(Algarrobo, Chile)- On the Pacific Ocean, about 90 miles due west of the
capital city of Santiago, the Chilean J/70 and J/105 classes
participated in the Cofradía Náutica Del Pacífico’s celebration of their
48th birthday last weekend. A fleet of thirty-three boats sailed in
the event of Algarrobo, with 20 boats racing in IRC classes along with
six J/105s and seven J/70s. Remarkably, in a period of less than five
years, the J/Boats have become the largest one-design fleets in Chile!The J/105 and IRC classes were sent on long, random-leg courses around the large, picturesque bay off Algarrobo. The J/70s sailed three windward/ leeward course races just off the yacht club. Considering that it’s late winter/ early spring down in Chile, the regatta had warm weather, with a large, long period swell from faraway storms rolling across the bay and nice gentle seabreezes from the southwest blowing 10-15 kts all weekend.
After sailing, the fleet enjoyed cocktails and awards at the club. In fact, there were special awards for the Cofradía Nautica employees that helped protect the boats and club infrastructure during the massive winter storm that hit the Chilean coastline at the beginning of August— in short, the storm behaved a lot like a huge gale/ near hurricane. The club also recognized the enormous contribution and visibility gained for Chilean sailors by José Muñoz; he has raced around the world twice, finishing 2nd in the last Barcelona World Race in the IMOCA 60 class! Thereafter, the celebration continued with awards and plenty of “pisco-colas” and “pisco sours” late into the evening! Thanks for the report from Juan Eduardo Reid in Algarrobo.
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