For the J105 fleet the biggest regatta of the year came to Southern California. The North American Championship was sailed on the waters of Santa Monica Bay hosted by California Yacht Club August 24 – 27. Many of the 31 boat fleet traveled across the U.S. from Rhode Island, Chicago, Florida, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Nerves became frazzled early in the week when several boats didn’t measure in, several spinnakers didn’t measure in and several crews didn’t weigh in. By race day, all passed inspection and were ready to go sailing.
Wednesday the race committee set up for 3 practice races on a short coarse. With 16 – 18 kts of wind and lumpy seas it was a good workout for the crews along with the opportunity to check out the new and unfamiliar competition.
Thursday the regatta began with 2 of the best of 7 races over 4 days – no throw outs. Race #1 started with several OCS’s and one minor collision. Masquerade from San Francisco lead wire to wire after banging the right side. Invisible, SDYC, with Tom Carruthers took 2nd and Lowell North, SDYC, in his newly christened Triple play in 3rd. Race #2 went off with a clean start. Current Obsession, LBYC, lead the pack to take the victory with Indifatigable, NYYC, 2nd, Masquerade 3rd, Invisible 4th and Triple Play 5th. San Diego boats got off to a strong start holding 6 of the top 10 overall positions.
Conditions for day 2 were a repeat of day 1, light and lumpy. After a general recall, RC hoisted the I flag and four boats were called OCS. Again Masquerade takes the first race with Invisible and Triple Play both suffering double digit finishes. By the second race of the day the breeze increased to 12 kts so the race committee called for a 3 laper. Invisible and Triple Play took turns leading with Invisible claiming victory. Triple Play and crew (average age 64) showed the fleet they still know how to get it done by finishing 2nd. Masquerade looked indestructible with their impressive first overall position, 11 points ahead of their closest rival Invisible.
Saturday, the third day of the regatta, brought the strongest breezes of 12 - 16 kts along with the
now familiar heavy chop. Race 1 Wings sailed conservatively up the center of the course rounding
the weather mark first and sailed on to get the gun. Jon Dekker, SDYC, sailing his boat Airboss
took the second race of the day leading wire to wire while Wings capped off a great day with a
second moving into 2nd overall. Masquerade came in with their worst finish of the
regatta posting an 11th place. At the evenings video show Jon and crew received a huge round
of applause for their inspirational victory.
Sailing in a fleet this size brought some exciting and some painful starts. A back row start put you at the mercy of the fleet as you got ping ponged around while trying to find a clear lane. The next challenge with so many boats on the coarse was to get around the weather mark. The fleet was always tight as we approached the mark and with those choppy seas and plenty of company, the lay line could be deceiving, as numerous boats can attest to. A port layline meant nerves of steel or death. We saw both.
The final day with one race scheduled had Masquerade’s once insurmountable lead was down to a
slightly comfortable 6 point over WINGS. When the starting gun went off several boats were peeling
themselves off the race committee boat while Masquerade suffered a second row start further down
the line. Unfortunately, so did Wings. Masquerade covered Wings around the 2 1/2
lap coarse to finish 6th to Wings 7th winning the North American
Championship. Wings held on to 2nd overall being the only boat to have all single
digit finishes.
Sharon Case