The sailors will likely be preparing for light to moderate conditions all weekend with benign temperatures in the upper 60s. Friday’s forecast shows overcast skies with westerly winds shifting into the SW quadrant at 4-8 kts; Saturday looks more promising with mostly sunny skies and a decent SW sea breeze building into the 6-10 kts range; then Sunday dawns overcast and sailing looks a bit questionable, but with promise of a late-developing seabreeze from the WNW of 4-8 kts.
The eighteen J/70s have a great turnout of leading West coast teams. In addition, joining them are at least three Youth teams that are hoping to qualify for the U.S. J/70 Youth Championship in Newport, RI later this summer. Those youth teams include the HELLY HANSEN JR CREW skippered by Jack Reiter representing the host SDYC; Luke Pierce sailing CAKE, representing Santa Barbara YC; and Robert Garret skippering SLOOP JOHN B, representing Newport Harbor YC. These three teams will have great racing against such West coast luminaries like Pat Toole’s 3 BIG DOGS from Santa Barbara YC (ex J/24 North American Champions), David Schumann’s BOTTLE ROCKET from San Francisco YC, Craig Tallman’s JAYA from Kings Harbor YC, Jeff Janov’s MINOR THREAT from Cal YC, Dave Vieregg’s SOGGY DOLLAR from SDYC and the lone Mexican crew- Fabian Gomez-Ibarra’s VAGAZO.
Not surprisingly, the eleven J/105s that are primarily from the host SDYC are showing up in force. Most all top crews from previous years will be in the mix, such as Steve Howells BLINK, Stew Cannon’s J-OK, Chuck Driscoll & Tom Hurlburt’s JUICED (the crazily bright orange boat!), Rick Goebel’s SANITY, Tim Fuller’s STEADFAST and Dennis Case’s WINGS.
Like their J/105 colleagues, the seven J/120s entered mostly hail from San Diego YC, but the two “outsiders” from the Los Angeles area will be a threat to the local’s domination on the leaderboard. Those two challengers include Tom & Teri Manok’s POLE DANCER from Carlsbad, CA and Tim Hogan’s SHAMROCK from Newport Harbor YC. Planning on holding their own and fly the SDYC burgee onto the winner’s podium might be John Laun’s CAPER, Chuck Nichols’ CC RIDER, Rudolph Hasl’s HASL FREE, Mike Hatch’s J-ALMIGHTY and Ernie Pennell’s MAD MEN. For more Helly Hansen San Diego NOOD sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.