2008 J35 North American Championship

North Star Sail Club, Harrison Twp., MI

September 18-21, 2008

One Man's View of the Racing

Day one is a wrap:

Lake St Clair served up a beautiful sunny day with a slowly oscillating breeze that paid dividends for those with patience. Race one started with 140 degree winds of 8 knots. After a general recall the RC went straight to the “I” flag for the rest of the day. A steady right shift paid big for Mr. Bill’s Wild Ride.  As the mark was moved to 160, the rest of the fleet found tight racing with flat water. Out-of-towners read the conditions well with Toronto’s Battlewagon taking 2^nd  and Magic from Erie, Pa. 3^rd.

Race 2 saw a role reversal as Battlewagon won with superior downwind speed. Continued clocking wind was slightly negated by increased pressure on the left. Double Shot, sailed by relative newcomer Bill Jenkins, got a 3^rd for their best race of the day.

Race 3 saw an unexpected backing to the original wind of the day that saw many position changes with a dramatic 3 boat luffing protest just before the finish. Battlewagon was DSQ as windward boat. Detroit speedster Ed Bayer on Falcon finally broke out with the win as the chartered Whiplash with local T-35 sailor Chris Herriges taking second.

The final race of the day had a return of the right shift but pressure still paid off if you could keep clear air. Mr. Bill’s Wild Ride stretched out as Port Huron’s Major Detail edged out the closest pack finish of the day for 2^nd.

Day two: Lets eat

As the fleet sailed out for day 2 of the J/35 NAC, this local sailor was totally believing the weather man as the high pressure dominating the region called for similar wind speed to yesterday as a steady all day clocking was due. One major difference was the local Italian navy of powerboats would be out in force to stir things up.

Race 5 started under the continued “I” flag making starting lines dangerous. Magic tried forcing herself in at the boat as Wild Ride luffed and peeled behind the RC boat only to be protested out by Time Machine. Bill went right as the fleet all headed left and caught the only right shift of the day to catch up ultimately to pass all but Battlewagon and Falcon by race end.

Race 6 saw the beginning of an unexpected left backing of the wind. Those who could make it left suddenly saw themselves golden with Falcon sneaking past both Battlewagon and Mr. Bill to win as an under-crewed Whiplash got a fourth. By Race 7 the washing machine of Lake St Clair on a weekend was on full agitate and several ran afoul of the start penalty. Battlewagon sailed flawlessly to win over Time Machine which has been sailing with newfound speed lately. Mr. Bill’s Wild Ride kept consistent with another 3^rd, barely holding off a final pin finish gybing duel.

The final five leg race was sailed to finish the day as the wind that should have been west had made it back to 145 degrees. Positions change drastically on every leg before Wild Bill found a shift and rounded better than Battlewagon to finish first, followed by Falcon with Eddie sneaking past two boats on the final leg. Magic redeemed her starting line blunder to take 3^rd in front of Battlewagon and Major Detail.

Every one is stuffed from the tasty well seasoned brisket anniversary dinner. Tomorrow should allow enough races for all to get a throw-out guaranteed to tighten things even more.

See you then.

Last Day showdown

Day 3 of the J-35 Twenty Fifth Anniversary Regatta had come to a showdown. With 8 races sailed and a great looking day ahead a throw out would be allowed. Between the top three boats, Ed Bayer on Falcon and Rodger Walker on Battlewagon were tied for second with 17 points as Bill Wildner on Mr Bill’s Wild Ride held onto a four point lead with 13.

A cold front had come through last night filling in a steady 14 knot north wind. PRO Jim Rodgers finally eased off on the “I” flag starts and set a great course into the top end of Anchor Bay. Starting tactics where elevated under the “P” flag but all managed to get off clean with the top three all at the boat end. Wild Ride managed to squeeze off Battlewagon to the unflavored right side as Falcon had a lane up. Half way up the beat Bayer decided to split tacks to check in with his main rival allowing Wildner to gain leverage to pass at the mark.

The fist down wind was a virtual dead heat into the gate with Double Shot and Falcon taking the right gate and Wildner taking the empty left gate and tacking left on a lane above the other two. Sailing in clear air and great speed Mr. Bills Wild Ride extended and finished first sealing the regatta and his second consecutive North American title. Falcon took second putting two boats between himself and Battlewagon. Double Shot slipped to third in front of Magic.

Race 10 still left time for Battlewagon to make a move but she once again they had to tack right for clear air as Wild Ride deciding to sail the last race anyway held a clean lee bow position. This time Falcon again tacked to loose cover but came back left half way up the leg. Wildner led at the top and bottom this time choosing the right gate for an easier path to the favored side. Ed was second around with boats in hand over Battlewagon who once again had to try his luck on the east side of the course slipping him down to seventh by the end. Falcon held on to second and Robert Gordenker on Time Machine got his second top 3 finish.

Wild Ride finished with 15 total points throwing out a third, Falcon had 21 points after tossing a fifth and Battlewagon held third at 29 points after getting rid of a DSQ.

At the awards much was said about the great time North Star Sail Club put on. Few protests, great food and music, a responsive race committee getting the full regatta in, stellar weather including the nightly bonfire and the ever helpful membership of the club made for a fantastic event.

Special awards went to Battlewagon as furthest traveled boat south, Whiplash furthest traveled north and Gary Warner goodheartedly accepted the PERSERVERANCE award for last place with Dynomite. In addition, every competitor got a keepsake coffee mug with the Anniversary Logo on it.

See the results page for complete results and tune in tomorrow for one man’s opinion.

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