Thursday, July 11, 2013

MENDIETA Wins J/24 Copa Olivos

J/24 one-design sailboat- sailing off Buenos Aires, Argentina (Olivos, Argentina)- As part of their 150th Anniversary celebrating the founding of the city of Olivos in Argentina, the YC Olivos held the Copa Olivos Regatta in their fleet of J/24s.  The J/24 sailors were blessed with absolutely gorgeous sailing conditions on the Rio de lat Plata off Buenos Aires.  The races were impeccably managed by the YCO PRO Juan Gutierrez.

On Saturday, June 29th three races were run with very good wind offshore, with a steady oscillating breeze between 10 and 17 knots. Sunday's sailing on June 30th was not so good, only managing to get in one race because of so little wind.

J/24 sailboats- sailing on Rio de la Plata, Argentina- off Buenos AiresIn the end, MENDIETA skippered by Pancho Van Avermaete won the regatta overall with a strong 2-1-1-2 record for 6 pts overall.  They were followed by Sergio Pendola on CACIQUE sailing to a 1-2-2-3 tally for 8 pts in second. And, the Rina Cubría family (with Nicolas Cubria steering) were third on RINA with a 5-3-3-1 for 12 pts..

The fleet welcomes the new owner of MAPUCHE (Hector Longarela) and it looks like the Longarela brothers are surely going to be a cheerleader for the regattas in the second half of 2013! After all, in their first regatta they got a fourth overall!

Remember, in BA its "winter sailing" at the "summer solstice" in the northern hemisphere!  But, we can still sail while our friends ski in the famous ski resort of Cordoba off to the West in the Andes Mountains.

Of further note, it was a very encouraging start for the crew of the CUBA MATACO Club that was led by Miguel Cutuli-- a very outstanding performance.  TIGRE II was sailed by William Benchetrit and Claudio Monaco, showing excellent sportsmanship, speed and perhaps the most improved sailor of the group.
For more J/24 Copa Olivos sailing information