A re-scheduled event, the District 7 Championship was sailed August 15-16 on Lake Ontario off Oswego, NY. Fourteen boats completed the five race series in weather that was better suited for swimming than sailing. Temps were forecast to be in the 90's and the high pressure system in the area would likely produce light and shifty conditions.

In race one the breeze filled in to 6-8 knots from the southwest. Team Oz used the right side to build a solid lead as Jack Be Nimble was second and John Heretyks's Shockwave rounded out the top three.

Race two was sailed in similar conditions and produced similar results. Oz used an early left shift to cross the fleet while Jack Be Nimble was called over early and had to re-start. Charlie Krylo sailed Seaweed to a second place finish while Roger Voss's Spirit followed up a fourth place finish in race one with a third in race two.

Race three saw the wind die and fill from the north as Dr. Heeks and John Strummel's Innis Free were the benefactors, finishing first and second. The light air run produced several position changes with Jack DePeters on Jack Be Nimble collected a third, and Tom Doran's Oz clawed back to fourth.

Saturday's racing complete, the Oswego Yacht Club volunteers dished out the chicken dinners and poured Labatts Blue for the thirsty sailors. On the race course, Oz had been the most consistent with 6 points while Jack Be Nimble had 12 followed by Spirit (15), Shockwave (17, and Seaweed (17).

Sunday's, first race was sailed in a weak southwesterly that produced yet another winner. Russ Cook's Significant Other, found the drifting conditions to its liking as they crossed first. Seaweed was second, Shockwave was third, while Jack DePeters closed on Oz's lead finishing fourth.

In the final race of the series, Todd Salzman on Joint Venture and Oz were among the first to get to the lake breeze that filled from the right, finishing in that order. Charlie Elve, aboard Truck'n and former District Champion, Dan Peck had their best efforts, finishing third and fourth.

Consistency was the key for Team Oz (Tom Doran, Rob Doran, Dave Doran, and John Proano) as they ended up with 14 points, collecting the District 7 championship and a commanding lead in the 2009 District 7 Pennant Series, (with firsts at Canandaigua YC in May and this win). Meanwhile, second place was determined by a tie breaker as Jack Be Nimble edged Spirit with both finishing with 26 points. Fourth place was also determined by tie breaker as Seaweed edged Shockwave finishing with 27 points. Dan Peck's Plan B was sixth and Russ Cook finished seventh. The midfleet trophy for the best second day improvement was awarded to Joint Venture as they collected finishes of 12 and 1 on Sunday.

The final race of the District 7 Pennant Series will be held on October 3-4 at the Changing of the Colors Regatta on Lake George.

Complete results: 2009 J24 Pennant Series Results