J24 Blog

With 30 knot winds the race committe raised the N over A flags, cancelling all races on day 5, and closing out the 2008 World Championships. The standings from yesterday hold leaving Andrea Casale and the crew of Fiamme Gialle in the first position, Candian Milev Rossi in second, and Ian Southworth of Great Britain. in third. Defending World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz finished the regatta in fifth plase. Americans Mark Hillman and Keith Whittemore were in 6th and 8th respectively. Full results here.

Pete Ramsdale reports:

It was blowing a hooley. Actually a category 3 hooley. Down at the dock everyone rigged up and a few hardy souls went outside for a look. The noise of the wind in the rigs of 76 Js was screamingly loud. The RC boat went just outside the harbour, registered 30 knots in the lee, hoisted the “L” flag (follow me) and brought the Js back to shore. We then sat in a delightful cofee shop for the next 2 hours and finally N over A – all over!

Boats quickly derigged, masts out, cranes started up – the usual mad dash to get the boats ready for the road.
We tidied up the charter boat – he wasn’t going to haul it, and started the unpleasant task of folding new sails (every crease a groan).

Prize-giving tonight, and then the start of the journey home.

A fantastic regatta (they all are really) – and apart from dropping 16 points in an incident that should have been avoided, and the struggle in the big breeze with the genoa, we were very pleased with our results (especially the 7th!). Nice to have a 53 in the last race – end on a good note.

So Bermuda boats were 66 and 71 – watch out on that Saturday start line next week!

Results:

1. Andrea Casale (ITA 434) 36 points
2. Milev Rossi (GBR 4247) 42 points
3. Ian Southworth (GBR 4177) 50 points
4. Daniel Glomb (BRA 46) 54 points
5. Mauricio Santa Cruz (BRA 37) 54 points
6. Mark Hillman (USA 2274) 55 points
7. Matias Pereira (ARG 5194) 78 points
8. Keith Whittemore (USA 5399) 79 points
9. Francisco Campero (ARG 5242 ) 113 points
10. Aurelio Bini (ITA 405) 116 points