Last weekend, the three “little rockets” drove in convoy to compete in the fourth annual Buffalo J22 Raw Bar Regatta.
With 43 entries, featuring the rock stars of the J22 North American circuit, it was the first major one-design regatta for Tinker Bell (Cathy Harris, Jenny Marten, Jessa Amos, Femke) and turned out to be a veritable trial by fire. Eight races were sailed over 2 days in winds of 15-25 knots and waves of up to 8 feet – conditions we don’t often practice in on the Lake of Two Mountains.
We had great support and encouragement from the company of our dear friends and husbands on Jazz (Ron Harris, John Marten, Pete Amos) and Springbok (Michelle Jutras, Ryan Beck, Bernard le Duc). From time to time we sailed close to them, but mostly we got to admire their transoms and awesome spinnaker flying. Both teams performed impressively with Springbok placing 26th and Jazz 13th. Jazz would have done even better, except for an OCS in the last race which they didn’t hear as their radio was not working.
It was tough and we got bruised, I went over-board but my crew stayed calm and pulled me back in. I’m very proud of our team and the way we handled the multiple challenges. We had some moments of brilliance too – surfing down the rollers and beating Jazz off the start line (Yeah!). We stayed out there, placed 35th, came together as a team, had loads of fun and won the party. Definitely an experience to be recommended and repeated.
To see more amazing photos go to the Tim Wilkes website http://www.marinephotography.biz/searchlinksJ22E09.html.
And for full results click on http://www.j22buffalo.com/2009results.html
