Monday, October 10, 2011

LE TIGRE Snags J/80 NAs

J/80 international one-design sailboat- sailing regatta(Larchmont, NY)- Over the past weekend, Larchmont YC hosted twenty-seven teams from across the country sailing a highly competitive fleet over an eleven race series.  The sailors were not at all prepared to either be "schooled" or trounced by a bunch of guys from Texas.  Nevertheless, they were treated to a spectacle of great racing by one of the class's premiere ambassadors, Glenn Darden and Reese Hillard from Fort Worth Boat Club.  The LE TIGRE Team put on a clinic for how one should get it done over the three day event.  After five 1sts and three 2nds in the first nine races, Glenn and Reese stepped off the gas pedal and gave the fleet a breather, winning the regatta by 11 points.

J/80 sailors- Glenn Darden - Fort Worth, TexasSailing just off the pace was a trio of three boats caught up in a real dog-fight for second to fourth overall.  Not until the last few races did the smoke start to clear and the standings get jumbled yet again.  The contenders at this point were the teams of Kerry Klingler on USA 352, Bruno Pasquinelli on TIAMO and Les Beckwith on FKA.  By winning the last two races and getting five 2nds, Les Beckwith on FKA secured second on a tie-breaker with Kerry Klingler's team.  Getting the short end of that stick on the last day was Bruno's TIAMO gang, having to settle for a fourth.  In fifth was Kristen Robinson's team on ANGRY CHAMELEON, clearly having elevated their game quite significantly, getting five top 5 finishes and finishing just out of the top three.  Go Kristen!    Sailing photo credits- Howie McMichael    For more J/80 North American Championship sailing information