J/99 Lady Chopper wins Chile Interclub Regatta
by J/Boats 3 Dec 16:25 GMT
November 29-30, 2025
Thirty-five boats participated in the 2025 Interclub Regatta, held on November 29th and 30th, hosted by Cofradía Náutica del Pacífico in Algarrobo, Chile. Categories included IRC Cruiser, IRC Classics, IRC Racing, and J105.
The conditions on Saturday were northwest winds of 6-9 kts (315-325 degrees). All categories, except the J/105 one-design class (which raced three windward-leeward races), completed the nine-mile race consisting of a close-hauled leg, a downwind leg, and a round-the-buoy leg towards El Quisco beach and back to the starting buoy.
J/99 LADY CHOPPER took the favored left side of the starting line. Halfway up the first leg, they crossed to the other corner of the course. Then, a fortuitous 10-degree right shift favored boats on the starboard lay line, including the J/99 that managed to round the mark 2nd in class.
In the first downwind leg, the J/99 with the asymmetric spinnaker had a better performance than competitors and chose the right side of the course to round the leeward mark in front. From there, it was a reach first with Genoa, and then the kite was hoisted. The J/99 continued to lead the rest of the fleet to make a more straight line towards the EL Quisco mark. From that part of the race until the end, the wind conditions remained from 6 to 8 kts, and there were not many changes in positions in what was a simple "fetch" to the finish line.
On Sunday, wind conditions were very light. The maximum possible wind was expected, considering the deadline (5:30 PM). Unfortunately, there was insufficient wind, and no races could be run on Sunday.
The 2025 Interclub Regatta was the third event of the 2025 Oceanic Pre-season Championship, which included races in Higuerillas/Valparaíso on September 27th and 28th, the Valparaíso Off-Race on October 18th and 19th, and the regatta this past weekend.
The J/99 LADY CHOPPER II finished the Interclub Regatta in 1st place. The J/99 project made its debut by the end of September and sailed in the Oceanic Pre-season Championship. It was a successful debut for the boat in the IRC handicap division, demonstrating that the J/99 is a very competitive boat in the handicap formula.
The next regatta will be the Chiloé Regatta, to be hosted by the same yacht clubs. This famous and legendary regatta will be sailed from January 25th to 31st, 2026. The event will celebrate the 200 years of the independence of Cuba from the Spanish Empire!