(Deltaville, VA)- The J/70 East Coast Championship was held by Fishing
Bay Yacht Club (FBYC) in Deltaville, Virginia on September 30/October 1. Sailors enjoyed gusty/shifty northwest to northeast winds on Saturday and Sunday ranging from 8 to 20 knots. Given the strong wind, current and steep chop, the race committee moved racing inside to Fishing Bay so that they could set their anchors properly.
Blake Kimbrough and his long-term NOSTALGIA crew of Julia and Lud Kimbrough and FBYC Vice Commodore, Rob Whittemore, was the top boat on Saturday with finishes of 1-5-2-3 and the top boat overall for the weekend. Even though Blake did not race his J/70 in 2016, he clearly did not lose his touch as he won the J/70 Class at the Stingray regatta Labor Day weekend and followed up with his win at the East Coast Championship. The NOSTALGIA crew consistently started well, sailed fast (despite their aged sails) and got around the corners in good shape.
Henry Filter and his WILD CHILD crew sailed very well and were exceptional at close quarters maneuvering. The WILD CHILD team placed second in the regatta, with their performance ramping up from 3-7-1-6 on Saturday to 1-2-3 on Sunday.
Gannon Troutman sailed at Fishing Bay after a couple of years of racing top-flight regattas around the world. Gannon and his all junior crew on PIED PIPER (fellow classmates from Christ Church School near Deltaville, VA) sailed extremely well both days with finishes of 2-2-8-2 on Saturday (tied for second for the day) and finishes of 7-3-4 on Sunday to end up third for the regatta. We hope to see Gannon and his crew at the J/70 Youth Champs next year at St. Petersburg Yacht Club! For more J/70 East Coast Championship sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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