(Sydney, Australia)- Like their counterparts in the recent Chicago-Mac
Race in America, the J/109s Down Under continue to also throw a few
curving boomerangs at their competitors in the offshore series off
Sydney.Tim Ryan, who rarely has time to race and complete a full race series due to work and other commitments, skippered his 10 year old J/109 VAMOS to a superb division win in Sydney Harbour's prestigious CYCA’s Offshore Winter Series. Apparently, Ryan's J/109 is in as immaculate a condition as the day it was launched in 2002!
The diverse, large and many say most competitive division sailing in the series is Class D; with 23 boats racing comprised of Beneteau 35’s, 40.7, Matt 1010, Summit 35, OD 35, Northshore 369, & 5 x Sydney 36’s to name a few.
There was a variety of conditions ranging from 5 kt westerlies to a 50 kt gear-buster, causing racing to be abandoned for the day. The boat went well across the spectrum, performing particularly well downwind under the enormous spinnaker designed by Ian Short.
Ryan commented on their recent sailing experiences, "In one race early in the series races I sailed around the wrong mark and had to retire so we had a lot to make up."
He goes on to say, "I am delighted with boat and how it’s performed against much newer designed craft available today proving just how good the J/109 is to start with. We had a new crew ranging in age from a 17 year old rookie bowman, to some more experienced crew sailing in the back of the boat. We even had 2 of our sons, Calvin and Ethan sailing during the series. Another reason to celebrate our win.
With a score-line of 1-2-3-5-5-5, the closest boat finished 4 points behind VAMOS despite our self-inflicted retirement. We had to sail well in the last race, as we were one point behind, and luckily sailed a near perfect race." To learn more about the J/109 offshore cruiser-racer.
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