Michael Goldfarb secures victory at the J24 Western Regionals in Seattle as teams prepare for the World Championship
by Jay Leon 18 Sep 15:40 PDT
September 14-15, 2024
J24 Western Regionals in Seattle © Jonathan Anderson
With only two weeks remaining until the Beechers Handmade Cheese Seattle 2024 J24 World Championship, sailing teams and boats are commencing their arrival in Seattle.
Competitors from states such as Oregon, California, Montana, British Columbia, Florida, and New York arrived to participate in the J/24 Western Regionals (September 14-15, 2024), also hosted in Seattle. For instance, Daniel Borrer loaded his boat in St. Augustine Beach, FL last week, drove three thousand miles across the country, and reached Seattle just in time to win the first two races on Saturday.
On Saturday, the race committee skillfully completed three races in light to very light winds, accompanied by intermittent light rain. The local Seattle team aboard Hair of the Dog, helmed by Jakob Lichtenberg, led the regatta after the first day with a scorecard of two second-place finishes and a fifth-place finish. “We felt our team focused more on the wind than the current, which we believe was key to our success on day one,” remarked Jon Anderson from Hair of the Dog.
Daniel Borrer, steering Jesus Lizard, ended the day with two first-place finishes and an eighth-place finish, finishing just one point behind Lichtenberg’s Hair of the Dog team. Michael Goldfarb, another local competitor, completed the first day with a fifth-place finish and two third-place finishes.
On Sunday, the consistent northerly breeze contrasted sharply with the previous day’s conditions, culminating in clear sunshine by day’s end. Borrer and his Jesus Lizard team charged ahead on day two, clinching another first-place finish in the fourth race. Goldfarb, an adept Melges 24 and J/70 sailor, demonstrated his extensive experience by improving steadily to secure a second-place finish, increasing pressure on the frontrunners and elevating his team to second overall.
Goldfarb seized the regatta lead in race five with a third-place finish, while the other frontrunners had to account for seventh and ninth-place finishes in the no-throw-out regatta format.
Goldfarb and his skilled team maintained a strong grasp on the lead through the final three races, achieving two first-place finishes and one sixth-place finish. This ultimately allowed Goldfarb and his team to claim victory with 25 points, well ahead of Lichtenberg’s Hair of the Dog team in second place with 41 points, and Borrer’s Jesus Lizard in third with 43 points.
“We enjoyed two days of beautiful sailing in a highly competitive fleet,” said Goldfarb after the regatta concluded. “The Race Committee and club performed exceptionally well, and as for our team, we’re pleased but acknowledge we had some favorable moments over the weekend. Our attention is now on the Worlds, and we eagerly anticipate the competition. But the highlight of the J/24 Western Regionals was undoubtedly the people—this class is truly exceptional, and it’s the people that truly enhance the experience.”
In addition to the teams already present in Seattle, four teams from Japan, three from Italy, three from the UK, along with one each from Argentina, Australia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, and Puerto Rico are also expected.
Final Results:
Pos | Helm | Sail No | Boat Name | Club/Org | Division | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts
1 | Michael Goldfarb | 5347 | None | Cyc | Western Regionals | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 25
2 | Jakob Lichtenberg | 5354 | Hair of the Dog | Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle | Western Regionals | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 41
3 | Daniel Borrer | 2436 | Jesus Lizard | Borrer Yacht Racing | Western Regionals | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 43
4 | Mike Ingham | 5443 | None | RCC | Western Regionals | 8 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 95
5 | Mark Laura | 2365 | Baba Louie | SyC/CyC | 10 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 53
6 | Jasper Van Vliet | 5277 | Evil Octopus | Richmond Yacht Club | Western Regionals | 31 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 361
7 | Paul Bogataj | 1980 | Atom Ant | CYC Seattle | Western Regionals | 7 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 63
8 | Ryan Milne | 5470 | Jester | CYC Seattle | Western Regionals | 4 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 66
9 | Scott Milne | 5471 | Tremendous Slouch | CYC | Western Regionals | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 8 | DNF – 2 | 73
10 | Harry Dursch | 2845 | Self Abuse | CYC | Western Regionals | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 84
11 | Eric Sanderson | 3421 | Suspense | CYC Seattle | Western Regionals | 6 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 86
12 | Philip Brzytwa | 5322 | Ghostface | CYC | 15 | 9 | 22 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 190
13 | Robert Hyslop | 1826 | Rhumba Girl | Sandpoint Sailing Association | Western Regionals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 111
14 | Michael Johnson | 5477 | Pearl | SYC/CYC | Western Regionals | 16 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 614
15 | Carl Sheath | 3843 | Tundra Rose | CYC Seattle | Western Regionals | 11 | 7 | 24 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 120
16 | Kurt Dammeier | 5352 | Amuse Bouche | CyC | None | DSQ – 2 | 61 | 6 | 25 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 19 | 381
17 | Robin Van Vliet | 4268 | Little Wing | Richmond Yacht Club | Western Regionals | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 35 | 47 | 36 | 147
18 | Sam Hopper | 62 | Saltine | PYC | Western Regionals | 14 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 6149
19 | Ashli Slawter | 674 | Atomic | Sandpoint Sailing Association | Western Regionals | 17 | 22 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 17 | DNS – 2 | 41 | 59
20 | Graham Kirby | 3373 | BLURRRR | West Vancouver Yacht Club | Western Regionals | 2 | 3 | 41 | 12 | 0 | 0 | DSQ – 2 | 60
21 | Sarah Hampson | 2939 | Whoo Cares | CYC | 21 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 18 | 163
22 | Denny Vaughan | 3746 | Easy Street | CYC Seattle | Western Regionals | 19 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 14 | 25 | 12 | 37 | 167
23 | Matt Gibbs | 5356 | Alice? | NFYC | Western Regionals | 18 | 15 | 14 | DNF – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNC – 24 | 168
24 | Ginjer Yachechak | 5171 | Queen’s Gambit | North Flathead Yacht Club | Western Regionals | 12 | 25 | 18 | 26 | 21 | 30 | DNC – 2 | 169
25 | Henry Hamby | 2505 | Jester | SSA | Western Regionals | RET – 2 | 26 | 26 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 172
26 | Jake Meulink | 4157 | Katana | South Sound Sailing Society | Western Regionals | 22 | 18 | 23 | 6 | 17 | DNC – 2 | 27 | 172
27 | William Vlases | 3839 | Irrational | CYC | DNC – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNS – 2 | DNC – 2 | DNC – 278 | 398
About the 2024 J/24 World Championship presented by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
The 2024 J/24 World Championship, sponsored by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, will take place from September 28 to October 5 on Puget Sound, just north of Seattle, WA. Hosted by Seattle J/24 Fleet 26 and the Corinthian Yacht Club, the organizing committee consists of an experienced and enthusiastic team led by Regatta Chair Jonathan Anderson and two-time J/24 world champion Keith Whittemore. Mark Foster will serve as Principal Race Officer, while Willi Gohl will oversee the on-the-water judges. In addition to title sponsor Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, major sponsors include The Port of Seattle, Bank of America, Investco, Diamond Parking, Slingshot Kiteboards, Cheap Diver, Fisheries Supply, and CSR Marine. Social events will take place at the Port of Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina. Spectator boats are expected, and live tracking along with highlight video coverage will be available on the event website. The Opening Ceremonies are slated for September 30th at the Nordic Heritage Museum.
https://www.j24worldsseattle.org/
