Preparations are well under way for Fleet 73 and Buffalo Yacht Club to welcome the J/22 Fleet.  The water is warm with nice breezes blowing across Lake Erie in August to make this an attractive venue for the Mercedes-Benz J/22 North American Championship.  Visit the regatta website, www.j22na.com, to register and to view up-to-the-minute information.

Even though festivities kick off with a practice race on Wednesday, August 18 at 1300 hours, the Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club invites all J/22 racers to partake in its usual Tuesday evening race night.  The first gun is 1800 hours, and they usually get in 2-3 short races.  Post-race features the grill and the mandatory discussions.  Wednesday after the practice race, you will have the pleasure of hearing Greg Fisher hold an on-the-water seminar and his words of wisdom on sail trim.  Thursday morning's first gun will initiate 3 days of great sailing in the quest for bragging rights.  Fleet 73 and the Buffalo Yacht Club will continue with additional awards for the Master's, Women's and Junior classes.  Last year's initiation of the Master's and Women's classes at the Raw Bar was met with enthusiasm by those sailors.  We encourage juniors to get involved also.  You may know that Buffalo, New York is the original home of the Beef on Weck sandwich, chicken wings and, of course, the Raw Bar - which many J/22 sailors have sampled over the past few years at the Eastern Great Lakes Championships.  The cuisine this year will be excellent, as usual.  You'll be able to wash down the daily performances on the water with a keg or appropriate beverage.  Thursday evening will feature a combination of Beef on Weck and Buffalo wings.  On Friday evening, BYC will present their barbecue chicken dinner and optional, for some, Raw Bar.  Entertainment will help all enjoy a warm summer night.  Post race on Saturday, food and drink will be provided as we await the anointing of this year's J/22 North American champion.  So shuffle off to Buffalo and a wonderful fresh water experience this August as we all celebrate our Class and help the Buffalo Yacht Club celebrate its 150th year!