(Santander, Spain)- The J/80 fall racing season for the Real Club Maritimo de Santander recently started with competition for the Trophy Nextel Engineering, a series of races held over several weekends.
As one might expect from one of the world's more competitive J/80 fleets, the class leaders were out in force as early training for their participation in the upcoming J/80 Worlds in Newport, RI. After two days of racing with very close situations creating a lot of passing amongst the top five boats, it was MABLE-EDICIONES ENCUENTRO sailed by Jose Miguel Oriol and Alberto Padron as the early leader in the series.
A total of sixteen J/80s are competing. Pichu Torcida's team on ECC VIVIENDAS is doing well, as is Herreria's team on Groupe Rhine. Currently, MABLE leads with 4 points followed by GROUPE RHINE with 5 points, ECC VIVIENDAS with 7 points and NEXTEL ENGINEERING with 8 points! Next weekend promises to be a very good test of these teams, the last before they many fly over to America to sail the J/80 Worlds. For more J/80 Spain sailing information.