J/105 North American Championship at Royal Canadian Yacht Club - Day 2
by Julie & Christopher Howell 18 Sep 2025 16:37 PDT
September 17-20, 2025
Although they are accustomed to heavy air and hiking, two San Francisco boats are dominating in lighter breeze after five races at the J/105 North American Championship in Toronto.
Thursday on Lake Ontario brought winds starting around 8 knots and backing off during the three races. Randy Hecht's Niuhi racked up two more bullets and a third to extend their lead with only 7 total points in this no-discard series. Bruce Stone's Arbitrade has been consistent with mostly seconds but dipped in race 5, holding second place with 21 points. Local James Rathbun's Hey Jude won Thursday's last race to launch up to third with 34 points among the 18-boat fleet.
Race Committee started an hour earlier, and Hecht's Niuhi added their third consecutive bullet. Stone's Arbitrade was again runner-up, plus Frank McLaughlin's Starcross in the bronze position. Despite the shifty conditions, Hecht's Niuhi and Stone's Arbitrade went 1,2 again in race four, as Matt Arno's Blue Flash cracked the top three. Local boats Hey Jude and Andrew Lennox's Trident took charge for Thursday's final battle, as Niuhi took third.
The Championship, with title sponsor British Virgin Islands, continues through Saturday hosted by Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Photos from Tim Wilkes are available here, and complete results may be found at J/105 North American Championship.