J/24 North American Championship at Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - Day 3

USA's Mike Ingham extends lead heading into final day

American helmsman Mike Ingham has opened up a 10-point advantage going into the final day of competition at the J/24 North American Championship in Mexico. Sailing Digger with Tim Healy (current J/24 World Champion), Enrique Pirez-Cirera, Marianne Schoke and Max Holzer, Ingham absorbed his worst score so far—dropping an 8 in race seven. Digger has totaled just 12 overall points in the seven races, leaving a line of 1,2,3,1,4,1. Former J/24 World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz of Brazil with his Bruschetta team is lurking in second place with 22 points. Ian Ilsley's Jobbit of Monaco and Tony Parker's Bangor Packet of the USA are also within striking distance.

Thirty-seven teams from Brazil, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, Peru, Sweden and the United States enjoyed another gorgeous day in the Riviera Nayarit. With its typical sunny skies and warm temperatures, breezes again began around 6-8 knots, and Ingham again won the day's opening race. Fellow American Mark Laura on Baba Louie was positioned in second and Santa Cruz third. Winds grew to 10-12 in the next contest when Mexican Joaquin Bargallo earned the bullet, trailed by Parker and Alex Luiz's Tango of Brazil.

Racing concludes Friday. This event is a 2015 Pan American Games country qualifier. Photos may be found on the J/24 Class Facebook page, and complete regatta information may be found at j24mex.com/nac2014_copamexico.