JAYC 100: The 1990s
This is the sixth weekly installment in a series about the history of JAYC, leading up to the JAYC100 Celebration at AYC in June.
JAYC roared through the 1990s and toward the millennium. JAYCers continued to sail Optimists, Blue Jays, Lasers, and Laser Radials. The International 420 was replaced by the Club 420 in 1994, though many JAYCers continued to race the International 420 beyond JAYC. The JAYC House was renovated over the winter of 1991-1992 since decades of activity had demonstrated the need for an upgraded space and additional storage for JAYCers to keep their gear. AYC and Larchmont began a weekly friendly racing series, the Delancey Cup.
On the racecourse, JAYCers continued to demonstrate sportsmanship and skilled racing abilities. AYC dominated the JSA 420 championships during the 1990s, with six combined victories, thanks to stellar sailing by James Wadsworth, Samantha Barnes, Jago MacLeod, Brennan Gerster, Brett MacLeod, Ryan Mahoney, Scott Elwell, Brad Neuberth, Tripp Howard, Chris Ralli, and Cara Toretta. James Wadsworth and Brett MacLeod won the Clinton Bell Trophy for the JSA season in 1992, and JAYCers won the 420 season trophy eight years in a row, 1990-1997! AYC won the McIntyre Team Race Championship in 1993 and 1995. Ryan Mahoney and Dod Fraser won the Blue Jay season trophy in 1993. Jennifer Bruce and Hilary Norman took home the JSA Girls Championship in 1990, and Clemmie Everett won it in 1998. Equally, if not more significantly, AYC sailors were frequent recipients of the JSA’s Mitchell Weeks Sportsmanship Award. The JSA tradition of having the winning club at champs host the next year’s event, paired with the facts that AYC’s location and facilities could accommodate large regattas and AYC’s race committee reliably runs top-notch events meant that AYC often found itself hosting large regattas. In fact, in 1998, AYC hosted US Sailing Junior Olympics/Youth Champs. Fortunately, the wind cooperated and several days of competitive racing were held!
Beyond Long Island Sound, JAYCers celebrated when Courtney Becker Dey won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics. The following year, in 1997, JAYCers mourned together when Brooke Gonzalez, a top sailor who was known for her cheerful and friendly demeanor, died in a tragic car accident. Brooke is remembered today with both JAYC and JSA perpetual awards.
Next week: JAYC in the 2000s
