Monday, February 22, 2021

Despontin Wins J/70 South Atlantic Circuit!

J/70s sailing off Buenos Aires, Argentina
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)- Eighteen teams participated in the 2021 South Atlantic Circuit Championship, sponsored by GALICIA EMINENT, from January 15th to 31st, spread out over three weekends. Host for the event was the famous Yacht Club Argentino, with racing taking place on the muddy waters of the Rio de La Plata.

J/70s sailing off Buenos Aires, Argentina on Rio de la Plata
Despite best efforts by the YC Argentino's very experienced Race Committee and PRO team, the scheduled 15 races could not be completed. Nevertheless, the crews enjoyed the sunny warm weather and the 10 races that were completed. 

J/70 winners- Despontin and crew
In the end, winning was Ezekiel Despontin's team on ARG 707; his crew was composed Torkel Borgstrom, Pablo Despontin, and Mariano Caputo. His team managed to compile 7 top 5 finishes to win with 20 pts. net. 

Taking the balance of the podium were two new crews. Taking the silver was Javier Conte's BACHAJO also with 7 top five races, but was unable to overcome Despontin's speed and smarts around the track. In the end, they finished with 24 pts. net. Finally, the bronze medal was awarded to Gonzalo Ramos-Vertiz's ARG 806, winning two races, and finishing with 27 pts. net. 

J/70s sailing in Argentina
Winning the Corinthians Division was Francisco Van Avermaete's SI QUERIDA team, manned by Carlos Lacchini, Geronimo Galvan, and Eduardo Rasilla. They sailed well and managed to win two races, easily winning the Corinthians with 29 pts net; notably just two points from the podium!

J/70 sailing in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The balance of the Corinthians was Jose Arrondo's BEBETO in second and Paulo Cosentino's NEGRONI in third position.  Follow the Argentinean J/70 Class on Facebook here  For the J/70 South Atlantic Circuit series information Add to Flipboard Magazine.