Breezy opener at J/24 World Championship

Newport, RI September 22, 2014) – Seventy teams from 13 countries joined today for the first of five days at the 2014 J/24 World Championship. Two races were completed on the ocean course in blustery conditions, with five-leg races and 1.5 mile opening beats.

The top of the fleet saw some familiar names but also some fresher faces. Mark Hillman’s Sokokumaru (USA) and Vernon Robert’s Gringa DC (Chile) are tied at five points, with Hillman having the first-place advantage thanks to a bullet. Will Welles’s Cougar (USA) landed just two points behind in third place.

Local Welles thrived in the 14-16 knot breezes of the initial contest, which also saw 3-5 feet waves and larger swells. Fellow Newport resident John Mollicone’s Helly Hansen team followed Cougar in second, and Robert’s Gringa DC in third. Winds dropped slightly to 12-14 knots in the second race, which suited Hillman’s Sokokumaru just fine as he notched that bullet. Robert’s Gringa DC moved up to the runner-up spot, and Pedro Garra’s Extasis of Uruguay followed in third.

Hosted by Sail Newport, 10 races are scheduled through Friday.

Day One Standings (Top 10 of 70; 2 races)
1. Sokokumaru, Mark Hillman , USA – 4 -1 ; 5
2. Gringa DC, Vernon Robert , CHI – 3 -2 ; 5
3. Cougar, Will Welles , USA – 1 -6 ; 7
4. Helly Hansen, John Mollicone , USA – 2 -10 ; 12
5. Bruschetta, Mauricio Santa Cruz , BRA – 12 -4 ; 16
6. Extasis, Pedro Garra , URU – 14 -3 ; 17
7. Pipe Dream, Mike Marshall , USA – 6 -13 ; 19
8. Team Tarheel, Greg Griffin , USA – 16 -7 ; 23
9. Semi Pro, Matias Seguel , CHI – 21 -5 ; 26
10. White Squall, Shigetoshi Shirahama , JPN – 5 -21 ; 26

Event website – Complete results – Photos

Report by class media.