Skip to content

Summery J/70 Worlds

By Christine Weaver | October 3, 2016 | San Francisco, CA |
This photo of the new J/70 world champions, Joel Ronning and crew on Catapult, shows how wet the boats are in big breeze. But also take note the rooster tail off the transom, an indication of their abrupt — and thrilling — acceleration.

latitude/Chris
©Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

Jud Smith’s Africa finished the regatta in third place, after second-place Flojito y Cooperando, the 2015 world champions. In Thursday’s second race, they had led to the first leeward gate, then had to regroup and start all over when the race committee abandoned the race (the windward mark was way off station). After two general recalls in the re-start, they still managed to lead around the course and win that race.

latitude/Chris
©Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

Bay Area sailor Shawn Bennett’s USA 32 crew were the top Corinthian team, coming in 15th in the field of 68.

latitude/Chris
©2016Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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).

Another famous Bay Area sailor, Paul Cayard (second from right), sailed aboard Carlo Alberini’s Italian entry, Calvi Network. They finished fourth.

latitude/Chris
©2016Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

The local fleet captain, Justin Kromelow, has the best graphics, on Loose Lucy.

latitude/Chris
©Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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

Sailing

Leave a Comment




'Lectronic Latitude: Monday, Oct 3
Welcome to Fleet Week
Waters off the Cityfront get pretty churned up due to all the erratic boat traffic, but it’s always big fun to be out there during an air show. 
More 'Lectronics »