Sunday, November 6, 2011

J/105s Debut @ Valparaiso

J/105 one-design sailboats- sailing off Chile (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:

J/105 sailboats- fleet ready to sail in Chile"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.