By Nick von der Wense
Designed nearly a 100 years ago by America’s Cup winning designer Sturling Burgess (Current J Class boats Enterprise, Rainbow and Ranger), The Atlantic Class congregated August 14 -August 16 to determine the 2024 National Champion at the Madison Beach Club in CT. Atlantics, a throw back classic with a massive mainsail and high aspect jib is easy to sail and is crewed by a team of 4. Teams were treated to a near perfect weather series. Spread across three days, the fleet enjoyed a 6 race one throwout, sea breeze generated 6-12 knot SE-SWerlys. Each year the class brings in a PRO to help provide the best possible racing, this year was Amanda Clark, whose communication, experience and energy were the perfect compliment.
Designed nearly a 100 years ago by America’s Cup winning designer Sturling Burgess (Current J Class boats Enterprise, Rainbow and Ranger), The Atlantic Class congregated August 14 -August 16 to determine the 2024 National Champion at the Madison Beach Club in CT. Atlantics, a throw back classic with a massive mainsail and high aspect jib is easy to sail and is crewed by a team of 4. Teams were treated to a near perfect weather series. Spread across three days, the fleet enjoyed a 6 race one throwout, sea breeze generated 6-12 knot SE-SWerlys. Each year the class brings in a PRO to help provide the best possible racing, this year was Amanda Clark, whose communication, experience and energy were the perfect compliment.
With windward legs of 1.5 – 2.0 Nautical miles the fleet spread itself out quickly, creating lots of leverage and time to gauge separation. Since the class bans GPS enabled devices, modern wind instruments, dry sailing, has no crew weight limits, and only allows compasses, the emphasis is sailing by the seat of the pants, and enjoying the art of one design sailing with friends, family and guests.
Skipper Scott Reichelm, with crew Henry Brauer, Patrick Wyllie, and Matt Baldwin from Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT won the 2 last races in easy fashion, besting the home club’s youngest Atlantic sailor, Rory Coster with team of Nick von der Wense, Chase Latour and Bobbo Simmons rounding out the team. The focus on family and friends was obvious, Reichelm is a second generation Altantic sailor whose father has won multiple times and had come close numerous times himself, Coster, local to Madison was handed the tiller of his family’s boat when his dad committed to helping run the event this year.
To learn more about the Atlantic Class, click here.
Atlantic Class (One Design – 24 Boats)
1. Shucks, Scott Reichhelm , USA – 2 -[12] -4 -3 -1 -1 ; 11
2. Waypoint, Rory Coster , USA – [12] -6 -3 -2 -2 -4 ; 17
3. Transit, Tim Britton , USA – 5 -[7] -2 -5 -3 -2 ; 17
4. Miss April, Dave Peck , USA – 4 -1 -[12] -1 -4 -8 ; 18
5. Patriot, Ron Marsilio , USA – 3 -5 -1 -[7] -6 -7 ; 22
1. Shucks, Scott Reichhelm , USA – 2 -[12] -4 -3 -1 -1 ; 11
2. Waypoint, Rory Coster , USA – [12] -6 -3 -2 -2 -4 ; 17
3. Transit, Tim Britton , USA – 5 -[7] -2 -5 -3 -2 ; 17
4. Miss April, Dave Peck , USA – 4 -1 -[12] -1 -4 -8 ; 18
5. Patriot, Ron Marsilio , USA – 3 -5 -1 -[7] -6 -7 ; 22
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