Summery J/70 Worlds

Fall began on September 22, but someone forgot to notify the weather gods that control the conditions on San Francisco Bay. As a result, the Alcatel J/70 Worlds on September 28-October 1 endured/enjoyed full-on summer-style breeze, combined with the kind of big square waves that a new-moon-driven ebb kicks up on the relatively shallow waters of the Berkeley Circle.

Adrenaline must have been keeping the crews warm, as the competition was fast and furious. Afternoon wipe-outs were not uncommon, and several teams won at least one race in the 12-race, 1-throwout series.

Many recognizable names peppered the fleet, mostly in the tactician position. Among them, John Kostecki served aboard the winning boat, Paul Ronning’s Catapult. Kostecki, it may be remembered, grew up sailing in the Bay Area and went on to sailing’s so-called ‘Triple Crown’ (a silver medal in the Olympics and wins in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup).

We’ll have much more on this often wild and sometimes brutal championship regatta — even more exciting than the Farr 40 Worlds in 2014 — in the November issue of Latitude 38.

Full results, race reports and photo gallery links are available at www.stfyc.com/j70worlds2016.