Please select your home edition
Edition
Sunstorm Marine - Halyard Bags

J/70 US National Championship at Fort Worth Boat Club - Day 1

by Julie & Christopher Howell 8 Nov 2024 22:36 GMT November 7–10, 2024
2024 J/70 US National Championship © Hannah Lee Noll

The first annual J/70 US National Championship kicked off Friday with 18 teams battling through challenging, shifty conditions on Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth, Texas.

Overcast skies and a puffy, unpredictable breeze ranging from 10-15 knots with higher gusts created a complex environment that tested teams. Led by Principal Race Officer Mark Foster, the fleet includes eight Corinthian teams, one Mixed-Plus team and five One Pro teams.

As the first day concluded, the overall standings positioned James Murray's Hestia at the top of the leaderboard with scores of 2,1,2 for only 5 points. They also lead the One Pro Division, with team of Zeke Horowitz, Will Howard and Steven Leuck. Al Minella's Level 5 and Bruno Pasquinelli's Stampede are tied at 13 points for second and third, respectively. Ryan Cox's DJ leads the Corinthian category.

Race 1 set the tone with Bruce Golison's Midlife Crisis taking first place in a closely contested battle, followed by Murray's Hestia and Minella's Level 5. The excitement continued in Race 2, where Hestia emerged victorious. John Sommi's Relative Obscurity was runner-up, with Pasquinelli's Stampede finishing strong in third. The final race of the day, Race 3, was won by John Gochberg's USA551, with Hestia taking another second and Level 5 claiming third.

Competition continues through Sunday. Photos from Hannah Lee Noll are available here, and complete results may be found here.

Related Articles

Torbay Royal Regatta 2025
Fierce competition as Tor Bay delivers champagne conditions Teams from across the country converged on the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, hosts of the latest edition of Torbay Royal Regatta, for three days of intense racing and socialising over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Posted on 8 Sep
Double bill for British Keelboat League
David Haw Memorial Trophy and Women's SAILING Champions League event An action-packed double bill for the British Keelboat League saw teams battling it out both on the Solent in the UK and with the SAILING Champions League in Germany. Posted on 2 Sep
J/70 Europeans in Sweden overall
Brazilian Ralph Rosa's Mindset tops fleet, Portuguese Vasco Serpa's Solyd is European Champion After five days and 10 races, the leaders of the Apotea J/70 European Championship were shuffling until the final downwind leg. Posted on 30 Aug
J/70 Europeans in Sweden Day 4
Vasco Serpa's Solyd of Portugal launches into the overall lead Sporty conditions challenged teams and equipment Friday at the Apotea J/70 European Championship, as two more races brought the current total to eight. Posted on 29 Aug
J/70 Europeans in Sweden Day 3
A new leader has emerged With six races now in the books as of the middle day of the Apotea J/70 European Championship, a new leader has emerged: Luis Martin Cabiedes's Noticia of Spain. Posted on 28 Aug
44th Hamble Winter Series Entries Open
Racing starts on the weekend of 4th & 5th October Entries are now open for the 44th Hamble Winter Series. This annual event, which has something for everyone, will start on the weekend of 4th & 5th October 2025. Posted on 28 Aug
J/70 Europeans in Sweden Day 2
Ralph Rosa's Mindset (BRA) kept hold of the leaderboard Sunny skies and moderate winds allowed two more races Wednesday at the Apotea J/70 European Championship, bringing the total to four out of 10. Posted on 27 Aug
From Gut Feel to Fast Numbers
The Data Driven Edge for Your Best Season Yet The season might be ending for some and just beginning for others, but the goal is the same: finding those extra gains that separate leaders from the pack. Now's the time to stop guessing and start repeating the fast settings that deliver results. Posted on 27 Aug
J/70 Europeans in Sweden Day 1
The teams completed two races in light and shifty conditions The 2025 Apotea J/70 European Championship got under way Tuesday for 64 boats from 17 nations on the waters east of Sandhamn, Sweden. Posted on 26 Aug
J/Teams eclipse Chester Race Week 2025
Another wonderful week in the beautiful little seaside village of Chester, Nova Scotia The beautiful little seaside village of Chester, Nova Scotia, played host to another wonderful Chester Race Week Posted on 25 Aug