Monday, July 22, 2013

J/Teams Top Three Classes In Halifax Race

J/111 sailing Halifax Race (Marblehead, MA)- The 35th Marblehead to Halifax race started in light airs for the 80 boats that were sailing the race and not much else changed for the balance of the blast across the Bay of Fundy/ Gulf of Maine to Halifax, Nova Scotia-- except add more fog.  The numerous J offshore teams performed well in the challenging conditions in the ORR, IRC and PHRF divisions.

In IRC 2 class, the famous J/105 team sailing the J/44 KINCSEM, Joerg Esdorn and Duncan Hennes from New York YC and American YC, wished they had more wind or reaching.  Nevertheless, they managed to secure sixth in what was less than satisfactory conditions for J/44s.

The IRC 3 class saw Fred Allardyce's J/40 MISTY sailing a fantastic race to take third in her class.

Over half of PHRF 2 division were J/Teams and leading the way to the finish line was Jeff Eberle's J/130 CILISTA, winning by nearly two hours.  In third was sistership SAGA sailed by Kris Kristiansen followed by Glenn Gault's seasoned J/120 team on REBECCA.  They were followed by Mark Surrette's J/111 BLAST in sixth.

Five J's sailed PHRF 3 with a trio of sharp J/109 teams in the class, but it was a "classic J/35" that took home all the silverware! Ann Petley-Jones's J/35 HARRIER won her class by just 21 seconds corrected time!  In fifth was the first J/109, Paul Rafuse's WISC, and next was Gary Weisberg's HEAT WAVE.

Finally, the lone wolf in PHRF Cruising, Reggie Goodday's beautiful J/44 AKUBRA from Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, took top honors winning by an amazing 12 hours on corrected time!  For more Marblehead to Halifax Race sailing information