J/22 Midwinters Preview

(Tampa, FL)- The J/22 class is returning to Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa Bay for its J/22 Midwinter Championships.  As one of the "sailingest" yacht clubs in the South, the DIYC always goes the extra mile to take care of its sailors and has deservedly gained the reputation as one of the nicest yacht clubs to host major events in the South.  Plus, one of the big bonuses often cited by the sailors is that the bar is great and the course can be viewed from the deck, just about a half mile or less away!

Nearly twenty J/22s are participating in this year's Midwinters and, given the experiences from J/Teams sailing in recent regattas on Tampa Bay, the J/22s can expect the entire smorgasbord of weather conditions, from light to heavy, choppy to flat and warm to cold-- pretty typical for this time of year on the Bay!  Top talent is showing up and one can expect that amongst the leaders will be J/22 champions like Chris Doyle and Will Harris on THE JUG 41 leading the Rochester fleet contingent along with Travis Odenbach and Patrick Wilson on HONEY BADGER.  Top Chesapeake Bay teams of Allan "Albie" Terhune sailing DAZZLER and Jeff Todd's HOT TODDY will figure into the mix.  Then, can't forget the Texas gangster, lead by past World Champion Terry Flynn on TEJAS along with Casey Lambert's team on BLACKBURN MARINE RACING.  Good luck to all and, above all, have fun!  Should be excellent racing this coming weekend.  For more J/22 Midwinters sailing information
Need J/22 Parts? Go to -->>

Doyle Wins J/22 Midwinters

(Shoreacres, Texas) - Thirty-five teams gathered from around the country for the annual J/22 Midwinter Championship graciously hosted by the magnificent Houston YC, renowned for its extraordinary southern hospitality.  The madding crowd of sailors were not disappointed.  With great food, great drink and plenty of wind and sunshine, the J/22 sailors sailed to a solid six race series out of the nine scheduled.  Only a slow Saturday (no wind) put a slight damper on the proceedings, but the spirits were high and everyone seemingly had a blast.

For the first day of racing, the winds were howling on Galveston Bay in the morning with a cold front and sustained breeze in the high 20s with gusts into the 40s. After on-shore postponements, racing got underway just after 3:00 p.m. For the two races sailed, winds were blowing 15-18 knots. Chris Doyle of Kenmore, NY swept the first day. Sailing with Will Harris and Jason Suitor, the team won race one in a tight match with the runner-ups Travis Odenbach on INSTIGATOR and Terry Flynn on TEJAS. In the second race, Doyle developed and kept a strong lead over Texans Ruthie Lambert on OUT OF SIGHT and Chad Wilson on GREEN FLASH who finished in second and third place.

After Saturday's cancellation, the outcome of the event was going to put an enormous amount of pressure on the top teams, particularly with many championship sailors breathing down there necks.  On Sunday, the weather was glorious on Galveston Bay. The sun returned, and breezes started around 5-7 knots, increasing to 10-15 as it moved right. In the day's first race, Flynn earned the top spot, followed by Allan Terhune on DAZZLER and Doyle. Travis Odenbach on INSTIGATOR won Sunday's second race, as Terhune lodged another second and Nick Turney on FREE ENERGY came in third.  Eric Faust sailing NEIGHBOR OF THE BEAST took honors in the next race, trailed by Flynn and Chad Wilson.  Terhune won the closing race, with Flynn and Doyle behind.

Ultimately, Chris Doyle of Kenmore, NY won in a tie-breaker over local Terry Flynn.  The two teams battled during all four races on Sunday, both ending the regatta with 12 points.  Doyle, sailing with Will Harris and Jason Suitor, won the championship thanks to two bullets on day one, counting a 1-1-3-3-4 versus Flynn's 3-4-1-2-2.  Travis Odenbach rounded out the top three with 18 points based on finished os 2-4-1-6-5. Rounding out the top five were Allan Terhune in fourth with a 4-2-2-14-1 for 23 pts (a DSQ in Race#2 and a bomber in Race#5 killed his chances of winning) and Scott Young from Austin YC scoring an 8-7-5-3-6 for 29 pts.   For more J/22 Midwinters sailing information

J/22 Midwinters Preview

(Houston, TX)- Next weekend, the Houston Yacht Club and J/22 Fleet 6 will be hosting the 2012 J/22 Midwinter Championship Regatta from February 23-26.  With thirty-four boats registered so far, the sailing promises to be closely fought amongst some of the top teams attending, many of them coming from the local Texas fleets.

The Annapolis contingent will be well represented by some top women teams, including Sandy Adzick from Haverford, PA and Kathy Parks from Annapolis, MD on SUNDOG.  In addition, Al Terhune sailing DAZZLER from Arnold, MD will hold up the guys side of the equation for "Naptown" sailors.

The Texas gang rides hard and fast and with two World and North American Champions in their midst, it will be tough to beat these gringos.  Too close to call this horse race, but you have Terry Flynn sailing TEJAS from Houston, TX and Scott Young from Austin, TX ready to joust when the flags drop.

The Rochester Mafia has always had a strong group of teams sailing J/22s over time.  They will be well represented by Travis Odenbach sailing INSTIGATOR from Webster, NY and Chris Doyle teamed up with Will Harris from Kenmore, NY.  Either team can be considered top contenders.

Lone wolf and very capable competitor from Ohio is Nick Turney on FREE ENERGY from Lakewood YC in Lakewood.  Returning for some more "22 Love" is past J/22 Class President Galen Freeman on HOT RUDDERED BUM from Brentwood, TN.  Should be a fun event with this firepower amongst the top of the fleet.  For more J/22 Midwinters sailing information