KASHMIR Takes J/111 Class(Chicago, IL)- The annual regatta that marks the start of the offshore sailing season in Chicago on Lake Michigan is Columbia YC’s Goose Island Colors Regatta. There was an enormous turnout of J/crews supporting the event and, for the J/111s especially, marked the first major event where crews could get their game on in time for the upcoming J/111 North American Championship hosted by Chicago YC in a fortnight.
What has also become abundantly clear in the past few months of sailing on Lake Michigan is that the mighty little J/88 is simply cleaning up in offshore events from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Chicago, Illinois, to South Haven, Michigan. In the Colors Regatta Offshore 2 division, the J/88 RAMBLER sailed by Ben Wilson took first place followed by Boyd Jarrell’s J/88 SLOT MACHINE in fourth place. In the Offshore 1 division, Frank Giampoli’s J/120 JAHAZI took third in class filled with 40 to 75 footers!
In the world of one-designs, it was one of Chicago’s top J/111 teams that took home class honors and bragging rights leading into the J/111 NA’s coming up in mid-June- the triumphant trio of Karl Brummel, Steve Henderson and Mike Mayer drove KASHMIR to a convincing victory with four 1sts in just five races! Second was long-distance traveler Bennet Greenwald and crew from San Diego YC on PERSEVERANCE with all top three finishes for just 11 pts total. Tied at 21 pts each were Rich Witzel’s ROWDY and Bill Smith’s WOOTON, with the nod going to Witzel’s crew for third overall. Taking fifth was the fast-learning crew on Kevin Saedi’s MOMENTUS, a past J/109 Great Lakes Championship team.
Taking home class honors in the J/109 class was Peter Priede’s FULL TILT with three bullets in five races. Second was Jim Murray’s CALLISTO and third was Jack Toliver’s VANDA III.
The inmates were definitely running THE ASYLUM, with Jon Weglarz leading the charge in the J/105 fleet with an insanely low score of 6 pts; a result of winning four races and having to tolerate a 2nd in the second race of the first day. Nevertheless, behind their blindingly bright performance it was a horse-race for the balance of the podium. A trio of boats were at it hammer and tong all weekend, with Ken Ganch’s GONZO just squeaking out a second place by one point over the next two boats. Then, third was determined by a tie-breaker with both boats sitting on 15 pts each; Mike Sheppard’s FLYING PIG taking the bronze over Clark Pellet’s SEALARK. Fifth place went to Judith & Ross McLean’s ESPRIT D’ECOSSE. For more Goose Island Colors Regatta sailing information
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