(Cleveland, OH)- The Edgewater Yacht Club is hosting the 2019 edition of the J/70 North American Championship for the world’s largest and most popular sportboat class from September 24th to 29th. The thirty-five teams are now sailing on the challenging waters of Lake Erie, famous for its severe chop and rapidly changing winds along their city waterfront.
The fleet was greeted with postcard-perfect conditions on the first day of competition. A south breeze from 12-16 knots and gusts in the 20s meant perfect planing opportunities. Adding in sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s, everyone relished the three races to kick off the Championship.
Oivind Lorentzen’s team on NINE (with crew of Lucas Calabrese, Ian Coleman and Will Felder) rocked all three contests to take the early advantage with 6 points, after posting a 1-2-3. John and Molly Baxter’s TEAM VINEYARD VINES (with crew of Allan Terhune and Ben Lamb) started with a seventh and added two bullets for 9 points and second place. 2016 J/70 World Champion Joel Ronning on CATAPULT (with crew of Victor Diaz De Leon, Christopher Stocke, and Patrick Wilson) is only one point behind the Baxters in third with scores of 5-3-2.
The second day dawned with grey, leaden skies that ultimately cleared for a spectacular sunny day of racing. As the front and skies cleared, a strong northwest breeze filled in blowing 15-20 kts, with gusts in the high 20s. What made the day an epic experience were the monster waves (e.g. giant chop) that made for some hair-raising, double-digit planing speeds on the downwind runs.
Following a redress hearing, Lorentzen’s NINE kept a slight grip on their lead with 8.3 points (2.3-3 on the day). It looked as though Ronning’s CATAPULT had moved into first. However, they now hold second place with 9 points. The Baxter’s TEAM VINEYARD VINES fell to third place with two fifths for 12 pts total.
John Brim’s RIMETTE took a bullet for the day’s first race, bringing them to fourth overall at 13 points. Following one point back is Bruce Golison’s MIDLIFE CRISIS.
Ronning, who won the day’s final contest, said, “the Worlds’ swells were very vertical while the swells here are wide and further apart, which led to an amazing downwind sleigh ride. You felt like you were on a cliff floating above the wave sometimes looking 7 feet down. It was a cool experience.”
ROSEBUD’s Pamela Rose said she is excited to be one of two women skippers at the Championship, “very exciting, very similar conditions from the Worlds’ experience in 2018. It was exhilarating racing; we clocked 20 kts going downwind!!”
Martin Johnsson’s AQUAHOLIKS crew of Jorgen Johnsson, Lindsay Hernandez and August Hernandez continued to maintain their advantage in the Corinthian division.
Racing continues through Saturday. Photos are available on the International J/70 Class Facebook page. Sailing photo credits- Tim Wilkes For more J/70 North American sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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