Saturday, October 19, 2013

CARRERA + MENDIETA Tied @ J/24 Buenos Aires Race Week

J/24s sailing off Buenos Aires, Argentina on Rio de la Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina)- It would be fairly certain that no one could've foreseen the outcome of this year's J/24 Buenos Aires Race Week hosted by the famous YC Argentino.  Sailing was ferociously close for the top three contenders at this year's event.  The fleet was blessed with gorgeous sailing conditions on the Rio de la Plata, sailed just offshore in front of the picturesque, bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires.

J/24s ready to go racing off Buenos Aires, ArgentinaBy winning the first three races in a row, everyone apparently concluded that Matias Pereira and crew on CARRERA were simply a "runaway" and could never be caught.  So, the rest of the fleet resigned themselves to racing for the remaining podium spots.  However, while no can explain exactly how it happened, but either Pereira and some of his crew (like the tactician?) suffered temporary amnesia or perhaps they all had a few too many cervezas the night before.  Nevertheless, their last two races were a complete meltdown, posting two 6ths to nearly lose the regatta to Francisco Van Avermaete on MENDIETA.  To their credit, MENDIETA sailed a steady series with all finishes scored in the top three.  Both boats tied on points with 9 apiece, with CARRERA crowned as BARW champion due to their three firsts.

Behind the top two boats was another close battle for five boats in all, in fact it was an anxiety-ridden "nail biter" until the very last race.  After the dust settled on the battleground, it was Alejo Rigoni's CHUCHA NO SOY McCENROE taking the third spot on the podium with 13 pts.  Fourth was Nicolas Cubria's RINA with 16 pts. Fifth was Sergio Pendola's CACIQUE with 18 pts, beating Pedro Garra's EXTASIS on a tie-breaker.  And seventh in this group was Fernando Montes's COCOON with 19 pts!  For more J/24 Buenos Aires Race Week sailing information