Saturday, January 9, 2016

Quantum J/70 Winter Series II Preview

J/70s sailing off starting line (Tampa, FL)- The second act of the Quantum J/70 Winter Series will be taking place from January 9th to 10th at Davis Island YC on Tampa Bay.  The forecast for the weekend will provide challenging conditions to the record fifty-two entries from across the USA.  Saturday is showing a weak front moving across the Florida peninsula with winds from the East, shifting Southeast into midday, then veering into the Southwest after the frontal ridge passes- winds are forecasted to be 8-17 knots.  Then, on Sunday the fleet will be treated to the backside of the cold front with sunny skies, temps in the mid 60s, and Northwest winds of 8 to 15 kts!

J/70 Vineyard VinesWill the VINEYARD VINES team lead by John & Molly Baxter count on their lucky charms to keep them in the hunt, on pace and near the front of the pack?? Now that they are no longer J/70 “newbies”, having won the first event, they can be certain that many teams will be hoping to emulate their good fortune. Top crews in the Open Division that should be giving them a run-for-the-money include Tom Bowen’s REACH AROUND, Geoff Becker’s USA 25, Will Welles’ SCAMP, Doug Strebel’s BLACK RIVER RACING, Al Terhune’s DAZZLER and Joel Ronning’s CATAPULT.

In the 21 boat Corinthian’s Division, it will certainly be another donnybrook between Mark Foster’s crew on NO-PRO, the winners back in December, and Rob Britts’ HOT MESS, the 2015 Corinthian Champion. Look for other teams to up their game and contend for division honors like Brian Elliott’s B-SQUARED, Noel Clinard’s LOONATICTU and Chuck Millican’s Bermuda team on ELUSIVE.  For more Quantum J/70 Winter Series II sailing information