Morgan Connor clinches the 2024 Sonar World Championship with a diverse crew
by International Sonar Class Association 17 Sep 11:36 PDT
September 12-15, 2024
2024 Sonar World Championship © Noroton Yacht Club
The International Sonar Class Association hosted the 2024 World Championship at Noroton Yacht Club, Darien, CT, from September 12-15 on Long Island Sound. Thirty-one boats participated from the USA, Canada, and Ireland.
Long Island Sound is famous for its warm summer days, but few anticipated that those conditions would last into mid-September. On the first day, despite her best efforts, PRO Shannon Bush couldn’t produce enough wind to launch the fleet. The second day had a similar start, but after a prolonged wait on shore, the fleet finally went out and completed a light-air race before the wind faded again. With just one race completed, and a minimum of four needed for the Championship, hopes were high that the third day would bring better conditions. On Saturday, the fleet managed to complete two more light-air races. Everyone looked forward to the final day, hoping the forecasted 8-12 knot easterly would materialize.
On Sunday, the first warning signal was moved up to 0930 in the hopes of conducting four additional races. Ultimately, it became a fantastic day, resulting in four races in the expected breeze, and all competitors returned ashore smiling broadly.
Local sailor Morgan Connor from Noroton Yacht Club and his crew emerged victorious in the Championship. Their consistency was key, achieving finishes of 2-3-1-3-7-2, with the UFD in the seventh and final race counting as their dropped score. Their total of 17 net points set them six points ahead of Gavin Pace in second (23 points) and TK Kinney in third (36 points).
While the initial three days experienced light winds, Sunday’s 10-12 knot easterly against an ebbing current presented challenging racing conditions in a confused sea state. Drew Buttner, acting as Connor’s tactician, mentioned that they adjusted the jib cars depending on whether they were sailing into or across the waves. Event co-chairs Janet Grapengeter and Michael Rudnick—who also raced—commented on the need for constant trimming of both the jib and main sails amid the changing wave and wind conditions.
Connor remarked on the fierce competition during the Championship, with race victories shared among top participants and at least 15 of the 31 boats achieving a top-5 finish. Notably, the crew composition was particularly interesting: sailing with Drew Buttner for the first time since college, Morgan also included his 16-year-old son, Wells, on bow. Additionally, Jan Raymond, the boat owner, became the oldest sailor to win a Sonar (and possibly any major) one-design World Championship at 81 years of age.
The International Sonar Class Association extends its gratitude to Noroton Yacht Club for their hospitality, to Commodore Katie Mitchell for her encouragement throughout the weekend, and to Class President Paul Steinborn, who competed on his own boat with Gavin Pace steering to finish second.
The next Sonar Class World Championship in 2026 will be held in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Noteworthy: During Saturday’s dinner, Betsy Allison from US Sailing presented the President’s Award to long-time Sonar Class member and measurer Gene Henkel, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Class, particularly his leadership in adapting Sonars and other classes for Paralympic sailing.
View Full Results Here.
