(Montego Bay, Jamaica)- The Jamaica Jammin’ Regatta sailed in the clubs J/22
one-design fleet has a wonderful history of great sailors and great sailing,
all in the challenging waters of Montego Bay, Jamaica. They’ve had
sailors from all across the globe, including the UK, Cayman, Bahamas and, of course,
Jamaican teams from Kingston and Montego Bay, participating in past regattas.This annual regatta is an open invitation to the global sailing community to bring a crew to Jamaica, race someone else’s boat (at no cost), get home hosted (at no cost) and get the ultimate high on a great race track for a very modest entry fee. The perfect regatta for these tough economic times: something to look forward to during the dark winter months of our northern neighbors.
After the largest
turnout ever in 2012 with every J/22 in the country sailing, 2013 was always
going to be tough get all the boats back. A late cancellation from the
Cayman youth sailing coaches meant that Mark Edmunds and his dedicated
followers from Cayman waved the flag this year and eight boats entered the
fray. Bruce J, we missed you again! And, young Tracy from Canada – make
sure next year you plan a little better!The forecast for Friday was 22 gusting 28 knots. Actual wind was 5 to 18 knots and so easterly that the race committee had trouble getting a mark remotely square. Saturday turned out to be more breeze than Friday with 14 to 18 and occasional gusts of 25 kts from the ENE. There was no local knowledge that helped as it was a case of spot the puffs at the top of the course and make sure to sail them!
The gusts were strong enough to bury Geronimo’s mast for a couple
of minutes and spill all 4 crew into the water followed by an immediate broach
on the other side followed by an extended period of sideways drift towards the
reef with the spinnaker run to the stops. The skipper was given special
recognition at prize giving (and graciously accepted!) for rescuing themselves
and the boat with all hands on deck!One-design yacht racing in Jamaica? It’s all about clean starts, protest free, fun racing in challenging conditions. Nothing beats it. At the prize-giving, each crew member on the first, second and third place boats received fabulous handmade Frank May trophies with a stained timber plaque and resin hulls.
Repeat winner was Peter Harper and team sailing their yacht ZIPPER from Montego Bay YC. Displaying much better form and jumping one notch higher on the podium in this year’s event was Mark Edmunds sailing DEFENDER to the silver from Cayman Islands Sailing Club. Leaping up the ladder this year was Bob Mallasch’s team on their mighty yacht AYAHSO from Montego Bay YC, taking the bronze overall!
Jammin’ is a regatta of
volunteers and amateurs getting together to do something they love. Boats
are loaned for the use of visitors, home hosting is arranged for those that
need and land-based entertainment sorted. The regatta first started in
1989 as the Jam-Am Invitational when there were close ties with the US J/22
sailing fraternity. The regatta was designed as an open invitation to the
USA and designed with the emphasis on fun.The regatta evolved into an international invitational open to entries from the entire planet. Jammin’ is now held at the beginning of December ever year for any sailors who are willing to come and risk the warm tropical trade winds, sun and the blue waters of the Caribbean. The whole event revolves around having fun on and off the water. The winner of the event by extension is a J/22 Global Champion and obviously a “Living Legend” as every year the entire world is invited to come and play!
“Thank you’s” are due to the following for making the event happen:
- Montego Bay Yacht Club, MBYC
Management Committee, Judith, Heather and Davia, MBYC Dockmaster, David
and assistant Anthony, and Robbie Joseph’s “Seahorse Grill”;
- Bryan and Lyn Langford for the
use of the “Pursuit” as start boat – you guys are the best! Bryan
and Lynda Langford for the prize-giving venue – Landfall- this has become
the best part of the weekend;
- Race committee volunteers Robin
Delisser, Lyn Langford and Carole Small- we hope that the gift of abacus
and Vienna Sausages will help in the counting of laps next year;
- Carole Small for organization
of names and food for prize-giving;
- J/22 owner Frank May for
lending his boat while he went back to the course;
- Frank May – handmade prizes and
mark management; and
- Lyn Langford for all her silly
prizes.
Last, but not least, we are extremely grateful
for our Sponsors:
- Biggs BBQ restaurant and bar on
the hip trip for the Jammin T Shirts;
- Slam Condoms – for those
quieter moments on the course; and
- Draught beer, mon! Of
course, something no sailor could do without!
The light winds were unusual for this event
and added a different flavor to the racing as strategy became all important.
Mike Farrington, who has won the last four Governor’s Cup regattas, was out in
front early but did not enjoy the dominance that they have become used to.
Simon Farrington, skippering “Sunshine” was close behind with his awesome
Stingray spinnaker close on his brother’s stern serving as a warning that this
year would not be a runaway event. Tomeaka McTaggart was also challenging hard
and the Youth Team aboard “DMS”, who had very little spinnaker experience but
were sailing well enough to mix it up with the best.