PODIUM SWEEP AT THE J/70 SOUTH AMERICANS

A Tie For First, With Two Different Mainsails

The J/70 South Americans were sailed in Punta del Este, Uruguay the first week in December. Giulio Desiderato, the mainsheet trimmer onboard winners Petite Terrible, says it was a really close championship. “The top two boats were tied and the third just one point behind. Punta del Este was a great racing venue, and we sailed in all the wind conditions, from really light up to 20 knots.” The italian team skippered by Claudia Rossi used the F-1 mainsail, J-2 High Clew jib, and AP-1 spinnaker.

“The F-1 mainsail compared to the XCS-2 has less luff curve,” Giulio points out, adding that it was the first time the team used that sail. “We really focused on the bend, trying to tune a straighter mast.”

Playing a lot with the lower and with the vang also helped control the bottom shape of the mainsail, he says. “A powerful shape allowed us to be really fast with the chop and cross waves of Punta del Este. Especially the last day, it was really puffy and patchy, so our goal was to find a set up that allowed us to play with the maximum range of backstay.”

In second place on countback was a team led by Guillermo Parada, who sailed in the Olympics for Argentina and is also helmsman of the TP52 Azzurra. Both Parada’s team and third place Enfante Terrible sailed with the XCS-2 mainsail, J-2 High Clew jib, and AP-1 spinnaker. North Sails designer Giovanni Cassinari was Enfante Terrible’s main trimmer.

“It was a great event, really well organized, and with great sailing conditions,” Giulio concludes. “And it’s been great training for us, looking forward to our objectives for the 2020 season.”

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Which J/70 mainsail is best for your team?
How to choose the best J/70 jib

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