SAVASANA Leading J/105s, STARK RAVING MAD Dominating PHRF A
(Key West, FL)- Today's forecast for the first time fulfilled the expectations for all sailing this year's regatta. The prognostication of 15-20 knots early from SSE and fading towards afternoon were accurate with all courses having to watch what was happening on the right hand side of the course.
On the Division 1 course, regatta leader in IRC2, David Murphy's J/122 PUGWASH is sailing well but has dropped to second overall based on today's races. Robin Team's J/122 TEAMWORK faired a little worse in the weeks' shifty, streaky wind conditions and have dropped to fifth overall with a reasonable shot at a third overall. Jim Bishop's J/44 GOLD DIGGER has had an unusually variable week and lies seventh, but only six points out of third. The tale of the tape on Friday will certainly flip-flop the standings yet again.
The Division 2 course with J/105s and J/80s has seen some incredibly competitive racing. For the J/105s, it's Brian Keane's SAVASANA that is leading the fleet by a significant margin of sixteen points....almost not having to sail the last day their lead is so large. However, the next three places from second to fourth is completely wide open. Essentially, a three-way tie exists between Ken Colburn's GHOST, Scooter Simmons BLACKHAWK and Damian Emery's ECLIPSE. Who beats who on the last two races determines the top three. What has been heartwarming to see are good performances by a variety of J/105 class veterans and newcomers like Travis Weisleder on LUCKY DOG, Carter Williams much improved team on CREATIVE DESTRUCTION and Ed Palm's team on TENACIOUS. Special note- we wish our best to Ed Palm and his team since the house they rented in Key West burned to the ground Wednesday night!
The J/80s are conducting their Midwinters and is a harbinger of which American (and British) teams will be competitive at the impending J/80 Worlds in Newport later in 2010. The top four is a true horse race with only nine points separating the group. Each day brings a new leader to the top of the pack. Currently, Glen Darden on EL TIGRE is showing their transom lights to everyone else by a six point margin. Fighting it out for the top four spots include Rod and Jeff Johnstone in second racing LITTLE FEAT, Will Welles on RASCAL and Al Minella on RELENTLESS. Just off the pace is past World Champion and current North American Champion Kerry Klingler sailing LIFTED in fifth place. Also, you can read more about what's happening on the J/80 race course by reading Chuck Allen's Sailing World blog at http://tinyurl.com/j80chuckallen
The Stock Island located Division 3 course for PHRF boats has seen two fantastic performances by two enthusiastic J Owners. In PHRF 1, Jim Madden's J/125 STARK RAVING MAD and his merry bandits from the San Diego/ LA area (including Gary Weisman and Benny Mitchell), have simply had a wonderful time in Key West and sailed away with PRHF A with eight straight bullets so far!
In PHRF 2, Bill Sweetser's J/109 RUSH continues to be a fleet leader and is sitting just one point out of first place Thursday afternoon. Their four firsts are and average of just over second place is testimony to their consistency.
In PHRF 3, the three J/24s continue to have fun, close racing amongst themselves despite the variable wind conditions. Mark Milne's BLAH BLAH BLAH is currently in second and just behind is Naroski/LeBlanc's NOJOE in third. Stay tuned! For regatta information and sailing results, please go to: http://www.premiere-racing.com/KW10_Results/kw10_results_reports.htm
