Great One-design Sailing @ Cal Race Week

J/105s, J/109s, J/80s, J/24s Love SoCal Sunshine
(Marina Del Rey, CA)-  In their usual fashion, the amazing facility that Cal YC offers to its members and visiting sailors is second to none in terms of fun, hospitality and excellent race management.  Rolling out the red carpet for eight one-design classes, including four J-classes, the J/24s, J/80s, J/105s and J/109s, the J sailors responded with good turnouts in all four fleets.

In fact, the number of J/24s attending equalled those sailing that famous "old" Olympic class- the Stars!  Imagine that, kudos to the 24 fleet for continuing to have so much fun with their buddies.  Susan Taylor on TAKE FIVE again showed the boys her tail feathers and managed to nearly "run the table" with four firsts and one second to win with a total of 6 pts.  The battle for second came down to the last two races between Tom Tunberg's BULLET and Jim Bauerley's CRITTER.  Ultimately, it was Tom's 3-3-2-3-1 for 12 pts beat out Jim's team with a 2-4-5-2-3 for 16 pts, for second and third respectively.

Also showing strength and having fun were the five J/80s.  This year it was a repeat win for Curt Johnson on AVET sailing to a 1-1-2-2-1 for 7 pts.  An up-and-comer showing great promise for the future, winning two races in a row, was Dan Gribble's DUI sailing to a 3-3-1-1-4 for 12 pts to secure second place.  Third was Bob Hayward's BLUE JAY with a 2-2-3-4-3 for 14 pts.

The J/105 always shows up with a good number of very competitive teams from the SoCal neighborhood.  Sure enough, past winners of San Diego and Los Angeles area J/105 SoCal series were on the starting line going for all the gold.  However, showing a remarkable turn of speed and consistent sailing was Gary Mozer's team on CURRENT OBSESSION 2 dialing it up a notch to nearly "run the table" as well like Susan in the J/24s, getting four firsts and a third for 7 pts to win by 8 pts!  That's a spanking!  The contest for second was a donnybrook going into the final two races for four teams, all the action was taking place here as Gary's CO2 team took off over the horizon.  Rick Goebel's SANITY, John Howell's BLINK!, Don Poppe's ROCK & ROLL and Ed Sanford's CREATIVE had a great series racing one another.  In the end, Rick's SANITY team squeaked ahead to finish with a 3-3-6-2-1, coming on strong at the end to finish with 15 pts and get second overall.  Third was determined by a tie-breaker, with the nod going to John's BLINK! crew due to a 4-2-2-4-6 record for  18 pts and Don's ROCK & ROLL crew got the short-end of that stick with a 2-4-3-5-4 record also for 18 pts.  While starting out slowly, Ed's CREATIVE team nearly pulled off a third, ending up fourth with a 6-5-4-3-2 tally for 20 pts.  All in all great sailing amongst the J/105 teams.

While the J/105s and J/24s both had runaway winners and battles for podium honors for silver and bronze, the J/109s had a tough battle for the entire series between two well-sailed boats, Alice Leahey's GRACE O'MALLEY and Tom Brott's ELECTRA.  Both teams sailed fast and smart and didn't give an inch.  However, there was no holding back Alice's first attempt at winning silverware in the J/109 class at Cal Race Week.  Both teams sailed to a tie-breaker, Alice getting a 3-1-2-1-1 for 8 pts to win over Tom's 1-2-1-2-2 also for 8 pts.  Watching the fireworks at the front of the fleet was Bryce Benjamin's PERSISTENCE, counting a consistent 2-3-3-3-3 record for 14 pts.

PHRF Class was won by Fred Cottrell's J/133 TIGGER, literally "running the table" with five straight firsts for 5 pts, the only boat in the regatta to do so and completely dominate their class.  Way to go Fred!   For more Cal Race Week sailing information

  

GREAT SAILING Wins J/80 Trofeo Conde de Godo

(Barcelona, Spain)- Real Club Nautico de Barcelona hosted the 28th edition of this regatta in the beautiful azure waters off Barcelona.  It was a very competitive event that saw world class Olympic sailors like Jose Maria van der Ploeg being pushed hard by their noteworthy Spanish compatriots.

On the last day, the weather conditions were good enough to hold three races for the fleet of J/80s, blowing 6-8 knots offshore.  However, amongst the J/80 contenders, no one seemed to be able to throw Van der Ploeg's team on GREAT SAILING off the number one spot on the podium.  As the end, the results were first- GREAT SAILING (CN Balís) skippered by Jose Maria van der Ploeg, second- CROCS (RCNB) sailed by Javier Aguado and in third MIKAKU (RCNB) with Rosa Artigas Natalia Via Dufresne at the helm.

Jose Maria commented on his sailing during the course of the event- "I'm from Barcelona and I feel comfortable sailing here. The crew has been the same as in the Grand Prix Iberdrola, except David More Jr sailed in place of Hugo Ramón.  We have a strong team.  We are very pleased to have won. There has been a major overhaul and our crew shows great concentration, bringing good results!  The next trophy in which we compete are the J/80 Spanish Championships in three weeks, the J/80 World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark in five weeks and, finally, the J/80 Copa del Rey in Palma during July."   For more J/80 Spanish sailing information

  

J's Sail Cedar Point One-Design Regatta

Four J Classes Enjoy Casual Competition
(Cedar Point, CT)-  Each year the Cedar Point YC proves yet again they're clearly one of the most fun and laid back sailing clubs to host a major event every summer.  This year, RC Chair Lincoln Schoenberger and crew demonstrated why CPYC events are so popular, good RC work, making quick work of setting lines and race courses with little waste of time.

The J/109s saw some nice competition but the eventual class winner, David Rosow on LOKI was never challenged by his colleagues, winning with straight firsts for a total of five points in six races (one toss).  The real story was the fight for second place, with the eventual outcome hanging on the outcome of a tie-breaker due to results in the last race.  Winning the tie-break was Jeff and Daine Warren's ARIEL with a 3-3-2-2-4-2 record for 12 pts.  Ending up on the short-end of the tie-break was Richard Imbruce's JOYRIDE with a  2-2-3-3-2-3 record also for 12 pts.

The J/105 class showed up in force with an excellent turnout of nine boats.  Showing their recent Manhattan YC J/105 Regatta win was no fluke was Kevin Grainger's team on GUMPTION 3, narrowly beating arch-rival Damian Emery's championship team on ECLIPSE.  Kevin took the top honors with a 2-1-2-4-1-5 record for 10 pts.  Damian started out slowly, working off a few cobwebs one might imagine and finished with a flourish, but not enough to win it all, earning a 6-2-5-1-2-1 scoreline for 11 pts.  Third was Paul Beaudin on LOULOU with a 3-3-1-3-3-3 for 13 pts, earning by far the most consistent sailing of the fleet.

The J/80s seemed to have a lot of fun and a real mix of races amongst one another with only six points separating the top four after six races.  Leading everyone home with a four point lead was Al Minella's RELENTLESS, getting a 2-1-2-1-3-1 for 7 pts.  Second was Ansgar Chorhummel on KIA ORA with a strong start of 1-2-1 but a slow finish of 4-4-3, for a total of 11 pts.  Third was Mac Cooper on the appropriately named WORKBOAT, working hard to earn a third average (and on his scoreline) for the regatta, getting a 3-3-3-3-1-4 for 13 pts.

Not to be outdone by their younger siblings, the J/30 class remains strong at Cedar Point and a good turnout of six boats made for some nice racing.  Seemingly having an early leg up on the fleet early in the summer season was John McArthur's SMILES, dashing off a 1-2-1-1-2-3 score for 7 pts.  It was close racing for the silver and bronze on the podium with Steve Buzbee on the renown BLUE MEANIE taking second with a 2-1-6-2-3-1 for 9 pts.  Hanging in for third was Harrison Gill III's HELIUM with a 3-3-4-5-1-2 for 13 pts.   For more Cedar Point One-Design Regatta sailing information

  

J/109 Wins IRC2- Susan Hood Trophy

(Port Credit, Ontario, Canada)- A popular race amongst the J-fleet on Lake Ontario is the Susan Hood Trophy Race, an offshore course around the lake that goes from Port Credit to Oakville, Ontario to Port Dalhousie, Ontario and back to Port Credit. It's often used as the "warm-up" regatta for that "other super-long" lake race- the Lake Ontario 300 (longer by 11 nm than the "other" Great Lakes long-distance classic- the Chicago-Mackinac).  The J contingent usually does well in this race as it's often a mix of beating, reaching and running, playing to the strengths of "J-performance" as all-around designs.

Winning IRC 2 Class was the Gainer's J/109 LIVELY from ABYC. Second in the IRC 1 Class was the Eckersley's veteran campaigner, the J/109 BLUE STREAK from QCYC.  Second in  PHRF 1 Class was the Disney's J/105 THE USUAL SUSPECTS from Royal Canadian YC in Toronto, Ontario. Seventh in the same class was the Borgundvaag's J/105 VOODOO MAGIC.    For more Susan Hood Trophy sailing information

  

J/80 and J/22 Grand Prix Ecole Navale

(Presque Ile de Crozon, France)- The French Navy and The Naval Academy has always been intimately linked to the world of sailing in France. In fact, sailing is one of the pillars of the training offered by the School and the Navy is a partner in offshore racing for many years in charge of rescue operations.  In 2002, The Naval Academy decided to host a premiere one-design keelboat regatta to further support offshore one-design sportboat sailing and showcase the sport to the public and Navy personnel.  This year, the Academy welcomed over 1,000 sailors that were sailing over 200 boats.  The event has now achieved enough notoriety that the President of the French Sailing Federation (FFV), Jean-Pierre Champion, has decided to entrust the organization of the Championship of France Monotype to the Ecole Navale for another two years.

This year, eight nationalities were represented, giving an international dimension to the Grand Prix with teams from: France, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Slovenija, Oman and New Zealand. Alistair Moore, coach of the Sail Oman Team said, "This is the first time the Youth Racing School of Oman Sail were able to implement their learning in an international regatta.  It was a great test of their skills!"

With forty-five boats attending, the largest and most prominent class of the regatta, the J/80 competition ended after 10 races were sailed in fantastic 10 to 20 knot winds to determine "Le Champion of France Monotype".  The winning team aboard INTERFACE CONCEPT 2 sailed a strong series, Morgan Riou leading his team to a 4-13-1-7-1-2-3-3-3-1 series for 25 pts (including toss).  Second with a much more inconsistent scoreline was Maxime Rousseaux sailing GRAND OUEST ETIQUETTES to a 3-8-27-2-3-1-20-5-2-6 record for 50 pts.  Third was Sebastien Metivier skippering CCVS CHERBOURG to a 8-7-1-1-2-22-5-1-4-12 for 61 pts.  Fourth was Christine Briand, second women helm at the regatta behind Maxime, skippering J'ILE DE RE to a 14-4-2-13-ocs-9-6-2-11-15 for 76 pts.  Fifth was Lionel Conort sailing MARINE BREST 1, showing moments of brilliance, scoring 11-12-5-9-20-8-1-17-14-4 for 81 pts.

The J/22s saw eight teams participating to determine the "monotype champion" also over the course of ten races like their J/80 counterparts.  The winner was not clear even after seven races! In fact, it was a closely fought event for the top four contenders.  Nevertheless, the cream does ultimately rise to the top, sailing a remarkably consistent series was Patrick Huet racing EUROPEAN HOMES to a solid score of 3-1-3-2-4-3-4-1-2-4 to finish with 23 pts (including toss).  Second was Reinhold Gross from the strong German J/22 fleet, sailing JAMAICAS KRONJUWEL- 22 CARATS to a 1-2-5-1-6-5-1-6-4-1 for 26 pts, the only boat to score four firsts!  Third was Clair Pouteau sailing SOFFE to a 5-3-1-3-2-6-7-3-1-5 record for 29 pts.
Sailing Photo Credits:  Pierrick Contin : pierrick.contin@wanadoo.fr    Jacques Vapillon : photo@vapillon.com     For more Grand Prix Ecole Navale sailing information

  

HOT TICKET & PTERODACTYL Win Detroit NOOD

(Detroit, MI)- This year's Sperry Top Sider Detroit NOOD Regatta saw some spirited racing amongst Detroit area boats from the J/105 and J/120 fleets.  The conditions were a bit challenging as the fleet was greeted with grey, overcast skies for much of the three days of sailing.  Friday and Sunday offered reasonable breezes, but Saturday's racing was punctuated by an extended postponement as the PRO's wisely waited for the breeze to develop on the glassy shores of Lake St Clair.

Winning the J/105 fleet was Mark Symonds racing the tenacious PTERODACTYL to an impressive record that included five straight bullets before succumbing to a bit of brain fade from Saturday night's partying, finishing their last two races with a 3-4 for 12 pts, five points clear of their next competitor.  Second was Dean Walsh sailing GOOD LOOKIN' to a 2-2-4-2-4-1-2 for 17 pts.  Third was Brian Smith's SORCERY with a 3-3-3-5-3-2-1 tally for 20 pts.

The J/120s generally have very competitive racing with no one boat simply walking off with all the silverware and the dancing girls. This time around, despite winning two races, even Commodore Frank Kern's famous CARINTHIA could only manage a fourth overall.  Winning this year was Robert Kirkman's HOT TICKET winning the first three races and scoring a 3-5-3-2 to finish with 16 pts.  Second was Henry Mistele's NIGHT MOVES getting a 3-3-3-2-3-4-1 for 19 pts.  Just four points back was Don Hudak's CAPER with a scoreline of 4-4-2-1-4-5-3 for 23 pts.  Sailing photo credits- Tim Wilkes Photography.   For more Sperry Top Sider Detroit NOOD sailing information

  

J/109s Lead Vancouver Isle Race

(Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)- Forty-one boats enjoyed crystal-clear conditions and 15 knots out of the northwest this past Saturday for the start for the 580-mile Telus Van Isle 360.  The race begins and ends just off the picturesque town of Nanaimo, situated on Vancouver Island's southeast shore. From here, the fleet will race in 10 different stage races, ranging from 22 to 138 nautical miles in length, working their way clockwise around the entire island. While some of the passages are a bit headier than others, bad weather can become a constant companion at any point. The race gets its reputation as a serious adventure race primarily due to the sporty offshore legs that negotiate Vancouver's wild western coastline, but the inside legs challenge sailors with impressive currents and tides while simultaneously rewarding with an abundance of sea life and some of the prettiest country anywhere on planet earth...when it's not raining.

Leg 1 started with a 12 knot westerly breeze making for a downwind start out of Nanaimo's beautiful harbour.  Once rounding Gallows Point the wind picked up to 18 - 20 knots on the nose which gradually eased to 12 knots at the finish.  A bright sunny day with perfect visibility and Mount Baker clearly visible to the south.  At 22 nm this is the shortest leg of the race and is commonly referred to as the bunny hill, but the sailors are happy to be into it and are thinking ahead to the challenging legs to come.

On Leg 3 that started in Comox, the RC's PRO injected a little humor when they hoisted a blue Canucks jersey in place of the 'P' flag.  It didn't help the Vancouver Canucks ice-hockey team, though (they're competing in the Stanley Cup ice hockey finals against the Boston Bruins)!  A long start line made for a civilized but busy start with all boats getting away clear in 10-12 knots of westerly breeze.  Once clear of Cape Lazo the fleet sailed into a solid 18 - 20 knots of wind on the nose.   All but the last few boats got in before the tide turned in Discovery Passage taking advantage of the strong positive current.  The top half of the fleet were sailing at times in 5 to 6 knots of positive current.  Several boats mis-judged their closing speed and ended up reaching upwind to clear the mark.  An interesting scenario developed with AMAZING GRACE overstanding the mark, reaching in and converging with ASTRAL PLANE and DIVA.  ASTRAL PLANE beat DIVA (both J/109's) by one second, AMAZING GRACE ended up anchored by the pin.  Protest to follow! This area has some of the strongest currents in the world at times getting up to 16 knots.  Many thanks go out to the RipTide Pub for the excellent venue and the Discovery Harbour Marina for hosting the fleet at their fantastic facility.

For Leg Four - Campbell River to Hardwicke Island - 24.50 nm- the race got underway in Deepwater Bay, 10 nm north of Campbell River with a 15 knot westerly.  The fleet sailed into a typical Johnstone Strait westerly with winds in the high 20's and and ebb tide making a nasty chop.  Some boats ate it up, others did not like it at all.  In Division 2 a tight battle rages between the J/109's, with ASTRAL PLANE, DIVA and TANTIVY taking first, second and third place on this leg.  ASTRAL PLANE currently leads in the overall standings with TANTIVY following in second.  In Division 1 ANAM CARA was first and is now lying 3rd overall.  The entire fleet was treated to a sit down salmon BBQ at the Marine Harvest Canada site in Chancellor Channel.   The BC Salmon Farmers Association once again cooked a fabulous meal.   It was clear that everyone in attendance appreciated what a special event this was and the scenery is spectacular.   For more Van Isle 360 sailing information

  

J/41 SOUAY1 Loves Samui Regatta

Just 5 Days Sailing, 7 Nights Partying
(Samui, Thailand)- The brochure is apparently quite accurate.  5 days,  7 nights of bacchanalian fun and merriment.  "Come and enjoy the final regatta of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix in Koh Samui.  Go out on a spectator boat, party with the sailors, enjoy the super car rally, play golf, watch the swimwear fashion show and enjoy the gorgeous island of Koh Samui. Bring your friends, bring your family, but just don't miss this fantastic event!"  Yes, that's what the brochure says.  Believe it, a "must sail" event on anyone's "bucket list".

Starting at the end of May, for one week each year the normally tranquil waters around Koh Samui comes alive with top level yacht racing. Thirty yachts descended on the tropical resort island, deep in the South China Sea to contest the Sawadee.com Regatta and the season ending AYGP Championship. Better known as a high end tourist destination and neighboring Ko Pangan for its full moon parties, the regatta organizers are also engaged the local community by promoting a Supercar Rally, Fashion shows, Property Exhibition and transforming the event into a Luxury Lifestyle week. Sailors celebrated the 10th running of the regatta, a mixture of passage and buoy racing in conjunction with a variety of great parties held at some of the classiest resorts on the Island.

Sailing in the event were two well-known J's that sail and race in the region.  One is Jean Rheault's beautifully re-conditioned J/41 One-tonner SOUAY1 sailing IRC 2 and the other is Rick Poulson's snazzy J/130 JING-JING sailing IRC 1.  

On the first day of racing, the fleet was greeted with 10 knots from the South.  The fleet sailed briskly away on windward/leeward courses. Although as the overcast sky lifted the breeze started to fade as Race 1 was coming to a conclusion and the 12 o'clock WindGURU bewitching hour was fast approaching. As the wind became unstable and started to clock around there was a lengthy two hour wait before the race committee could get Race 2 underway. All skippers were keen to get going and the crowded starting line in Division 1 & 2 would determine the tactics on the upwind leg.

In IRC 1, Rick Poulson's J/130 JING JING helmed by Steve McConaghy missed out eclipsing their top competitor by twenty seconds, so had to settle for second.  For IRC 2/Cruising class, Jean Rheault's J/41 One Tonner SOUAY 1 traded second and third places to be tied on points for the top of the podium.

For the second day of racing, the heavy overcast sky prevented the morning breeze from pushing through, so PRO Ross Chisholm sent the mark boats in all directions in search of wind. Eventually a patch was found to the East of the Ko Samui and Ko Pangan passage and the 'Follow Me' instruction came crackling over the radio. Thirty minutes after the prescribed start time the starting sequence began with the Racing Class away in 7-8 knots of Westerly breeze.  Several boats were caught off guard and desperately tried under spinnaker to get to the start line. Shortly after starting the breeze faded and the skippers had to contend with a strong Northerly flowing current after rounding the top mark. Another announcement that all courses will be shortened at the bottom mark, bought some relief but the minefield still had to be delicately crossed. Tactical decisions to gybe down current towards the wind line or stay in the light stuff and stem the tide. Initially it looked good down tide but as time wore on, their hopes washed away in the current.

The start line bungle and shifty conditions turned the IRC 1 result sheet up side down with JING JING having a "slow day".  However, in the IRC 2/Cruising class Jean Rheault's J/41 One Tonner SOUAY 1 claimed the daily double in the light conditions.  After further canvassing the wind situation and setting up the course in a new wind line, just as the starting sequence was about to get underway the wind died out and changed direction, so that PRO Ross Chisholm had no alternative other than cancel racing for the day. Despite the committee's persistence the wind did not want to play the game.

Happy days greeted the fleet again for the third day of racing.  It was time to rejoice, the South Westerly tradewind returned and PRO Ross Chisholm was game enough to run two windward/leeward races followed by a passage race to the South of Ko Samui. This may have been a result of last nights torrential downpour that turned the roads in Chaweng into rivers. As the yachts reached the southern turning mark the gathering gray clouds may have put an end to the bright sunshine and fair sailing conditions but added 30 knot breezes and blinding rain into the equation.

In IRC 1, Poulson's JING JING was just off the pace again.  And, a repeat occurred in IRC 2,  Jean's SOUAY 1 traded first and second places to run away with the top podium places from the rest of the competitors in the overall stakes.

For the fourth day of racing, post a massive party lay-day situation (fashion show pictured at right), it was going to take some time for crews to rehabilitate and remember how to sail their boats all over again! Consolidating the results was on the mind of all the skippers today. Getting clear air off the start line and quickly up the first windward beat has produced consistent podium places for the top boats in each class. Being mid fleet at the top mark means playing catch up for the rest of the race. Racing got away on time in fresh 12-14 knot SW trade wind which held in for the first race but faded and clocked around to seaward before racing could be resumed. Once again, PRO Ross Chisholm patiently waited for the wind to settle before firing off two more races for the Racing and IRC 1 classes.

In the IRC 2/Cruising class Jean SOUAY 1 claimed line honours but not far enough in front to make a difference and settled on second place and second overall.

The final day came down to one passage race shootout, down South to the Mat Sum mark and back for the Racing and IRC 1 classes. The IRC 2 class set off in 10 knots of breeze on a slightly shorter passage race to finish off the event. Only seconds separated the leaders as they went tack for tack, picking the wind shifts on the long windward beat. As the breeze faded the boats began to struggle into the current. Luckily the breeze returned in time for all classes to round the mark and set off downwind. As there was no sign of the sea breeze, PRO Ross Chisholm called it a day at the Hin Ang Wang gate for all classes.  In the end, Jean Rheault's J/41 One Tonner SOUAY 1 won the last race but in the overall stakes took second!  And, Rick Poulson's J/130 JING JING took fourth overall in their class.  Needless to say, all the crews enjoyed the Fashion Show, the Super Car Show, the Awards and the extraordinary hospitality all around!  How many of you are going to join them next year?   For more Samui Regatta Sailing information    Samui Regatta Sailing Facebook Group    Sailing photo credits- Annie Sophie

  

AFTERTHOUGHT Wins Southern Bay Race Week

(Hampton Roads, Virginia)- Skippered by Craig Wright, the J/109 AFTERTHOUGHT from Raleigh, North Carolina, won THE BLACK SEAL CUP, for best overall performance at Southern Bay Race Week. In the largest of the handicap and one-design fleets, PHRF A2 (12 boats), AFTERTHOUGHT had to toss out a 2nd place to win with five firsts as counters! The regatta, which is sailed in Hampton Roads, drew 98 keel boats from the mid-Atlantic and as far away as Maine.

On Friday, the first day of racing, the fleet raced in the Harbor, after a long-range recon race committee launch reported rolling waves as high as skyscrapers in the Bay itself. Racing breezes and smooth surfaces made for three opening day races in the same waters where the Civil War Battle of the Ironclads took place in 1862.  Saturday morning the seas in the Bay off Norfolk's Ocean View had abated and the fleet got in three races in conditions that rewarded, in addition to other skills, attention to wind shifts and Bay currents.  On Sunday morning, Mother Nature threw a curve. While the racers eat breakfast, downpours as thick as their pancake syrup hit the area. Racing was postponed ashore and not much later warnings of expected severe thunderstorms kept officials from sending the fleet out. Rather the party tent was activated and by noon the Gosling's Black Seal Rum was offsetting the dampness.

The J/35s sailed as a one-design class.  The winner was MAGGIE sailed by Peter Scheidt of Highland, MD.  Second was T-BONE, sailed by Bruce Artman from Tracy's Landing, MD and third was BUMP IN THE NIGHT skippered by Maury Niebur from West River, MD.

The J/105 class was led by VELOCE, sailed by Marty Hublitz and Eddie Hornick from Roanoke, VA.  Second was INVEVITABLE sailed by Mike Karn, of Richmond, VA and third was LOOSE CANNON sailed by Strother Scott from Maidens, VA.

The J/24s have continued to be a popular class sailing in this region.  Winners were QUICKY sailed by Mike Veraldi from Virginia Beach, VA.  Second was Neil Ford and Elisabeth Biondi from Hampton, VA and finally third was CHOP CHOP skippered by Rodney Paice of Portsmouth, VA.  For more Southern Bay Race Week sailing information.

  

Nicole Bastet Wins Canadian Women's Sailing J/22s

Nicole Bastet win's Canadian Women's Championship- perhaps following in the great family sailing tradition that includes renowned Canadian yachtsman, Evert Bastet, Nicole showed the girls in Canada how to sail J/22s fast and with fewer mistake than most to squeak out a win for Hudson Yacht Club despite lots of drama going on behind her for the next three spots.  Hosted by Hudson Yacht Club (near Montreal, Quebec) and sailed in J/22 One-Designs, the top teams that sailed this year's Women's Keelboat National Championship in J/22s were also looking forward to attending this fall's Rolex Women's World Championship sailed in J/22s at Rochester, NY.  In a rather dramatic turn-around, Nicole Bastet won despite having two bad races on the first day, starting off with a 1-9-8, then closing with three firsts to win by two points!  Her drama was nowhere near what was experienced by the next three boats, fighting hard to beat one another going into the last day.  When the dust and scores were settled, Marg Hurley from NSC sailed a consistent a 4-5-1-5-2-2 for 14 pts to win on a tie-breaker over Melodie Gummer with a 3-2-2-4-3-4.  The top teams are already looking forward to their trip to Rochester to hopefully win the Rolex!   For more Canadian Women's Keelboat sailing information