Corinthian USA J/70 Nationals Preview

(South Dartmouth, MA)- New Bedford YC is hosting the 45th edition of the late summer classic, the quintessential “Buzzards Bay Regatta.”  As part of that program, they are also hosting the second Corinthian J/70 USA National Championship. While this pocket rocket speedster has become a wildly popular boat with teams comprised of pros and top-level amateurs, the Corinthian Nationals shine the spotlight on “friends and family” teams, many of them former college standouts or dynamite amateur sailors, but none holding a Category 3 designation from World Sailing.

Hoping to provide world-class racing for the 30+ teams that are competing will be NBYC PRO Charlie Cooper.  At least nine races are planned for the fleet; given the normally amazing and most excellent conditions that Buzzards Bay normally has on offer for sailors- sun, clear skies, 2-5 foot chop, and 15-25 kt winds from the WSW!!  While the initial forecasts show lighter weather, all things can change fast on the Bay- the key “fuel” is sun and clear skies, no matter where the wind blows, it will always come in from the WSW quadrant!

There are many strong teams participating in this year’s edition of the Corinthian Nationals; many are top caliber teams that have won the J/70 North Americans outright, won the J/70 World Corinthian Championship, and won the Midwinters Corinthian Championship. In other words, there is no shortage of talent in the fleet.  In fact, some skipper/owners have ditched their “pro’s” to have a go at the amateur side of the world!

To say the least, the “Ladbrokes and Vegas” form on this regatta is just about tossed out the window.  No question, there are certain teams that should factor into the overall leaderboard.  Those teams should include Andrew & Melissa Fisher’s BUTTON FLY from American YC; Mike Sudofsky’s CARLOS from local Beverly YC; Carrie & Ed Austin’s CHINOOK from Ridgewood, NY; Andy & Mallory Loe’s DIME from Seattle YC in Seattle, WA; Glenn Darden’s HOSS from Forth Worth Boat Club in Texas; Jenn & Ray Wulff’s JOINT CUSTODY from Annapolis YC in Annapolis, MD; Heather Gregg & Joe Bardenheier’s MUSE from New York YC in Newport, RI; Peter Vessella’s RUNNING WILD from St Francis YC in San Francisco, CA; Brian Keane’s SAVASANA from local Beverly YC from Weston, MA; Hannah Swett’s SPARKLE from New York YC in Jamestown, RI; Peter McChesney’s USA 209 from Annapolis YC; and Chris Chadwick’s WILD CHILD from Eastport YC in Annapolis, MD.  Needless to say, betting on any of these crews would be about as good as playing the children’s game of “pin the tail on the donkey”; the tale of that tape will be of interest to many across the world of J/70 racing!  Nevertheless, the weekend weather forecast is challenging and promises the winner will be a versatile crew, to say the least!  For more Corinthian J/70 Nationals sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.


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