J/24, J/105 & J/109 One-Designs Racing
Organizers of the third annual Seattle NOOD regatta are hoping this year's event differs from last year's in one key way - more wind. Last year's National Offshore One-Design Regatta (NOOD) in Seattle was hampered by light winds over three days of racing, prompting some races to be canceled. This year's NOOD is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 14 to 16, on Shilshole Bay. "I'm praying for more wind than what we had last year", regatta chief George Brengle said on Monday. "I'm looking at the forecast and it looks like a carbon copy of last year's".Northwest racers, familiar with the regions variable conditions, simply take it all in stride. As many of them say, "if it ain't happenin' on the water, there's always the beer tent-- why do you think we have the world's best micro-breweries?!" Enough said. J/24s area gearing up for their North American Championships next week at Seattle's Corinthian YC. A strong contingent of experienced J/24 sailors have assembled to sail their J/24 Western Regional Championship. Amongst the teams sailing are Mike Whitfield on TMC RACING from San Francisco, CA, Scott Milne from Seattle, WA on TREMENDOUS SLOUCH, and Pat Toole on THREE BIG DOGS from Santa Barbara, CA. It's already clear who'll win the Long-Distance Award, Hidetuki Miyagawa from the Wakayama Sailing Club in Wakayama, Japan-- they're taking this regatta seriously! Other J One-Design classes have a good turnout, including seven J/105s and six J/109s. For more Sperry Topsider Seattle NOOD Regatta info. Photo credit- Tim Wilkes.