(Algarrobo, Chile) Andrew Kerr recently spent some time down in Chile
enjoying the enormously gracious hospitality of the Chilean J/105 Fleet
and providing them a sailing clinic on how to sail J/105s faster.
Here's Andrew's report:"The Growing J105 fleet in Chile recently hosted a 3 day seminar at Club de Yates Algarrobo in Algarrobo on Chile’s beautiful coastline. Algarrobo is a fantastic venue for sailing and to bring your family and friends and the Yacht club is a very friendly club that is excited about having active one-design sailing and a fleet like the J/105.
Daniel Gonzalez, the fleet Captain, and Juan Reid of J-Boats CHILE organized the clinic and I (Andrew Kerr) came in from the USA to coach the seminar. Local sailor Phillip Goyeneche helped with translating the technical terms of Sailing and did a fantastic job, Phillip has spent time in the USA and is also fluent in German, he is a remarkable person!
TEN
J/105 teams attended the clinic, we spent 3 day’s sailing right in
front of the yacht club in light, medium and heavier conditions which
was perfect for teams as they developed there techniques and boat
handling. We would meet in the morning in the classroom for a talk on
topics such as starting techniques and tuning and then sail a very short
course with lots of starts and mark rounding’s all of which were
videotaped by Andrew for review back at the shore side debrief.What is fantastic about the J/105 is how it is great for family and friends to sail on – Daniel Gonzalez regularly sails with his 3 daughters, Vernon Robert who is a really good J/24 sailor sails with his father steering, he trims the mainsail and his sons trim and are on the foredeck. Many teams sail with family on board and the fleet emphasizes family and friends, good sailing and good camaraderie on and off the water.
The J/105 fleet is growing fast in Chile and with people like Daniel, Juan , Vernon and Phillip and many others the J/105 fleet will flourish, there are already 16 boats in the area with many sailors expressing interest in the boat and the fleet. A big "Thank You" to the fleet and Yacht club for all its hospitality, I am very much looking forward to going back to Chile and seeing my new friends! For more J/105 sailboat information
