Monday, November 2, 2015

McChesney Takes J/70 Fall Brawl Regatta

J/70s sailing Fall Brawl in Annnapolis (Eastport, MD- The Eastport YC and friends at Storm Trysail Club hosted the J/70 Fall Brawl Regatta, a popular event for J/70 sailors at it often marks the first stop heading south from the northeastern USA to Key West Race Week and other events on the winter circuit- like the Quantum J/70 Midwinter Circuit in Tampa, Florida.

The regatta saw light to moderate winds, shifty and streaky, that enabled the EYC PRO to run seven races for the thirty-one boats sailing the regatta.  Sailing a very consistent series was Peter McChesney from Annapolis YC, posting a 6-1-4-4-1-3-4 for 23 pts total to win the regatta by just four pts.

Tied with McChesney after Saturday’s racing but not able to keep up the pressure and the pace was Henry Filter’s WILD CHILD from Eastport YC.  Filter’s scoreline of 4-5-2-2-9-2-3 was good enough for 27 pts.

J/70 woman skipper- Jen Wulff sailing Annapolis Fall BrawlJust off the pace of the leaders and with a legitimate chance of winning the regatta going into the last race was Peter Bowe’s Annapolis YC team sailing TEA DANCE SNAKE.  After posting a 1-6-7-3-2-1 in the first six races, all Bowe’s crew had to do was finish 3rd or better to win the regatta.  Unfortunately, their can of “whupass” must’ve expired by midday, for they could only manage a 10th in the 7th race to take the bronze on the podium with 30 pts total.  It was TEA DANCE SNAKE’s best showing to date in a major J/70 regatta.

Rounding out the top five was Geoff Becker’s (current Lightning World Champion) PAPA WHEELIE from Severn Sailing Association, taking fourth overall with 43 pts.  Taking top women’s skipper award and holding on to 5th overall was Jen Wulff sailing with husband Ray and crew on JOINT CUSTODY.

More than half the fleet sailing the J/70 Fall Brawl are headed south to sail in the Quantum Key West Race Week and Quantum J/70 Winter Series at Davis Island YC in Tampa, Florida.   Sailing Photo credits- Dan Phelps/SpinSheet   For more J/70 Fall Brawl sailing information