September 27 – October 2, Rush Creek Yacht Club in Heath, Texas hosted the J22 National Championship in fine fashion. The winds cooperated quite well and 7 races were held, with one drop. There were 37 boats from across the United States competing.
The winner was Team Poop, from Rochester, New York, skippered by Flip Wehrheim with Max Skelley and Greg Koski crewing. They won 4 of the 7 races. Close behind them was the Austin Yacht Club team of Skipper Scott Young, with crew Mark Salih and John Morran.. The Austin team lost the Championship to Rochester by only 1 point. The third place team hailed from the Ft. Worth Boat Club and was skippered by Terry Flynn on Tejas. Rush Creek Yacht Club came in fourth on Genesta skippered by Kelson Elam with Jim Bookhout and David Hoye crewing.
Texas sailors were impressive with 7 of the top 10 boats from Texas and 3 from Rush Creek Yacht Club. Women got into the act big time this year. There were 4 all female boats. All of the women only boats were from Texas with 2 from Rush Creek, one from Forth Worth Boat Club and one from Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club. The top female boat was the Rush Creek team with Kathy Irwin skippering and Robin Jackson, Kristin Zagray and Nancy Flynn as crew. Click here for the complete results.