The 2009 J/24 Western Regional Championship was held on the waters of
San Francisco Bay this last weekend, September 19th – 20th, 2009. It was
hosted by the Berkeley Yacht Club who delivered great racing and
exceptional hospitality! As we know, the Bay Area is considered one of
the most popular sailing venues in the country and once again proved
that that premise is true.
BYC held a practice race on the evening of Friday, September 18th which
allowed the out-of-town teams to get oriented to the local conditions
prior to the Western Regionals kicking-off. The Western Regional
Championship was planned as the “feeder” event for the 2009 J/24 U.S.
National Championship being held this weekend at San Francisco Yacht Club.
The Western Regionals were comprised of seven (7) relatively short
course races which were sailed by seventeen (17) teams from as far away
as Annapolis, MD, Seattle, Washington and Dana Point. The racing took
place on the “Berkeley Circle” and the PRO was Jeff Zarwell of
RegattaPro. Conditions on Saturday went from eight (8) to sixteen knots
and on Sunday the wind range was even greater. The fleet raced in five
(5) knots in the first race and ended up racing in twenty-two (22) knots
in the seventh (7th) race of the series.
Keith Whittemore, Tundra Rose, from Seattle bested Mark Hillman, WIP, of
Annapolis, MD. The Racing was very close and competitive as Tundra Rose,
Small Flying Patio Furniture and Tremendous Slouch nailed bullets!
Tundra Rose knocked off four (4) bullets, Tremendous Slouch two (2) and
Small Flying Patio Furniture took the last one.
The final results are posted on the Regattas page.
In winning this regatta, Keith Whittemore of Tundra Rose has qualified
for the 2010 World Championship being held in Malmo, Sweden next August.
Sponsorship wise, the Berkeley Marine Center provided free launches,
hauls and storage for all out-of-town boats traveling in for this
regatta. GU Sports, Berryessa Gap Winery, Cheap Diver and Touchstone
Management Consultants, Inc. provided gifts, goods and services in
support of the regatta.
Looking forward, the 2009 J/24 Nationals are being held this weekend, on
September 25th thru the 27th at the San Francisco Yacht Club. This
affords folks an opportunity to get a few days of wine tasting and
sight-seeing in between the great racing these two events afford.
Details of both these regattas can be found at
www.j24westernregionals.com and www.j24nationals2009.com
