Even though many of us, in the Northeast, are getting ready to attack the slopes and wreck our knees and other body parts, some of us are making plans for the 2010 J/22 campaign. The Midwinters and the first spring regattas will be a great tune-up for the 2010 season. Get your crew and families together to rehash the 2009 season and your plan to defend those championships or go after the next available one.

The Buffalo Yacht Club and it sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, will be hosting the 2010 J/22 North American Championship. We have built-up a great resume in hosting many world-class regattas. As for the J/22 fleet, the word about Buffalo is out after hosting several J/22 “Raw Bar Regattas.” Next year, the Raw Bar festivities will be moved to August 19-21 as the Buffalo Yacht Club celebrates its 150th year by welcoming you all to its beautiful facility on Lake Erie. August in Buffalo is usually blessed with temperatures in the 80s and 8-12 knot winds.

In the past, we have had great representation from Youngstown, Rochester, Cleveland, Annapolis and Detroit. There is a growing fleet in Canandaigua that I understand is interested in coming to Buffalo. The competition is great, and the camaraderie has been fabulous. We are only one hour from Rochester—home of the 2008 J/22 World Championship.

Next year, we are going to feature not only the gold class (the fast guys and gals), but we shall present a junior division, a ladies division and a masters division. Our plans are to have one start for all classes but separate awards for the aforementioned. A practice race will be run on Wednesday, August 18, and we will allow Sunday the 22nd as a travel day. Details will follow.

Help the Buffalo Yacht Club celebrate its 150th anniversary. Come join us in August!