(Puerto Montt, Chile)- For many sailors who have cruised the world, one
of the most magical (and challenging), places to sail has to be the
archipelagos and fjords at the southern tip of South America. Given the
right conditions and boat and friends, it can be nothing short of one
of the most amazing sailing experiences one would ever encounter. Then
again, if you're a Chilean or Argentinean sailor, you may be spoiled. One of the most significant sailing events in Chile every year takes place at the end of January at the height of the Chilean summer. Down in the Chiloe Fjords about 1,000 nautical miles south of Santiago, Chile is a "fun regatta". Fun, indeed! Spectacular may be more like it. Throw in great sailing, a great host, the best "surf and turf" all naturally fed along with delicious Chileans wines and you simply have a recipe that's nearly unbeatable as well as singularly impossible to resist. Many Chileans sailors make the epic journey every year to do yet-- who can blame them!
This year, eight J/105s sailed in the event over a week long regatta. The teams experienced everything the southern oceans could throw at them, tough wind conditions, seas, currents, crazy climate, but spectacular and sunny, nonetheless. The lack of wind during the first days of competition made the racing a bit more complicated. But, during the week the wind conditions got better and the races more competitive. The regatta ended with strong winds that reached nearly 30 kts for the closing day of the event.
A total of thirteen J's (J/105, J/24 and J/80) sailed in the 49 boat fleet separated into different classes. The J/105's raced as a one-design class within the IRC3 class. The J/105 RECLUTA IV finished 4th in the IRC3 and first in the J/105 class overall. The RECLUTA IV team was a family team composed of father, son, uncle and friends of the Pérez family, very good and traditional sailors from Recreo Yacht Club, in Valaparaiso Bay. Fourth place in the IRC3 class is a great finish considering Recluta IV beat X-37s and other full IRC-oriented boats.
As the J/105 class in Chile looks forward into the 2012 sailing calendar, please note the Chilean National J/105 Championships will be sailed on March 17-18th in Algarrobo Bay. FIFTEEN J/105s are expected for this regatta!
