Garcia Crowned ROLEX Circuito Atlantico Sur J/70 Champion

(Punta del Este, Uruguay)- The 2018 edition of the South Atlantic Rolex Circuit was held this past weekend, an event organized by the Yacht Club Argentino, the Olivos Yacht Club, the Punta del Este Yacht Club and the Uruguayan Yacht Club and sponsored by the prestigious firm Rolex.

Twenty of the exciting J/70 sportboats participated in the three-day event and within the ORC Club class were J/24s and a J/92. The teams came from Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina.

Day One
Racing began on Monday, January 15th for the enthusiastic fleet of J/70s.  Two races were held in a southerly 18 kts breeze.  Pedro Garra’s PLAN B led the fleet at the end of the day with a 2-1 for 3 pts. They were followed by Francisco Van Aermaete’s SI QUERIDA with a 1-5 for 6 pts.  Completing the podium after the first day was Ricardo Umpierre’s XTREME 4U with a 3-3 for 6 pts.

Day Two
For the second day of racing, the J/70 sailors were treated to a radiant sun and with ESE winds that grew from 12 to 17 knots. The J/70s managed to complete three more races and the “planing mode” conditions created a dramatic turnover in the standings.

As a result, it was Diego Garcia’s CHAPULIN from YC Punta del Este that flew up the standings and won the regatta with 17 total points. Holding their own was SI QUERIDA, holding on for the silver with 20 pts total.  However, it was Pedro Garra’s PLAN B that dropped off the pace a bit and survived to get the bronze to round out the podium.  The balance of the top five included Aldo Centanaro’s PURA JODA in 4th with 38 pts and in fifth place was Juan Pablo Fregonese’s BUTANTAN with 41 pts (of note- he was top dog in a three-way tie count-back scenario with Ricardo Umpierre’s XTREME 4U and Sebastian Rana’s BANQUITOS.

Grand finale- Vuelte (Round) Gorriti Island Race
In this fun, classic race that closes out the Rolex Circuito Atlantico Sur 2018, the “round island” race of Gorriti is enjoyed by all.  In the J/70s, winning was Fregonese’s BUTANTAN with Rana’s BANQUITOS in 2nd, Centanaro’s PURA JODA in 3rd, Garra’s PLAN B 4th and Nicolas Goulu’s CHISPITA in 5th place.

Winning ORC B Class was Marcelo Alzola’s J/24 BLUECROSS & BLUESHIELD.  Sitting in 5th position was Guani/ Arocena’s J/92 JUPITER.  Follow the Rolex Circuito Atlantico Sur on Facebook here   For more Rolex Circuito Atlantico Sur sailing information and results  Add to Flipboard Magazine.