Friday, August 30, 2013

J Sailors Cruise to Victory @ Penobscot Bay Rendezvous

J/160 sailing Penobscot BayJudy Jellinek's J/160 Queen of the Fleet
(Camden, Maine)-  There is no more desirable sailing venue than scenic Penobscot Bay in August, and this year’s Rendezvous sailed from August 15th to 18th was near perfect with temperatures in the mid 70s,  blue skies every day and sailing breezes from 5 to 15 knots every day.

J/42 superstar- Tom Babbitt- sailing fast from lee helm!Forty-two boats participated (40% were J’s) and they covered the J/Boat spectrum with two J/160s, two J/46s, three J/42s, a J/40 and a J/34C from the cruising ranks as well as a J/122,  J/120, J/109, two J/100s and a J/29 and a J/80.  No surprise that J’s took 60% of the podium positions.

In PHRF 1 J’s took three of the top four spots with Don Logan’s J/105 KEEMAH coming second followed by two J/100s, Tom Gill's SEA SMOKE in 3rd and Frank Simon's SMITTEN in fourth.

PHRF 2 was dominated by Larry Turner’s J/29 RENEGADE with 5 points followed by Jesse Henry’s J/80 CHAISE LOUNGE with 8 points in second.

J/160 September Morning- Judy JellinekCruising Canvas came down to a nail biter between Judy Jellinek’s gorgeous J/160 SEPTEMBER MORNING, the venerable Palmer Johnson 53 Anjaca, with deep local knowledge aboard,  and Windwalker, a stunning Lyman Morse 60.  Had there been a concours d elegance it would have been a dead heat!  On the final day, SEPTEMBER MORNING was able to save her overall victory with a one point margin over Anjacaa and Windwalker.  A great effort by Judy in her third ever regatta!

Double-Handed was the largest class with sixteen entrants and it turned into a battle royal between a very well sailed Sydney 38 sailed by Tom Hall and Tom Babbitt's BRAVO, a shoal draft J42 in full cruise mode, cockpit cushions, dodger and grill deployed. BRAVO was able to win the first day, with Buzz second,  but Buzz dominated on Saturday with BRAVO second,  so Sunday was the rubber match and in the stronger breeze, Buzz eeked out a 20 second victory over BRAVO.  The final standings were Buzz in first, BRAVO second and Bermuda One-Two overall champion, Scott Miller’s J/122 RESOLUTE, in third.  Fifth was James Bennett's J/34c ASTAEA.   Next year’s Rendezvous will be August 14 – 17, 2014.  Don’t miss it!
For more Penobscot Bay Rendezvous sailing information