Fourth Jet Star Race Brings In Relief Funds On Perfect Day, Racers Say

BRICK, NJ — For the fourth straight summer, sailors hit the Atlantic Ocean for the Jet Star Regatta, and in the process raised funds to help those who are still continuing to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.

On a perfect day for sailing, 15 boats raced from Point Pleasant Beach to Seaside Heights, heading for the spot where the Jet Star roller coaster sat in ruins, then turned and headed back north, past homes that still haven't been rebuilt and some that have been restored to a new glory.

The Jet Star Regatta, started four years ago by the Metedeconk River Yacht Club in Brick in the wake of Sandy ,to both pay respect to the communities of the barrier island and demonstrate the resilience of the Jersey Shore sailing community, raised funds for the Visitation Relief Center. The center, next to Visitation Roman Catholic Church in Brick, has assisted thousands of families in the wake of the storm. The nonprofit's assistance efforts continue, even as the fourth anniversary of the storm approaches.

The first across the line and winning the Spinnaker Division was David Alldian in his Sabre 362 Cymothoe, completing the almost 17-mile course in 3 hours and 15 minutes. Allan Ruiter steered Pedro Escadon’s Sabre 34 Sugaree to first place in the Sabre Division. Mark Connell’s Pearson 33 Sojourner won the Non-Spinnaker Division.

According to a report from regatta participants, the wind was light at the beginning, creating a difficult task for the boats as they bobbed at the starting line. But the breeze stiffened from the south as the sailors headed toward the old Thunderbird Hotel. By the time the leaders were halfway down the course, the wind was blowing in the low teens and the boats were moving. As they reached Seaside Heights and turned to return to the finish line and the Manasquan Inlet, gusts of 20 miles per hour or more were registered and the boats were all “wing to wing” as the following wind carried them home. Spinnakers were flying and the colorful array was easy to see from shore the entire ride back, participants said.

Afterward, the raffle conducted at the awards dinner included valuable prizes donated by Gill Sailing Equipment, Cedar Creek Sailing Center/Marina, Windward Tavern, US Sailing, Lemon & Lime, Annapolis Performance Sailing, Local Smoke BBQ, Plethora Boutique, and Reels at Pier 28.

The principal race officer, Dave Ruiter, called the race a perfect day. He was the recipient of the first Jet “Star” Award for his invaluable dedication to the event by serving as the principal race officer for three of the last four years. In accepting the award, he commented, “I can’t wait until I can race in the Jet Star.”

Complete results can be seen by clicking here.

Jet Star Regatta participants sail along the beach in Ocean County on Saturday. Photo provided by Mark Connell