2nd Annual J/Fest New England
2ND ANNUAL J/FEST NEW ENGLAND
Sailors fight the tides in the tricky conditions in Newport, North Sails clients win six divisions and enjoy the J/24 40th Anniversary race
This past weekend, in Newport, RI, was the 2nd Annual J/Fest Regatta. On Friday, the J/24 class celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a fleet of 20 boats that sailed a longer race around government marks on the Eastern side of Jamestown. Starting to the South of Rose Island, sailors raced up to Ft. Wetherill G9 off of Jamestown, then to GR can at Halfway/Fiske Rock down past Prudence Island. It was a very long downwind haul against the flooding current and only 5-7 knot s of wind. After rounding GR, they beat back upwind up to the Southern tip of Rose Island, keeping R12 and GC1 to Port. Finishing 50 yards South of Goat Island, it was an awesome race that took the fleet roughly four hours.
North U provided on the water support both Friday and Saturday. By taking photos and video, Chuck Allen worked with the J/24, J/105, and J/109 fleets on trimming techniques, crew placement, and rig tuning. Lots of good feedback and things to practice to improve overall boat speed.
“Thanks again for your help this weekend! It really gave us big gains in speed! We still need to learn more, but we are getting there. I greatly appreciate everything you and your team does. I know you don’t have to, and there are times that you make special trips to help us out. I do recognize this and appreciate what you do even more.”
-Brooke Mastrorio, J/109 Corinthian team ‘URSA’
Friday evening, past J/24 World Championship duo, Sail Newport’s Brad Read and North Sails President, Ken Read provided some insights to local knowledge and possible scenarios for what the weather would bring for the weekend. Giving sailors intel on geographics and certain weather and tide conditions around Narragansett Bay, Brad and Ken wanted sailors to be ‘in the know’ so they could focus more on tactics and align that with the tricks only a local would know. The weather report for the weekend was a bit frightening, as a low-pressure system was moving just south of Newport, creating wet and humid air, with warm temps, and pulsing sea fog which would end up affecting the wind conditions on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The second annual J/Fest NE Regatta was composed of a variety of J/Boats, including J/22, J/24, J/37c, J/70, J/105, J/109, J/110, J/30, J/92s, and a PHRF division. Racing on Saturday was unfortunately impossible due to the thick fog creating zero visibility, and lack of wind mainly due to the fog and low-pressure system passing to the South of Newport. On Sunday, the Race Committee team did their best to get the most quality racing in for the sailors, achieving four races for the J/24, J/70, and J/22 fleets. The PHRF fleet got in two races, and the J/105, J/109, and J/30s were able to get in three races. Tough sailing conditions made it hard for the event, luckily ending with a solid day on the water and fun for all.
North Sails is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual J/Fest NE, partnering with J/Boats and other local sponsors to create a platform for sailors of all kinds to sail with friends and family. North U was on the water providing coaching Friday for the J/24 fleet sailors. Chuck Allen worked with each boat on trimming techniques, crew placement, and rig tuning. Thank you to Sail Newport for hosting the fleets this past weekend, as well as RC officials, volunteers, and on the water support. Thanks to all sailors for being an intricate part of the 40th Annual J/24 Anniversary Race, making this year a special one for everyone.
