Wednesday, January 9, 2019

J/70 Davis Island Winter Series II Preview

J/70s sailing on Tampa Bay (Tampa, FL)- Will the Russian BOGATYRS be coming back again to defend their title after winning the first event back in December? Or, will the prospect of elevated levels of competition in the new year spook them as they beat a retreat back to less competitive classes?  Time will tell!

Forty-seven teams competed in the first event in early December.  It was gorgeous the first day, but a massive frontal system rolled through on the Sunday and eliminated any chances of sailing.  The forecast for this weekend’s event looks significantly more promising.  While a front is scheduled to move through from Friday to Saturday, the southerly winds shifting into the northerly quadrants on Sunday at least promise a full slate of racing for both days.

While Igor Rytov's Russian BOGATYRS earned the overall victory, Greiner Hobbs' DARK HORSE was second, and Doug Strebel's BLACK RIVER RACING was third. In the face of daunting new competition, can they repeat that performance?  Or, will a new “dark horse” emerge and beat everyone round the track to the finish?

On that note, several new teams will be in the mix, like World Champion Joel Ronning on CATAPULT from Wayzata, MN; Bill Draheim’s PONY from Rush Creek YC in Dallas, TX; Brian Keane’s SAVASANA from Boston, MA; and Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE from Fort Worth Boat Club in Ft Worth, TX.   For more J/70 Davis Island Winter Series II sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.