Wednesday, December 20, 2017

J/24 Midwinters Update

J/24 sailing one-design racing (Coconut Grove, FL)- Was it sunny Miami? Lovely Biscayne Bay? The host Shake-A-Leg Miami (who is still working on replacing their Hurricane Irma damaged docks)? Or, the organizer “Twelve USA” (Mark Pincus and Sara Zanobini) that caused the 2018 J/24 Midwinters (March 2nd to 4th, 2018) to sell out (max 40 boats) so quickly? It was almost as fast a “sell-out” as Coral Reef Yacht Club’s 39th Annual Orange Bowl Regatta where the Optis' 300 available slots sold out in 10 minutes.

So far, the handicap form is looking good, with many top teams represented from across America, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.  In fact, there are a number of World, North America, and National Champions in the mix.  Ironically, the long distance award has to be Mark Laura’s BABA LOUIE from Seattle, WA, the farthest distance away from Miami, FL that you could possibly imagine- 6 hours 45 minutes flying time for some members of the crew, but a 3,302 mile drive in 50 hours for the boat!  Joining them will be other top crews like Will Welles’ BOGUS from Newport, RI; Travis Odenbach’s HONEY BADGER from Rochester, NY; Aidan Glackin’s MENTAL FLOSS from Huntington, NY; Mark Pincus’ SCOUT’S HONOR from Miami, FL; Tony Parker’s BANGOR PACKET from Washington, DC; John Mollicone and Tim Healy’s HELLY HANSEN from Newport, RI; and Ken Porter’s MONSTER FISH from Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

Four very good women’s teams will also be participating, such as Natalie Harden’s GIGGLES from Austin, TX; Elaine Haher’s A GOOD HAIR DAY from Atlantic Highlands, NJ; Erica Beck Spencer’s SEA BAGS WOMEN’S SAILING TEAM from Portland, ME; and Tonja Holmes-Moon’s SIREN from Denton, TX.  Should be fun!  For more 2018 J/24 Midwinter Championship sailing information. Add to Flipboard Magazine.