Sandberg Estates J/70 World Championship at Real Club Náutico de Palma – Day 3
by Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 20 Sep 13:12 PDT
13-22 September 2024
Yonder maintains the lead on the penultimate day.
The American team, captained by Douglas Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot, continues to dominate the championship, extending their lead by 15 points over their closest competitor.
It was an exciting penultimate day at the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds. With the final standings in view, the fleet began to prepare for their last push, while the North American team “Yonder” retained their top spot in the event organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International Association for the J/70 class.
Forecasts predicted south winds intensifying to ten knots, prompting the Race Committee to gather the fleet again on Friday by 11:30h. The teams left the dock on time, and although there was an initial delay on the racecourse waiting for the wind to stabilize, the penultimate competition day commenced in the Bay of Palma.
American team Richard Witzel’s “Rowdy,” which secured a third-place podium finish yesterday, managed to take command and won the first race of the day, allowing them a momentary victory while pushing Douglas Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot’s “Yonder” down to second place after finishing tenth.
The second and third places went to other American team “Kid’s Table,” led by Bryce Kalow, and Brazilian team Renato Faria’s “To Nessa,” respectively.
In the second race, the teams vying for the podium, aware of dwindling opportunities in the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds, intensified their efforts to climb as high as possible on the leaderboard. Victory went to the defending champions, British team Charles Thompson and Tom Mallindine with “Brutus II,” followed by “Yonder” in second and “Kid’s Table” in third.
With these outcomes, the penultimate day concluded with “Yonder” at the top of the overall standings. The yacht from New York YC is undoubtedly the favorite to win Saturday’s championship, having increased their margin by 15 points over the Brazilians Ralph Vasconcellos’ “Mindset” from IC Río de Janeiro and nineteen ahead of their compatriots “Kid’s Table” from Wayzata YC, who currently hold the provisional third with a solid second and third place finish today.
“We’re competing well. It’s been very intense and competitive, and frankly, we’re fortunate to be here,” said Douglas Newhouse, the skipper of the leading team. “Palma is amazing, and the club is exceptionally welcoming. We’ve received a fantastic reception,” he added.
On Saturday, 96 teams from 25 countries will face the final and decisive day of the championship, with everything still at stake and rain predicted for most of the day.
The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 2024 is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International J/70 Association, sponsored by Sandberg Estates, with institutional support from Palma Town Hall, the Spanish Navy, the Baleares Port Authority, the Spanish Royal Sailing Federation, and the Baleares Sailing Federation.
Results after Day 4: (top five)
1. [USA] Yonder, Douglas Newhouse/Jeremy Wilmot, 44pts
2. [BRA] Mindset, Ralph Vasconcellos, 59pts
3. [USA] Kid’s Table, Bryce Kalow, 63pts
4. [USA] Rowdy, Richard Witzel, 66pts
5. [GBR] Brutus II, Charles Thompson/Tom Mallindine, 67pts
Full results can be found here.
For more information, visit www.rcnp.es/j70worlds
