Spectators Welcome at J/29 Invitational Regatta

Case Whittemore on Monday April 15, 2002 05:43PM

The sixth annual FBYC J/29 Invitational Regatta will be held on Friday-Sunday, April 19-21. This regatta continues to attract the best J/29 sailors on the east coast. This year at least 15 boats are expected, including a boat from Ontario, Canada. The quality of racing and competition at this regatta is extraordinary. It is a great opportunity for the Clubs hard-core racers, would-be racers and cruisers to come out and see some exciting competition. Seeing four J/29s keeping their spinnakers up to the last instant and then rounding the leeward mark four-wide is exciting both for the competitors and the spectators. And of course the starts are always full of action. There will be 3 or 4 races on Friday and Saturday, and 2 races on Sunday. So come on out and enjoy the fun.

For those of you who are wondering, the best places to watch the starts are either on the starting line extended at least 50 yards from the pin or at least 50 yards downwind of the starting line. In any case, be ready to move farther away if the action comes your direction. The best place to watch the action at the weather mark is at least 30 yards upwind of the mark with your SAILS DOWN. The leeward mark will be the pin end of the starting line, so the best place is off to the side or downwind.

Tune your VHF radio to channel 65 to hear David Lee, the chairman of the race committee, communicate with the competitors. You will learn crucial information such as what the course will be, when the starts will occur and when there has been a course change. The first warning gun is scheduled for 1100 on Friday, 1030 on Saturday and 1000 on Sunday. Remember under the new starting system, the start is only 5 minutes after the warning gun. This will be a good opportunity for future race committee members to see the new starting system in action.

Come on out and route for the local J/29sFast Lane (Jay McArdle), Killshot (Bob Wardwell), Liverpool Jarge (Frank Glawson), Patriot (Case Whittemore) and Titillation (Paul Andersen).

Case Whittemore
Chairman, FBYC J/29 Invitational Regatta

Spectators Welcome at J/29 Invitational Regatta

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