Incredible weather for J-Fest this past weekend. The winds were out the North at 10-12 knots and remained steady with very few shifts through out the day. You should have been there…as far as sailing conditions go…it was orgasmic. If you missed it…. don’t even think about leaving your J-boat in the slip or on the trailer next year during this great regatta! This event once again included on-the-water coaching which was a big success as usual. More about the coaching later…
In the J-Boat Handicap Class, the "Beignet Boys" on Java deep fried the competition. They swept class and fleet with two first place finishes. Their leads were huge; they must have felt like Decision. JAVA pulled off this big win in spite of the crew work of Jeff, Kevin & Riess (from the looks of these guys growing waist lines compliments of Café’ Du Monde...some one better keep these fellas out the kitchen…ok…I have had a few to many myself). Katherine "the hard body" might just have to get these guys to start skipping breakfast and introduce them to "crunches". Javas’ Ace tactician and merchant of speed (Al Gooch) made the "ESPN PLAY OF THE DAY" to save this race and regatta for all boats participating in this event. The RC set a Gold Cup racecourse and inadvertently did not communicate such to the mark-set boat, which set up a windward – leeward course. Two thirds of the way up the first beat, Al Gooch called the offset boat on the VHF radio and suggested that they pick up the offset mark and set a wing-mark so that a gold cup course could be sailed. Thanks AL…we owe you one…even though the boat you were sailing on prefers reaching over running. In second place, sailing very consistently was J-92 Cattywampus. In third was J-24 Hey Girl w/dog and that Pascagoula America’s Cup crew. This J-24 w/canine crew is becoming a force to be reckoned with…look for more canine crew onboard other boats soon…this may become as popular a jib-vanging.
J-30 Class, Michael Hotaling sailing Black Magic with some stacked north shore talent prevailed by finishing first. This class had six boats show up on the line and is definitely on the come back due to Michael and his… building bridges instead of walls positive attitude. A special thanks is in order here as this class was dead when Michael purchased Black Magic and now I know of two other people interested in acquiring J-30’s, so they can get into a good one design boat. In second place was Jalapeno. Cuba Libre finished third. The most improved J-30 of the year was skippered by Curious George. The crew of Gritz sported some new "Curious George" crew shirts and received the most improved J-30 of the year award. The next morning, it was reported that the new crew uniform also included some "Curious George Panties"…go get em’ Romeo.
J-22 Class, in the "TRUE J-BOAT FAMILY WAY"…three generations of LeBlanc’s racing Wavemaker whooped up on this fleet with two first place finishes. This team of Grandfather, father and daughter never rounded any mark in first place other than the finish (that’s where it counts). This should serve as a reminder to never give up…no matter how far back you are! Finishing second w/my help & Jordan Sackett was Chris Weintjes’ 22-Caliber. The coaches told us after racing…that we were real fast… in going the wrong direction… after we tanked each start (lesson learned, maybe?). Team Gamble/Andrews sailing Wild Tchoupitoulas managed to lead this class at the last mark rounding in both races but gave up two positions in the first race and as many as three in the second race (hard to believe that this is possible in 10-12 knots of breeze?).
This was really a fun day of sailing. The coaches (Dave Bolyard & Benz Faget) wrap-up session revealed that the crew-work as far as sail handling at mark roundings were much improved from last year. They commented that several boats still had their crews sitting way to far aft (why does J-boats make these nice big cozy cockpits if you can’t sit in them?), taking their boats through tacks to fast, over-tacking and trimming the jibs/genoas in to tight after tacking. Another big special thanks goes to Stanton of Murray Yacht Sales who sponsors/runs/organizes/invented the J-Fest regatta. Murray Yacht Sales really put out the good stuff as far as prizes and awards. MYS & Stanton gave away Polar Fleece lined J-Jackets, hats, offshore spray suits, sun glasses, a carbon baked J-145 and several other fine nautical items that helped make everyone go home a winner in this fine event. Thanks again to Murray Yacht Sales, Sea Chest, New Orleans Yacht Club, its Race Committee, the coaches and all the sailors who helped make it a great day of racing.
-steinkamp
