Tuesday, April 7, 2015

MISS CONDUCT Crushes Texas Circuit #1

J/24s sailing Galveston Bay- Houston, TX (Houston, Texas)- The first circuit stop of the J/24 Texas Circuit was hosted by GBCA (Galveston Bay Cruising Association) during their Performance Cup Regatta from March 20-22.

Twelve J/24s representing two yacht clubs, Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club and Austin Yacht Club, competed in Galveston Bay during the two-day racing event.

On Friday, with the weather forecast looking ominous and rainy for Saturday, all competitors were prepared to participate in some wet racing. What we were not prepared for was a full day of non-stop raining. At times, the downpour was so hard that you could not see a quarter mile ahead of your boat. However, with temperatures around 71 degrees and winds holding steady between 5 and 8 knots from the North to NNE, racing was a go. The race committee was able to complete three races and was ready to run a fourth before the fleet collectively decided to head to shore to dry out.

J/24s sailing Galveston Bay, Houston, TXSunday the competitors were treated to a warm and dry day with temperatures around 75 and winds between 10 and 12 knots mostly from the WNW. Two races were completed on Sunday.

There were several newcomers to the Texas Circuit as it continues to grow with new competitors. One of our fairly new competitors, James Freedman on MISS CONDUCT, made his presence known by finishing with 3 bullets, a second and third to clinch the win for the J/24 fleet and the overall GBCA Performance Cup. Finishing in second was Natalie Penner on GIGGLES, and third was Kelly Holmes-Moon on BAD MOON. Winning the tiebreaker for fourth place was David Broadway on SUPERMAN, with John Parker on CHUPACABRA in fifth. Full results can be found on the J/24 Texas website- http:/www.j24texas.com.

A huge thank you goes to GBCA and the Seabrook Shipyard for hosting this event, and to the competitors who traveled to compete in the first J/24 Texas Circuit stop of 2015.  Thanks for contribution from Tonja Holmes-Moon.    Sailing photo credits- John Lacy