2006 J24 Women�s U.S. Open Championship
(July 14-16, 2006) The 2006 J24 Women�s U.S. Open
Championship Regatta hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, Mass., kicked
off Friday morning with what the locals called a typical Buzzard�s Bay day:� clear, sunny skies and a prevailing southwesterly
sea breeze that came in early and built throughout the day to approximately 16
-22 knots.� The race committee did an
excellent job throughout the weekend, starting three races Friday and Saturday
and two races on Sunday.� At the end of
Day One, it was Quantum Racing with Sarah Buckley from Chicago at the helm
taking 1-1-3, and Ohio�s Nancy Zangerle on No Twisted Knickers with a 2-2-1,
which tied the two teams for first with five points each.� Karen Kelley of Pussy G�s Circus was in
third with 14 points.
Saturday morning�s racing was delayed due to a heavy bank of
fog that rolled in during the morning and finally lifted around noon.� The breeze filled in from the southwest at
about 10-16 knots with flatter seas.�
Quantum Racing broke Friday�s scoring tie for first with two bullets and
a second, pulling ahead of No Twisted Knickers by six points. Airodoodle moved into
third by finishing the day with a first place finish.
Light and variable wind was the weather order for the final
day of racing. Two races were sailed in light and shifty conditions with a strong
current.� Quantum Racing finished the
day with a 3rd and an 8th (throw out) in the last two races of the series,
which put them in first place by three points.�
No Twisted Knickers came in second overall and Airodoodle finished
third.
Quantum Racing qualified for the 2007 J24 Class World
Championship in Mexico as a result of this weekend�s win. Buckley, along with
Lindsey Duda and Laura Muma from Chicago, joined forces with Heather Ambrose and
Suzy Coburn of Burlington, Vt.� Sara
Waters from Newport, R.I. subbed on the team Friday, filling in for Katie
Hansmann also from Newport, who raced Saturday and Sunday.� This was the first time all six sailors had
ever sailed together and for some, it was their first or second time sailing on
a J24.
The BYC did a wonderful job ensuring the participants had as
much fun off the water as on.� Housing
was arranged for all the out-of-town crews and post-race festivities ranged from
parties at the yacht club to dinner at a private home Friday evening, complete
with a steel drum Calypso band playing on the porch overlooking the beautiful
bay. Click here for complete results.
Winning Quantum Racing Team
Images below by Anne Converse
