2024 J/88 North American Championship at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club
by Meghan O’Rourke 2 Oct 11:35 PDT
September 25-29, 2024
J/88 North American Championship 2024 © J/88 North American / Vakaros
The J/88 North American Championship occurred last weekend at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Holland, Michigan. With 11 competitive boats participating, the stage was set for a thrilling competition. Heading into the regatta, Team Banter, led by owner Ben Marden, recognized the strength of the fleet.
“We thought it could be anyone’s regatta, and we would be lucky to reach the podium with such a skilled group of boats and accomplished competitors,” Marden expressed. “Our strategy was to enjoy ourselves, maintain consistency, prioritize effective communication, and manage our emotions.”
The event commenced officially on Thursday, September 26, but Mother Nature had different plans. A lack of wind kept sailors onshore, and by 12:30 EST, the Race Committee raised AP over A, indicating that racing was abandoned for the day. Although competitors were eager to sail, the postponement heightened anticipation for what the upcoming days would bring.
After the cancellation of Thursday’s races, the Race Committee aimed to recover lost time on Friday, with an ambitious goal of completing four races to stay on track. The forecast predicted plenty of action, with wind speeds expected to reach 15 to 20 knots throughout the day, providing perfect conditions for thrilling, high-pressure racing.
Lindsey Duda’s team, Sin Duda, excelled in the challenging conditions. With impeccable boat handling, precise tactics, and excellent teamwork, they dominated the day with three first-place finishes. Their consistency in navigating the variable offshore winds earned them a significant lead in the overall standings. By the end of the day, Sin Duda had established a five-point margin over Banter, which was in second place, while Erica held a strong third position.
Saturday’s forecast predicted a left shift in wind and a diminishing breeze throughout the day, complicating conditions for the fleet. Despite the uncertainty, the Race Committee successfully executed two races early on, taking advantage of the wind before it began to weaken closer to shore. As the breeze decreased and became more unstable, the fleet found themselves in a converging area where shifts and lulls made tactical choices crucial. Understanding the need for better conditions, the Race Committee wisely relocated the course further offshore to capture another race before the end of the day.
Piranha thrived in the tougher conditions, excelling throughout the day, but Lindsey Duda’s Sin Duda continued to hold steady, preserving their lead. Reflecting on the day’s races, David Dennison, owner of Piranha, commented, “On Friday, we thought we sailed well but frequently found ourselves mid-fleet. On Saturday, we returned to the basics, trusting our boat speed and relying on everyone to perform their roles. We focused on our prestart strategy concerning boat setup, tuning, and navigating the course efficiently. The team effectively kept watch for the next breeze and directed us towards it.” Following three challenging races, the leaders—Sin Duda, Banter, and Erica—remained at the top of the standings as they entered Sunday’s concluding races.
On the final racing day, the Race Committee issued a morning notice intending to run three races, hoping to maximize the day despite a tough forecast. The wind was expected to shift left and gradually decrease as the day progressed, indicating that conditions would be difficult.
Keeping this in mind, the RC was determined to complete all three races. The first race of the day proceeded smoothly. By the second race, the wind began to fade. The Race Committee initiated the third race; however, as the fleet rounded the top mark, the wind started to weaken. By the time the competitors rounded the bottom mark, the wind shifted 90 degrees, leading the RC to abandon the third race despite their best efforts.
The frustrating conclusion was disappointing for many, yet the RC’s prompt decision-making ensured fairness in the competition, and participants appreciated their commitment to maximizing racing under challenging conditions.
Sin Duda emerged victorious at the J/88 North American Championship, claiming the overall title, while Piranha secured the Corinthian honors after a competitive weekend of racing. With fierce competition and difficult conditions, the fleet tackled some of the most demanding racing experienced in recent times.
Reflecting on the event, Lindsey Duda, owner of Sin Duda, said, “We expected this to be a battle throughout, and it truly was. The fleet is highly competitive, so we assembled a team with the right personalities to navigate the challenges. The conditions during the event were extremely tricky; not only were we racing against other teams, but we also had to adapt to the unpredictable winds and shifts. I’m grateful we had such a strong team in place, allowing us to handle the challenges while maintaining our focus and composure.”
The success of this regatta was greatly aided by the outstanding leadership of PRO Leif Sigmond, whose skillful race management kept the event running smoothly. The Race Committee and volunteers from Macatawa Bay Yacht Club played an equally crucial role, providing seamless support on and off the water. Their dedication and hospitality made this championship weekend a test of skill and a memorable experience for all involved.
A heartfelt thank you to Macatawa Bay Yacht Club for hosting such an incredible event. It was a weekend filled with tough competition, camaraderie, and a shared love for sailing.
Final Results:
PosBoat NameSail No.OwnerR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9Pts
1Sin Duda USA 14Lindsey Duda11613361319
2Banter USA 21Ben Marden741210434126
3Gaucho USA 16Dave Tufts23482917431
4Piranha (Corinthian) USA 05Dave Dennison56766143233
5Exile (Corinthian) USA 88Andy Graff885415112538
6Dutch (Corinthian) USA 29John Leahey311337676742
7Erica (Corinthian) USA 82Brian Kaczor4525511910646
8Whirlwind (Corinthian) USA 56William Purdy112874859952
9Church Key (Corinthian) USA 75Chris and Liz Chadwick691191121081065
10Julia (Corinthian) USA 85Grace and Michael Gillian97101187851165
11Deviation USA 24Iris Vogel1010910910211868
