regatta including some prompt action when bad weather threatened. Mark Buruchian gave the kids a caution about rule 42 violations at the skippers meeting. Mark's talk seemed to have the desired effect as no illegal propulsion was seen by the watchful eye of the race committee.

The series was very successful. Many junior sailors were able to sail at their first SANJL event without leaving their home waters. Thank you to everyone who made these regattas possible. Derek Stow did an outstanding job coordinating the events and running the show. We look forward to growing junior participation next year.

Check out pictures of the winners
Slide show of the Highland Lake regatta
2003 SANJL Jr. Champion Nate Maier

Day Two - Mountain Lake 8/02/03
The second day of the SANJL Junior Championships was sailed on Mountain Lake. The wind was shifty from the South. Sailors had to be sharp to stay in phase. At the end of the day Nate Maier of HSC owned the top spot counting 4 total points. He was followed closely by Dan Glashausser from Packanack Lake in second place and Dominika Nawrot of HSC in third. (Both Nate and Dominika are regulars in the competitive Wednesday night Sunfish series at Spruce Run.)

In the Midget Division Nick Bravante was first followed by Scott Sapol and Nate Sorentino.

View the race results
Check out pictures of the winners

Day One - Packanack Lake 7/19/03
The first leg of the SANJL Junior Championship was sailed on Packanack Lake. The racing was very tight. Defending champion Kevin Buruchian narrowly won the day by defeating Dan Glashausser by a single point. Nate Maier was third only two points back. Kevin Murphy and Will Landou tied for forth with Kevin winning the tiebreaker. Dominika Nawrot was sixth.

Dan Glashausser's strong sailing won him the NJYRA Junior Championship. He was the top finisher from a NJYRA member yacht club.

Edward Wells and Scott Saypol tied for first place in the Midget division. Edward won the tie breaker and took home the gold. James Napolitano finished third just 2 points back. Justin Murphy and Nick Bravante round out the top five.

Check out the complete race results
Check out pictures of the winners