Saturday, November 26, 2016

A "Pied Piper" Wins Mexican J/70 National Championship

J/70s sailing on Valle de Bravo, Mexico (Valle de Bravo, Mexico)- Twenty teams sailed in the J/70 Mexico National Championship, held November 11-13 in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. After ten races, American Gannon Troutman’s PIED PIPER took the title, edging out Julian Fernandez (MEX) by four points. Fernandez was the top Mexican team.  Meanwhile, winning the Corinthian title on a tie-breaker was Ignacio Perez (MEX) over the top Women skipper- the American Mandi Hardesty!

Mandi Hardesty- 2nd Corinthians- Mexico NationalsThe fleet enjoyed three days of racing on the lake.  It was light at times, but good breezes always seemed to materialize, permitting the Club Campestre’s PRO to run ten races for the enthusiastic sailors!  After five races, it appeared, again, that Julian Fernandez’s FLOJITO Y COOPERANDO was going to run the table, posting a 2-3-1-1-2.  Not far off the pace was the young American skipper, Gannon Troutman, sailing PIED PIPER to a scoreline of 1-5-2-2-1.  Hanging in there was famous Mexican offshore yachtsman, Lorenzo Berho, sailing PELIGROSO “mini-me” to a strong 4-1-3-6-7 tally for third position.  Meanwhile, Danel Belausteguigoitia’s PURA VIDA, with a 5-4-7-3-3 tally, was only one point back in fourth place after five races.

However, the remaining five races produced hangovers for just about everyone!  What goes up, must come down.  And, vice versa.  Talk about a wild game of “snakes & ladders”, everyone in the top five just about swapped positions!  In the end, Troutman’s crew on PIED PIPER sailed the most consistently to win the regatta.  Fernandez’s FLOJITO Y COOPERANDO was second.  Third was Von Belausteguigoitia’s BULLET.  Fourth was PURA VIDA.  And, fifth was Berho’s PELIGROSO.  The Top Women skipper and tied for 1st in Corinthian fleet was Mandi Hardesty’s OHANA with her amazing crew of Jon Pinckney, Justin Law, and Joe Markee!  For more Mexican J/70 Nationals sailing information