J/70 Corinthian US National Championship at New Bedford Yacht Club - Day 1
by Christopher Howell 4 Aug 2017 15:08 PDT
4-6 August 2017
J/70 Corinthian US Nationals day 1 © Christopher Howell
Ideal conditions on Buzzards Bay allowed four races to be accomplished at the second annual J/70 Corinthian US National Championship, hosted by New Bedford Yacht Club as part of the Buzzards Bay Regatta.
Texan Glenn Darden on Hoss recorded finishes of 5,5,1,3 for 14 points and the early advantage in the 28-boat fleet. 2014 Corinthian World Champion Heather Gregg's Muse holds second place after notching a 2,10,5,1 for 18 points. Brian Keane's Savasana and Jenn & Ray Wulff's Joint Custody are tied at 20 points for third and fourth, respectively.
The all-amateur teams enjoyed beautiful breeze of 8-12 knots on Friday. Dave Kerr & Lee Sackett took the top position in the opening race, tailed by Gregg's Muse and Andrew & Mallory Loe's Dime. Keane's Savasana won the next contest with Hannah Swett's Sparkle and the Loes rounding out the top trio. The standings were again shuffled in race three when Darden's Hoss gained the victory, ahead of the Wulff's Joint Custody and John Wilsey's Goofyfoot. Gregg ended the day with a bullet, as Keane and Darden followed.
Local sailmakers and professional sailors are onsite to conduct on-water clinics and briefings for the Corinthian sailors. The competition continues through Sunday. Photos are available on the J/70 Class Facebook page, and complete results may be found at yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2805.