(Valparaiso, Chile)- Five J/105s sailed in the official debut of the
J/105 Class in the famous Valparaiso Regatta in Chile. The J/105s were
the second most important class after the Soto 40s. The J/105s sailed
over two days in light winds from 5 to 10 knots, something rare for the
bay at this time of the year, where strong winds are more often the
normal conditions. Here's the report from Juan Eduardo Reid on the
J/105's development in Chile, on South America's Pacific coastline:
"On
Friday, one race was scheduled and the fleet was not able to race due
to lack of wind. On Saturday the condition were unstable during the
morning with winds getting to 5 knots. The first race started at 3pm
after 2 hours of delay due to light wind condition. During the second
race of the day the wind died and re-built from the ocean with a big
split in the fleet. The PRO provided the fleet with windward-leeward
courses. For Sunday the wind was more stable, the races were postponed
until 13:30 hours and 2 races where finished for a final program of 5
races. Windward/leeward courses with 5-8 knots of breeze and flat water
provided good, fair sailing for the fleet.Daniel González and Claudio León's TRICALMA won with a family crew (3 of Daniel's daughters!). Second overall, with a family crew as well was ARQUIMIDES sailed by Vernon Robert. Third was Rodrigo Gumucio/Pablo Cisternas's SPIN OFF.
A mostly woman crew on-board TRI CALMA and also Antonio Gonzalez's PLAN B show the great potential of the class in Chile to include excellent sailors from different ages and experiences- such as 420, Laser and the active base of J/24 sailors with a lot of family sailing experience (all amateurs compared to the professional Soto 40 crews).
The annual calendar of the J/105 class continues with the Interclub Regatta on November 12-13th in Algarrobo Bay. 10 boats are expected for that event as some of the boats are still getting to Chile in October/November this year. By the end of the year 14 boats are expected in Algarrobo Bay and 20 in the central coast of Chile as Higuerillas/Recreo is starting to develop local fleet as well." While their counter-parts in Argentina and Brazil may have a step-up on them, don't under-estimate the Chilean's, nor the Columbian's, determination to excel in the sport of sailing-- after all, they too are seafaring nations as part of their rich national heritage and love the ocean- a source of work, food, as well as play.
