J/24, J/80 and J/105 One-Designs Sailing(Seattle, WA)- The Emerald City as it's known in the Pacific Northwest is getting ready to host its annual spring sailing extravaganza, the Sperry Topsider Seattle NOOD Regatta, on the spectacular waters of Puget Sound. With enormous snow-capped mountains in the background and lush green pine forests cascading down the slopes, the setting could not be more picturesque. With a forecast of partly cloudy skies and light to moderate southerly winds, it gives hope to the "locals" who are used to sailing in one of the "wettest" metropolitan cities in the world (average 220 rain-days per year). The sailors may yet have a beautiful weekend of sailing to start off the Seattle sailing season. Even then, lousy weather, rain, fog, drizzle don't dampen the spirits of sailors in these parts, it's all just part of the laid-back, fun-loving atmosphere.
There is a strong contingent of J Sailors participating in the regatta in three one-design classes of J/24s, J/80s and J/105s. In the fourteen boat J/24 class, some familiar names that have been near the top of the leader board over time will be present. Amongst those contenders will be Scott Milne on TREMENDOUS SLOUCH, Mark Laura on TUNDRA ROSE, Richard Bustamante on HABANERO and Noel Morgan on JOSS.
In the J/80 class, it's a tougher call since most of the boats are well-sailed in a small fleet. Nevertheless, past participants like Bryan Rhoes on CRAZY IVAN, David Schutte on TAJ MAJAL and Bill McKinnon on SKYE ROCKET will be in the hunt. Perhaps they'll all have a bit of anxiety if HEART ATTACK sailed by Joel Shapiro beats them all!
The J/105s have a number of good teams returning from last year as well as some new additions. Certainly looking for podium finishes based on past performance will be Lorenzo Migliorini's ALLEGRO VIVACE, Jim Geros' LAST TANGO, Doug Schenk's FREE BOWL OF SOUP and Jerry Diercks' DELIRIUM. For more Sperry Topsider Seattle NOOD Regatta sailing information
