Winning moves from the J/105 champions

Sailfaster: The No 1 podcast for racing sailors

Prepare to hear from Randy Hecht and Russ Silvestri’s masterclass on the finer points of sailing a J/105! Randy and Russ raced their J/105 Niuhi to back-to-back North American championships on the breezy waters of San Francisco Bay in 2022 and Rye, New York in 2023, only the latest in a long career of sailing success. From collegiate sailing in California to being pipped by Dennis Connor in the 1976 Olympic trials and winning the Pacific Coast Championships in the Etchell class, Randy was a regular on the West Coast racing circuit, but after coming second in the Etchell Worlds he took a 35-year break from sailing to concentrate on work and family. He jumped back in the game a few years ago on the Knarr, and then the J/105, winning championships in both classes on board boats named ‘Nuihi’ in partnership with long-time sailing partner Russ Silvestri. Russ’s sailing CV is equally impressive – he competed in four Olympic Trials, won five US titles and a Pan American Games silver medal in the Finn in 1999. He represented the USA at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the Finn class. He also participated in the US Challenger series for the 1987 and 2000 America’s Cup. He was a member of Tom Blackaller’s 1987 America's Cup team that raced in Perth with USA and its revolutionary foils, losing to Dennis Connor in the semifinals. Russ’ AC experience continued in 2000 when he was part of Paul Cayard’s America One team. Russ also won the 2014 Lipton Cup and the Grundig Cup in 2009 and 2010 and raced Laser boats at the World Masters Championships in 2002 and 2011.

So, two very accomplished sailors and as I found out, super nice guys too!