Friday, December 26, 2014

SCIMITAR Repeats J/105 Chilean Championship

J/105s sailing off Algarrobo, Chile
(Algarrobo, Chile)- Over a three-day weekend in December (the 6th to 9th), the last event of 2013-14 Chilean J/105 National Championship took place off Algarrobo.  An excellent, highly competitive field of seventeen teams were on the starting line, ready to do battle to determine the season-ending leaders for this hot local offshore fleet.

The weekend’s weather Gods smiled on the 105 sailors, providing them great wind conditions, with 10 to 15 knots southwest breezes (the best local wind) and enormous waves over 6.5 foot tall!

J/105 Scimitar sailing off Algarrobo, ChileFrom the earlier regattas, it was clear the three teams that were dominating those events would have to settle in for a three-way battle for the top spots on the podium.  Or, they would have to contend with a “late bloomer”, a new team ready to ascend the leadership with better tacticians or crew.

Repeating as they had from 2013, Team SCIMITAR skippered by José Ugarte, finished in the first place thanks to their consistent 1sts, 2nds and 3rds.  Miguel Salas’ BIG BOOTY followed closely with 34 points to take second overall, but had to win a tie-breaker over the PLAN B team skippered by Jorge González.  PLAN B got the short end of that stick due to fewer top three finishes.

The Chilean J/105 fleet will race again in the "Sailing Week 2015", where many class and fleets join to celebrate this event. This will take place from 24 to 31 January of 2015 off Algarrobo as well.