Sandberg Estates J/70 World Championship at Real Club Náutico de Palma – Day 2
by Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 18 Sep 11:10 PDT
13-22 September 2024
Douglas Rastrello’s USA “Good to go” excelled on the second day of competition, while Douglas Newhouse’s “Yonder” maintained its lead for a second consecutive day.
The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds remain competitive. Hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) and the J/70 Class International Association, only one race was completed today, allowing US “Yonder” to keep its lead and placing Spanish “Patakin” in contention for the podium.
After the first day concluded yesterday, the race committee decided to commence today’s races thirty minutes earlier. The first starting signal was set for 11:00, anticipating a decrease in wind later. This decision proved correct, as the racing began on schedule in conditions of eight to twelve knots from the northeast.
The wind lasted long enough to finish a single, complex race where the fleet had to maximize every gust while minimizing errors. USA’s Douglas Rastrello’s “Good to go,” representing Newport Harbor YC, delivered an outstanding performance, capturing first place and improving to fourth overall with a record of 2-29-1.
Rastrello commented, “We feel good, but in this regatta placing first, second, or 29th is possible, which epitomizes sailing in large fleets—just when you think you have it down, you might finish 20th. We’re just 30% into the regatta, and there’s much race ahead; it’ll be interesting.”
Great performances came from Luis Albert’s “Patakin,” finishing second—a brilliant outcome elevating the Real Club Náutico de Palma boat seven spots to sixth overall, pending the chance to discard a 34th from yesterday as they seek to challenge for a podium position.
Third place in today’s race was secured by another North American team, Dick Kalow’s “Superior 1” from Wayzata YC.
Upon arrival at the RCNP pontoons, Joan Cardona, a crew member of ‘Patakin,’ remarked, “Today was quite challenging, with a shore wind gradually weakening. After a solid start, we sailed well for a strong result, bringing us to sixth—excited to continue competing this week.”
As for the overall standings, Douglas Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot’s “Yonder” leads with consistent results, achieving one first and two seventh finishes. They hold a thirteen-point lead over the second-place British “Brutus II,” helmed by Charles Thompson of the Royal Southern YC, which placed fourth. Brazilian Ralph Vasconcellos’ “Mindset” from IC Rio de Janeiro sits in third, fifteen points behind.
If conditions allow, the race committee will aim to conduct three races tomorrow to make up for today’s missed race. Anticipations are high for the discard rule to come into play. Starting from the fifth race, each team can eliminate their worst result, likely altering the overall standings.
Racing will resume tomorrow, starting at 10:30.
The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 2024 is hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International J/70 Class Association, with sponsorship from Sandberg Estates and support from the Palma City Council, the Spanish Navy, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, and the Balearic Sailing Federation.
Results after Day 2: (top five)
1. [USA] Yonder, Douglas Newhouse/Jeremy Wilmot, 15pts
2. [GBR] Brutus II, Charles Thompson, 28pts
3. [BRA] Mindset, Ralph Vasconcellos, 30pts
4. [USA] Good to go, Douglas Rastrello, 32pts
5. [USA] Savasana, Brian Keane, 35pts
More information at www.rcnp.es/j70worlds
