Monday, July 10, 2006

J/Fest Fun in Seattle & Annapolis

Reports from the recent J/Fest Seattle & J/Fest Annapolis are all positive. In Seattle, the two-day event held at Corinthian Yacht Club over the weekend of June 17-18 attracted 47 J/Boats in seven classes. While some light conditions on day 1 delayed the fun on the water, the party Saturday night went off without a hitch. Sunday began with light winds again but the sea breeze finally arrived to make it all worthwhile. In Annapolis, (June 30-July 1) the "skippers meeting" wine tasting event, by J/Vineyards, put everyone in the right mood for the fun non-spinnaker pursuit race to follow the next day. 33 J/Boats and 128 skippers and crew enjoyed a most beautiful Chesapeake Bay day with sunny skies and 10-15 knots of breeze. Several family crews were on hand for the low key race and the entire fleet finished within 10 minutes of each other. All in all...a great time. Thanks to all of the participants, volunteers and J/Fest sponsors! http://www.jfest.org/

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week

Up and down conditions at Long Beach provided for some exciting one-design racing as five J/classes including the J/120, J/109, J/105, J/29 & J/80 were on hand. In all J/Boats represented 32% of the 168 boat fleet.

Gary Mozer's ‘Current Obsession 2’ recovered from a Saturday mini-slump with a second place behind Lowell North to edge Dennis and Sharon Case's ‘Wings’ by two points in the 20-boat J/105 class - the largest class at the event.

North, sailing his new ‘Triple Play’, won the final race to prove he still has some of what it took to win four Star class championships among several other world titles. "It was a good regatta," said North, who was 10th overall. "The race committee did a good job, and the hors d'oeuvres afterward were especially good."

Mozer’s win was enough to help his LBYC Team 3 win the Yacht Club Challenge Trophy for the event. Chuck Nichols aboard ‘CC Rider’ took the J/120 class, Tony Whetherbee on ‘Commotion’ took first for the J/109s, Eric & Steve McClure aboard ‘Macs’ topped the J/29s and Roland Fournier on ‘Blue Moon 2’ won the J/80s. complete results.