Saturday, September 15, 2012

J/22 Sailing MoBay- "Hannah Montana" Report!

J/22 one-design sailboats- sailing Montego Bay, Jamaica(Montego Bay, Jamaica)- The Jamaica J/22 Class had a fabulous third meet in Montego Bay.  The second meet was a hoot, but the third one was even better- we called it the "Hannah Montana" special.  We had six races in 5 to 25 kt winds.  For the most part there were three race per day with at most two hours on the water per day.  Too short, you say?

Well, here in MoBay we take most kindly to the most "considerate" sailing imaginable. After all, it's beautiful here.  The people are beautiful, too.  And, they are simply wonderful and laid back.  Don't believe us?  Please come down and join us, mon!  Be assured, we can show you a good time!

J/22 sailboat- sailing upwind off JamaicaSo, here's an example of how we sail-- There should be no such thing as a ‘close call’ in a port-starboard that doesn’t result in a protest and this past weekend people realized that as port boat in close quarters they must either tack and (preferably) lee bow, or duck.  A good duck can only mean that the chances are the roles will be reversed at the next encounter further up the course!!

The fleet was very conservative at the start on both days with ZIPPER playing at the port end and clearing easily across the fleet on a couple of occasions.

J/22s sailing off JamaicaOnce again a square short start line, with excellent race management from Evelyn Harrington and Robbin Delisser, the fleet was able to enjoy a focus on extremely close racing.  The only thing persistent for the whole weekend was that there was no right or wrong on the way up the course and 20 degree shifts were the norm.  Those that could capitalize gained big and those that couldn’t - well, next time.  Boat speed helped but as RENEGADE proved with her oldest sails pointing the bow in the right direction ensured a place well up in the fleet was really possible.

Sunday’s racing had everyone in the bar within 2.5 hours albeit with rain preventing the boats from coming out of the water.  There is so much positive energy and reaction to the impetus we can only hope that Montego Bay can generate as much participation in Kingston in the coming months.

Thanks to "Hanna Montana" for the title and a pink beach ball picked up during a downwind leg on "Renegade" which even has a little bell in it!!  Cool runnings, dudes, kids will love this one!  Sailing photo credits- Evelyn Harrington   For more Royal Jamaica YC and J/22 Montego Bay sailing information