Two J/80s from the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club traveled to Marion, Massachusetts this past weekend to compete in the J/80 North American Championships. Twenty-two boats raced in moderate to heavy breezes. Jeff Curtis’ SILKIE, with Jeff skippering and BHYC instructors Tori Thompson and Cole Brauer on board, finished 16th overall. Cole’s college teammate Michael Pacholski flew in from Hawaii to complete the team. Jeff’s crew was the lightest in the regatta which proved challenging as the breezes increased each day with Sunday’s racing with winds in the mid-teens gusting to the low 20s. Jeff said the experience was extremely valuable and truly appreciated sailing with the very talented crew he had.

Ken and Ginny Colburn’s GHO2T finished 5th overall having moved up from 12th after the first day of racing on Friday. GHO2T had its best day on Sunday with three third place finishes to take 2nd place for the day. Another local sailor, Annie Britton, a former instructor at Southport Yacht Club, was part of their team along with Andrew Kerr of Olympia, Washington and Tim Fetsch, of Charleston, South Carolina. Colburn said that the competition was very strong throughout the fleet and the top boats were extremely well sailed and consistent. It was a well run event with a total of 13 races.

“This was our first major event away from Maine in the new boat and it was good to see we could find ourselves competitive with the best boats. With the higher breezes on Sunday, the team’s experience came to the fore and allowed us race at the top of the fleet all day. Our success is attributable to a very strong team effort,” said Ken Colburn.

The J/80 North Ameican’s followed the very successful J/80 East Coast Championships held at BHYC in late August. Second place finisher More Gostosa in the J/80 ECCs finished 2nd in the J/80 North American’s as well. FKA, the winner of the J/80 ECCs, finished sixth just behind local boat GHO2T. GOSTOSA and FKA are both from a very competitive Lake Winnepausakee Fleet which will be holding its annual J/Jamboree later this month. Jeff Curtis’ SILKIE plans to attend the J/Jamboree as they expand their travel race program.