J/22s In California Dreamin' Series

(San Francisco, CA)-  West coast clubs have created a new match racing series titled, appropriately- "California Dreamin' Series".  It's a new set of match racing events that has been created for the spring of 2011 in which skippers will have the opportunity to compete in three consecutive weekends of ISAF Grade 3 match racing.

The west coast series begins at St. Francis Yacht Club sailing their new fleet of J/22s on February 26-27. The series then migrates to Long Beach Yacht Club’s Butler Cup, March 5-6 and winds up with at San Diego Yacht Club’s event March 12-13.

The new series is truly a dream come true for skippers who are trying to crack their way into top-drawer world events but are still in the process of accumulating the necessary points to qualify for an invitation.

The California Dreamin’ Tour events coupled with the August 2010 Trifecta match racing series of the Chicago Cup, the Detroit Cup and the Knickerbocker Cup, in which the series winner receives an invitation to compete in the Grade 1 Congressional Cup in March 2011, are a big shot in the arm for the growth of match racing in America.

These changes and more are all part of the newly created North American Match Race Series made up events organized by Bayview Yacht Club, Detroit, Mich.; Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, Port Washington, N.Y.; Chicago Match Race Center, Chicago, Ill.; Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, Calif.; San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, Calif. and St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, Calif.

These six clubs have dedicated themselves to promoting and developing high-level match racing countrywide and are on the forefront of bringing U.S match racing to the attention of the international sailing community.    For more California Dreamin' Series Sailing information.
  

Dutch Sweep J/22 Worlds

Bol's Quantum Racing Holland Is Champion

(The Hague, Holland- July 5)-  Yesterday the Henri Lloyd J/22 Worlds The Hague came to an end. Only 1 missed race on the last day because of light winds on Saturday morning. It was a beautiful series with a happy champion.  Nic Bol and his crew Dennis Goethart, Janneke Hin and Marije Kampen of the Quantum Racing team had a great series. Here is their story about the last race day:

"After four days of excellent racing, close competition and no single race behind schedule, Saturday morning turned out to be different. With two more races to go, the starting vessel kept us in the harbour after reporting zero knots of wind on the North Sea. When the first breeze appeared, the fleet was towed out the harbour and the committee began the starting sequence for race 13 as soon as possible. For us, leading number two in the fleet by only three points, the nerves began to grow. Starting in these light conditions was for sure the least wanted option. No way we could control anyone in the race, we just had to sail our own and be positive we would end it well.

With the wind dying within ten minutes before the start, the race committee called the race off to wait for better wind. And it came. About 8-9 knots of breeze helped us through the last and decisive race of the Henri Lloyd J22 Worlds 2010. Ever since we were black flagged on the first day of the championships, we held back on the starting line avoiding any risk. But today, with our opponents so close behind us, we had to do a little bit more. Our margin was a top 13 finish and no more than two places behind the team of Eelco Blok, who was currently ranked 2nd. We decided to put pressure on his team and start close to him so we would start the race in the same area. The teams of John den Engelsman (3rd) and Ronald Veraar (4th), as well as Eelco's team all chose the left side of the starting line. With the current coming from the right, we stayed above the others and we could see in the race how rich the right people got and how poor the boats on the left. This was also due to a shift to the right. We stayed sort of in the middle, stealing the goodies from the right but for sure stay in close contact to the left side of the course where our opponents were. At the top mark we were placed 13th with only the team of John den Engelsman three boats ahead of us. We were in control of the title, though on the very edge. We started focussing more on our own race and gained little by little. We came in 8th at the second top mark and we only had a reach towards the finish line ahead of us because of the strong current coming form the side. YES! YES! YES! We started breathing again and immediately after the finish Nic jumped overboard, celebrating his long wished J/22 world title.

Looking back, we had a terrific week of sailing with 13 beautiful races. We would like to thank the race committee, the J/22 organization and J/22 class for their perfect job. As for us, we have enjoyed the races very much. They were both exciting and challenging due to ever changing conditions and a great competitors fleet. Last but not least, congratulations to the team of Michel Miltenburg who won the final race."

Second overall was Eelco Blok sailing TEAM KESBEKE with 56 points and third overall was John den Engelsman sailing HENRI LLOYD with 56 points.  Top French boat was Patrick Huet sailing EUROPEAN HOMES in 19th and top German boat was Christian Rieckborn sailing JOLLY JUMPER to 21st overall.    For J/22 Worlds sailing results       Sailing Photo credits: De Venster