2009 NA Summary

By Larry Taunt (Race Chairman) posted to sailinganarchy.com (http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=95004&hl=muskegon)

I was chairman of the event. The web sit was a hijacked leftover from last years regatta that I have not expertise to update so sorry for that. All of the information and results are available through the Muskegon Yacht Club site at http://www.muskegonyachtclub.org/.

Racing Friday was nearly survival conditions with more like 6-8 foot waves and I saw steady mid twenties with frequent gust as high as the low thirties. RC would not have been able to do their job safely on Lake Mi so we stayed in. Had a good two foot chop on Muskegon Lake and we were able to get four solid races in by 2:30 in the afternoon. At least 5 ripped chutes and two damaged number three's, a broken Spin pole, at least two blown halyards, two jib sheets, and a check stay. Jimi at BBS did yoemans work until about 3am saturday morning in a valient effort to repair some fo the damage but at least one chute didn't make it. Mr. Bill's Wild Ride handled the conditions best and had four bullets. Most of the rest of us were just too scared to sail as deep as he was in that much air. Best broach was Falcon, who went down hard and blew up the chute and broke the pole in the fourth race. The bottom and keel got some significant air time.

Day two conditions were all over the map. As much as 22 knotw of wind and as little as 7 for brief periods as the wind and rain kept flowing through in waves. Outside in the big lake was still ugly but great wind and water conditions for outstanding sailing. In these conditions Mr. Bill returned to mortality and was beatable but still very fast and in the running in every race. Very consistant as the results show. Falcon came on stong and closed the gap to take over sole position of Second while Aftershock and Bad Dog Duked it out for third. Bad Dog had 3 2nds, but also had an OCS start that led to 6, After shock was steadier with two 2nds and 4 3rd/ and a 4 being their worst finish. These four boats finished many of the races nearly overlapped and the racing was very intense.

Day three was waiting for the wind to fill in and unfortunately it did not happen until after we had called it a regatta after waiting for nearly three hours. As we were down to a point where we only had time to run one race it was unlikely to affect the standings anyway. If we had gotten the planned three races on Sunday there was a battle for first and third that unfortunately mother nature decided for us.

Overall a clean regatta, the Muskegon Yacht Club, RC, and Staff did an outstanding job. Everyone had a great time, and no one was sorry we did not race on Lake Michigan. The J/35 clan is a blast and really good people. Can't wait to do it again!

Congrats to Mr. Bill, Falcon, and Aftershock for continuiing to set the standards for the J/35 performance. We were knocking on the door with good boat speed but couldn't quite crack the podium on this one.

Complete scoring at http://www.muskegonyachtclub.org/racing/2009/J35NAC.htm