Convexity takes the Fourth Annual J/105 Match Racing Invitational

 

 

The first day the race committee ran a full round robin consisting of seven flights with four matches each.  The weather was spectacular for this sailing arena just off the shore near Jackson Park.  Early in the day we started with 18 knots of breeze off the land and the breeze built throughout the day settling in at 25 knots steady with puffs eclipsing 30 by the end of the day.  This put a premium on boat handling for the shorter courses used for match racing.  Under these conditions, David Wagner's Gigi emerged unbeaten and claimed the top seed for Sunday.

 

Sunday brought more civilized weather to let the top teams show their tactical abilities.  The wind started from the north-east at around five knots and gradually built to around eight knots as the sea breeze filled in.  In the first to two points semifinals, Gigi eliminated RedPortLeft and Don Wilson's Convexity eliminated Blane Shea's Striking in three races.  The first to three point finals began with Gigi winning the first race, but Convexity rebounded to win the next three to take the event.

 

I'd like to extend my personal thanks to the cast that helped pull this event together.  It was truly a unique mid-western event with umpire boats coming from three clubs and several umpires coming from as far away as Sheboygan.  An all-star Chicago team led by Dick Schweers as PRO, Gary Hendrickson as Chief Umpire and Cliff Black as Certified Umpire pulled the sailing on the water together into a spectacular event.  Janet Hansen's efforts along with the broad membership of JPYC showcased the hospitality of JPYC that those of us that have come back multiple times have become accustomed to expect.  More pictures of the event can be found at http://www.j105matchrace.com.

 

Marty McKenna

J/105 "RedPortLeft"