An interview with Roberto Escalante about the 2018 J/70 North American Championship
by David Schmidt 10 May 2018 08:00 PDT
May 14-19, 2018
J/70 North American Championship day 3 © Christopher E. Howell
The J/70 class was first launched in 2012, and since then it has enjoyed phenomenal international success, with hundreds of boats sailing in dozens of countries and four highly successful World Championship titles under its collective keel. Featuring a planing-friendly hull form, a powerful-but-still-simple rig, and a user-friendly asymmetrical spinnaker, the boat can be competitively sailed with four-person crews, simplifying logistics and making for a fun and athletic experience. This year’s J/70 North American Championship (May 14-19), which is being hosted by the Club de Vela La Peña and the J/70 Mexican Class Association, promises to reward those teams lucky enough to attend this freshwater regatta.
Given the class’ impressive international draw, it’s not surprising to find many of the world’s top One Design sailors on J/70 starting lines, making a top-three finish in a major regatta such as the class’ North Americans a serious feat.
This year’s North Americans are being held on Mexico’s beautiful Valle de Bravo lake, offering racers a great fresh-water venue that has a reputation for reliable breeze and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I interviewed Roberto Escalante, Regatta Chair of the 2018 J/70 North American Championship, via email, to learn more about this competitive One Design regatta.
How many boats are your expecting for this year’s J/70 North Americans? Also, how many different country codes do you expect to see displayed on the different sails?
So far there are 32 boats registered, yet we know of a couple more [that] will register soon, so we expect [30-plus] boats from four different countries, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.
What kind of sailing conditions can racers expect to find on the Valle de Bravo in mid-May?
A thermal breeze that builds up around noon and dies with the sunset, eight to 12 knots, bearings 240 to 280 [degrees magnetic], puffy, shifty and very flat water.
Is there a lot of local knowledge required to sail well on the Valle de Bravo?
I would say so. However, I am sure all the top quality sailors that will come from abroad will have no difficulty learning the Valle de Bravo's conditions quickly.
I will say this; keep your eyes very open and out there. There are lulls and puffs all over the place so you have to keep working constantly at staying in the pressure and playing the shifts.
Also, since its quite flat water whenever you have excess pressure and good speed you can burn some off by pinching a bit more than you would do out on the ocean with waves.
The 2017 J/70 Worlds in Italy saw a number of boats thrown out because of “modified” equipment or equipment that was outside of the J/70 class’ strict One Design rules. Are you and the other race organizers worried about any tomfoolery and what will you do to enforce the rules?
I am not too worried because Mexican boats have not been modified below the waterline.
Regardless, we have built a brand-new crane at our club to weigh and inspect boats and have Frank McNamara and Chris Howell on the Technical committee, so measurement will be rigorous and fair sailing of paramount importance to the OA [Organizing Authority].
When it comes to the rules and their enforcement we intend to be 100% kosher.
What kind of racing format will the regatta use? Lots of windward-leeward courses? Also, how many races are you hoping to get in before the final finishing signal is sounded?
The Race Committee will be lead by PRO Mark Foster, who has ample experience running J/70 World Championships.
We intend to run two to three races per day, windward-leeward L2 course with a downwind finish, an offset mark to windward and a gate to leeward in front of the starting line.
Is the event organizing any charter boats, and, if so, are these still available?
Yes and yes, there are still charter boats available. We even have a spectator boat for [racers] to bring along friends and family. The place is hospitable and housing and travel logistics are easy.
It's not too late to come still, so join us! I promise it will be an unforgettable experience with high-quality race management and warm Mexican hospitality. If interested you can contact me at j70mexicana@gmail.com
Can you tell me about any steps that you and the other event organizers have done to reduce the environmental footprint of the regatta?
As a regular policy at the club and class, we try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Paperless management of course, reduction of usage of plastic cups, bottles, silverware, and so on at social events, carpooling from the airport and other minor contributions of the sort.
The club has a water treatment plant and an herb garden; our menus run on local production, and [there’s] no consumption of unnecessary goods.
Anything else that you’d like to add, for the record?
Yes! The program on and off the water is intensely loaded with fun. Although Valle de Bravo can't offer the challenging seamen like conditions the sea shore brings, it makes up for it with other benefits.
Valle´s punctual thermal noon breeze, a superb Jury and Race Committee, a charming Mexican town with perfect weather, overwhelmingly warm hospitality, service, ease of logistics, and daily homemade heartfelt social events will be delivered.
I am certain camaraderie along the International J70 Class Sailors will flourish and sportsmanship will be praised. Come! Visit our website: www.j70vallesailingweek2018.weebly.com