Sunday, October 6, 2013

Rocha Wins J/80 Spanish Nationals!

J/80 sailing Spanish National Championship off Puerto Sherry, Spain (Puerto Sherry, Spain)- It would seem that Portuguese sailor Hugo Rocha is on a roll!  After winning this year's J/80 World Championships in Marseilles, France, Rocha can now add the crown of 2013 Spanish National Champion to his list of victories!  In doing so, Rocha beat out another J/80 World J/80 Spanish Champions- Hugo RochaChampion, Jose Maria "Pichu" Torcida sailing AILA for the top spot.  Taking third was Paul Arrarte on NEXTEL-TIPSA.

Twenty-four teams took part in the nine races sailed over three days on the waters off the beautiful harbor of Puerto Sherry on Spain's Atlantic (west) coast.  The wind conditions remained fairly light for most of the regatta, making tactics even more difficult in the notorious tides and currents in the Bay-- even the J/80 women's champions- Spanish Nationals- Puerto Sherry, Spain"locals" were having a difficult time figuring out the best strategies, as reflected by their roller-coaster finishing scores.  Nevertheless, Rocha seemed to have a good handle on the conditions, taking the regatta lead on the second day to never relinquish it, gathering five 1st places along the way to win by 7 pts.  Early regatta leader, Arrarte on NEXTEL-TIPSA fell on hard times in the last four races, dropping into the third position.  Filling out the top five were Carlos Martinez on DELTASTONE taking fourth and Juan Luis Paez taking fifth.

The top women's team award went to the Andalusian ladies, led by their very experienced and very fast skipper- Julia Vallo Arjonilla.  Sailing photo credits- Luis Fernández  For more Spanish J/80 Championship sailing information