Saturday, August 23, 2014

J/35 North Americans Preview

J/35 one-design offshore sailboat (Muskegon, MI)- The Muskegon YC will be hosting this year’s J/35 North American Championship from August 21st to 24th on the beautiful, crystal-clear, Caribbean-blue waters of Lake Michigan.  Situated on the eastern shore of the lake, Muskegon enjoys the twin benefits of having the prevailing strong westerlies that develop over this large inland sea to provide big waves and big winds for the sailors.  In addition, if dying cold fronts lose their steam, the enormous sand dunes along the eastern side of the lake form perfect “heat sinks” that help produce strong thermals along the beach from the SSE all day long.

In for a treat will be a very strong fleet of eight J/35s, amongst the best in the greater Midwest and including amongst them numerous Chicago-Mackinac and Port Huron-Mackinac race winners as well as several past J/35 NA winners.

The only visiting team from Canada is Bob Vander Ploeg’s BOBSLED from Thunder Bay YC, Ontario.  They will be up against a rogue’s gallery of J/35 teams from the Lake Michigan fleet, including Larry Taunt’s BAD DOG from the host club, Bruce Metcalf’s BOZO’S CIRCUS, Dave Timmer’s HAT TRICK, Jack Andree’s HOUQUA, and Gregg Whipple’s WHIPLASH.

Challenging the Lake Michigan contingent will be two very good Detroit (Day’twah) boats, Ed Bayer’s FALCON and Bill Wildner’s MR BILL’S WILD RIDE.  Don’t let these guys fool you, they really do know how to sail their boats fast no matter how much beer you serve them!!

The racing amongst this group of passionate J/35 sailors promises to be fun, spirited and full of camaraderie amongst this close-knit community of J/sailors.   For more J/35 North Americans sailing information