Chicago welcomes J/70 North Americans

Nearly 50 teams are registered for the 2023 J/70 North American Championship to be held September 21-24 in Chicago, IL. Twelve races are planned with the entrants to complete across five different divisions: Open, One-Pro, Corinthian, Mixed, and Youth.

“We are expecting the best competitors from all over the United States, and we will be joined by international teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, the U.K. and Turkey,” reports Eileen O’Neill Gioielli, event co-chair.

Returning is 2022 J/70 North American Champion Jud Smith who will crew for Jack Franco alongside Bill Hardesty and Patrick Wilson. Smith and Wilson are among a handful of two-time winners that will compete. Chicago native Cate Muller-Terhune, who finished second a year ago, is also back with her team.

“Not only are competitors flying in from all corners of the US and around the world, but the class requires an International Jury,” says Claire O’Neill, event co-chair. “We will have judges representing five countries. Additionally, we will have three inspectors, Deputy Race Official Jen Steffler and Principal Race Officer Mark Foster.”

The North American Championship comes less than two months before the 2023 J/70 World Championship, set to take place October 30-November 5 in St. Petersburg, FL.

Event information – Race details – Entry list

Source: CYC