(Seattle, WA)- The first of many races in the Center Sound Series took
place this past weekend. The Blakely Rocks Race is a 16.7nm dash up and
around a famous rock in the Sound and back to the finish line. Hosted
by Corinthian YC of Seattle the Center Sound Series continues all year
long and concludes in the fall. There are dozens of J/Teams that
compete in the event. Starting with Class 2, Mike Poole’s J/80 JOLLY GREEN won class, followed by Derek Storm/ Cindy Gosset’s J/30 OUTLAW in third, Leo Morales’ J/27 WIZARD in fourth and David Schulte’s J/80 TAJ MAHAL in sixth.
Class 3 saw the classic J/29s giving everyone a run-for-the-money. This time it was Patrick Denney’s J/29 HERE & NOW taking third and Tom McDonald’s J/29 JOYRIDE in sixth.
The
J/105s sailed one-design as Class 4. It was Jim Geros LAST TANGO
taking the class win followed by Erik Kristen/ Kathryn Meyer’s MORE
JUBILEE in second, David Cohen/ Lance Rummel’s INCONCEIVABLE taking
third, Jerry Diercks’ DELIRIUM in fourth and Chris Phoenix’s JADED in
fifth position.There was a real battle in Class 5. This time, it was the J/35s taking it to everyone in the class. Karl Haflinger’s J/35 SHEARWATER placed 4th. But, it was Bob Ross’ J/88 BON-BINI upsetting the J/35 train by taking fifth position. They were followed by Don & George Leighton’s J/35 TAHLEQUAH in seventh and Tyson Varosyan’s J/35 SOLUTION in eighth.
The world of J/109s in the Pacific Northwest is famous for long-time enduring rivalries. Not surprisingly, in Class 6 they are always factors in the top of the class. It was Jerry Woodfield’s J/109 SHADA securing second and then Stu Burnell’s J/109 TANTIVY taking third. Then, Chris Johnson’s J/120 WITH GRACE finished sixth.
In the “big boat” categories, we see that Class 7 had some good performances by 40-45 foot J/Teams. Taking fourth was the brand new J/122E JOYRIDE in fourth. They were followed by Brian Duchin’s J/133 TANGO in sixth, Lynn Adkins’ J/111 ADALGISA in eighth and Andy Mack’s J/122 GRACE ninth. Class 9 division saw the magnificent big blue J’s sailing a solid race overall. Leading that group was John McPhail’s J/160 JAM taking the bronze followed by Tom Huseby’s J/145 DOUBLE TAKE in fifth. Sailing photo credits- Jan Anderson For more Blakely Rocks Race sailing information
