Breeze on launches J/70 Midwinters

Miami, FL (February 21, 2020) – Fifty-three J/70s took to the famous waters of Biscayne Bay to open the 2020 J/70 Midwinter Championship in fresh conditions of 15-20 knots, topping out at 24. Following an onshore postponement as a front passed, the winds shifted and teams were able to complete two races.

Joel Ronning’s Catapult won both races with crew Victor Diaz De Leon, Christopher Stocke, and Patrick Wilson. Ignacio Perez’s Zaguero from Mexico excelled in the conditions, posting a 3,4 for 7 points. Two teams are tied at 9 points for the following positions: John Heaton’s Empeiria and John & Molly Baxter’s Team Vineyard Vines.

Besides the USA, seven other nations are competing, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Great Britain, Mexico and Turkey.

Following Catapult in the opening race were local Pamela Rose on Rosebud and Perez. In the second contest, Heaton and the Baxters trailed Ronning over the finish line.

Nine races are scheduled on February 21-24 in Miami, FL.

Event details – Results – Facebook

Day One Results (Top 10 of 53; 2 races)
1. Catapult, Joel Ronning / Victor Diaz De Leon / Christopher Stocke / Patrick Wilson , USA – 1 -1 ; 2
2. Zaguero, Ignacio Perez / Santiago Perez / Juan Perez / Moritz Spitzauer , MEX – 3 -4 ; 7
3. Empeiria, John Heaton / Will Felder / Zeke Horowitz / Zach Mason , USA – 7 -2 ; 9
4. Team Vineyard Vines, John Baxter / Molly Baxter / Allan Terhune / Ben Lamb , USA – 6 -3 ; 9
5. Rosebud, Pamela Rose / Willem Van Waay / Goncalo Ribeiro / Bernardo Freitas , USA – 2 -10 ; 12
6. Mr. Pitiful, Kevin Downey / Matt Woodworth / Brian Thomas / Patrick Norris , USA – 4 -13 ; 17
7. Surge, Ryan McKillen / John Wallace / Mark Mendelblatt / Sam Loughborough , USA – 12 -6 ; 18
8. Stampede, Bruno Pasquinelli / Charlie McKee / Jonathan McKee / Orrin Starr , USA – 9 -9 ; 18
9. Midlife Crisis, Bruce Golison / Steve Hunt / Brian Porter / Erik Shampain , USA – 5 -17 ; 22
10. Rimette, John Brim / Jackson Benvenutti / Mike Coe / Geoff Ewenson , USA – 10 -14 ; 24