One-Design J/111 Fleet Sailing!(Chicago, IL)- Sailing from June 7th to 9th will be what many consider to be the celebration that ushers in the summer sailing season off the Chicago waterfront, the Sperry Topsider Chicago NOOD Regatta hosted by Chicago Yacht Club. It's one of the biggest regattas in the Sailing World NOOD circuit and 153 boats are participating with 33 J teams sailing (about 22% of the fleet and the dominant offshore brand at the regatta).
There will be three J one-design fleets participating, including J/105s, J/109s and J/111s. In addition, there are J's sailing in the PHRF Racing and ORR Offshore racing and cruising fleets.
With seven entries, the J/111s will be sailing in the first part of their Great Lakes Circuit that culminates in the J/111 North Americans sailed at Chicago YC in August. That circuit includes Chicago NOOD, Chicago-Mackinac Race, Verve Cup Offshore and the J/111 NA's. The racing will be close as nearly all the teams will have two years of racing under their belts. And, other than the fact that KASHMIR has won the Chicago-Mac Race the last two years running in the class, all the "round-the-cans" events have produced excellent sailing and different teams hopping onto the podium each time. With good crews on all boats, it's next to impossible to handicap these horses at the local betting parlor on the south side. Nevertheless, six of the players are familiar competitors (Paul Stahlberg's MENTAL, Steve Dabrowski's NIGHTHAWK, the trio of Miz/Dreher/Hatfield on IMPULSE that won Chicago NOOD last year, Rich Witzel's ROWDY, the trio of Brummel/Henderson/Mayer on KASHMIR and Len Siegal's LUCKY DUBIE). With closed-course racing, all will win, place or show in many races during the regatta. Newcomer to the gangsters in Chicago will be William Smith's WOOTON from Bay Harbor YC.
Fair winds and good luck to all, a simply smashing social event for three straight days, sponsored by Mt Gay Rum amongst other notable sponsors! For more Sperry Topsider Chicago NOOD Regatta sailing information
