The Publisher
*****
Sep 24, 2009, 1:35 PM
Post #1 of 1
(1701 views)
Shortcut
|
|
2009 J/24 Western Regional Championship
|
Log-In to Post/Reply
|
|
Submitted by Michael Whitfield:
The 2009 J/24 Western Regional Championship was held on the waters of San Francisco Bay this last weekend, September 19th – 20th, 2009. It was hosted by the Berkeley Yacht Club who delivered great racing and exceptional hospitality! As we know, the Bay Area is considered one of the most popular sailing venues in the country and once again proved that that premise is true.
BYC held a practice race on the evening of Friday, September 18th which allowed the out-of-town teams to get oriented to the local conditions prior to the Western Regionals kicking-off. The Western Regional Championship was planned as the "feeder" event for the 2009 J/24 U.S. National Championship being held this weekend at San Francisco Yacht Club.
The Western Regionals were comprised of seven (7) relatively short course races which were sailed by seventeen (17) teams from as far away as Annapolis, MD, Seattle, Washington and Dana Point. The racing took place on the “Berkeley Circle” and the PRO was Jeff Zarwell of RegattaPro. Conditions on Saturday went from eight (8) to sixteen knots and on Sunday the wind range was even greater. The fleet raced in five (5) knots in the first race and ended up racing in twenty-two (22) knots in the seventh (7th) race of the series.
Keith Whittemore, Tundra Rose, from Seattle bested Mark Hillman, WIP, of Annapolis, MD. The Racing was very close and competitive as Tundra Rose, Small Flying Patio Furniture and Tremendous Slouch nailed bullets! Tundra Rose knocked off four (4) bullets, Tremendous Slouch two (2) and Small Flying Patio Furniture took the last one.
In winning this regatta, Keith Whittemore of Tundra Rose has qualified for the 2010 World Championship being held in Malmo, Sweden next August.
Sponsorship wise, the Berkeley Marine Center provided free launches, hauls and storage for all out-of-town boats traveling in for this regatta. GU Sports, Berryessa Gap Winery, Cheap Diver and Touchstone Management Consultants, Inc. provided gifts, goods and services in support of the regatta.
Looking forward, the 2009 J/24 Nationals are being held this weekend, on September 25th thru the 27th at the San Francisco Yacht Club. This affords folks an opportunity to get a few days of wine tasting and sight-seeing in between the great racing these two events afford.
Final results: http://www.j24westernregionals.com/docs/results.pdf
Details of both these regattas can be found at www.j24westernregionals.com and www.j24nationals2009.com
|
SCUTTLEBUTT
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG IN