(Algarrobo, Chile)- The 2018 J/70 Worlds qualifier for the Chilean J/70
class took place this past weekend in Algarrobo. The event was called
the Cofradía Náutica del Pacífico and eighteen boats participated over
the weekend. The weather condition was different and stronger than expected and the teams enjoy the series of six races. Two were run on Saturday and four on Sunday. The first race on Saturday was thrown out due to an improper mark change, so an extra race was added on Sunday.
Conditions on Saturday were quite rare, with west winds and fog blowing onshore! In the first windward-leeward race, the fog made it impossible to see the leeward mark! So, combine the crazy weather conditions with the tough fleet and made it much more complex than usual.
During
the two days, especially downwind, gybing onto port at the weather mark
to get into the stronger sea breeze was the best strategy. So, all
teams worked hard to perform their gybe-set maneuver to gain or maintain
advantage on the boats around them.In the end, the winner was determined by a tie-breaker. Winning the countback on 12 pts was Andrés Ducasse’s TSUNAMI, while Juan Reid’s WINDMADE had to settle for 2nd place. Taking the bronze was Pablo Amunátegui’s KENMORE with 17 pts, fourth was Vernon Robert’s MORENITA with 20 pts, and fifth was Carlos Vergara’s SENSEI with 25 pts.
This was the final regatta in the three event qualifying series for the 2018 J/70 Worlds in Marblehead, MA, USA. Chile took 1 slot from the J/70 South American Champion and 2 more due to having 33 boats in the Chilean national fleet. Therefore, the following three boats qualified and will be attending the J/70 Worlds this year in the USA- 1st TSUNAMI (Ducasse), 2nd VOLVO (Matias Seguel & Mark Jux), and 3rd WINDMADE (Reid).
The J/70 Fleet will be back to Algarrobo on May 19th to celebrate the Chilean Navy Week again in Cofradía Náutica del Pacífico. Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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