J/22 Midwinter Championship at Southern Yacht Club - Day 1

J/22 Midwinters at New Orleans day 1 © Christopher E. Howell

Benz Faget leads after four races

Local Benz Faget snagged the lead on day one of the J/22 Midwinter Championship with all top-four finishes in the day's four races. Hosted by the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, LA, 25 teams took to the waters of Lake Pontchartrain in puffy breezes that began around 10 knots and increased throughout the day to 18. Competitors experienced 10 degree shifts, ratcheting to the right. Faget's team Fats recorded a line of 3,2,4,1 for 10 points. Terry Flynn's Tejas also kept their scores in the top four (2,4,2,4) for 12 points, and Chris Doyle's The Jug 4 1 is just one point behind in third place with 13 points.

The top three in the day's races were constantly shifting among the same few boats. Chris Doyle started the regatta with a win, followed by Flynn and Faget. Chris Doyle took another bullet in race two, with Faget in second and Kevin Doyle in third. It was Chris Doyle again winning race three with Flynn in second and Chris Wientjes in third. Faget moved to the top spot in the day's final contest, trailed by Canada's Ron Harris and Kevin Doyle.

Racing continues through Sunday. Photos are available on the J/22 Class Facebook page, and complete results are available at www.j22mw.com.