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
