September 9 – 11, 2022 - Jakob Lichtenberg: Tremendous Slouch defends their Western Regional title over 11 races.
The Seattle J/24 Fleet hosted the J/24 Western Regionals out of Leschi on Lake Washington this past weekend. 12 teams from San Francisco, CA, Sandpoint, ID and Seattle, WA competed for the Western Regionals trophy as well as a berth for the upcoming J/24 World Championship to be held in September 2023 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The regatta was the first ever major J/24 regatta on Lake Washington and the racing was excellent. Saturday’s racing was combined with the Lake Fall regatta for the Thistle and San Juan 24 classes, offering six races in a northerly 6-12 kts. The J/24s sailed without the other two classes on Sunday racking up additional five races; this time in a southerly and about same wind as Saturday (last course being mega race SAXXBZBZF).
Tremendous Slouch with crew Scott Milne, Tom Niccoli, Jim Barrett, Chris Walker, and Rob Green dominated with 6 bullets over 11 races. They defended their win from San Francisco Bay in 2022 and proved they can perform in all conditions. On Sunday Slouch even managed to secure a convincing last place finish demonstrating their come-back-ability.
The very Tremendous Slouch crew Tom Niccoli, Jim Barrett, Scott Milne, Chris Walker, and Rob Green with the perpetual J/24 Western Regionals trophy. In the background those that make it happen: PC Wayne Balsiger, RC Troy Childs and Catherine Picha and our BBQ master Remmert Wolters.
Suspense helmed by Joe Petrucci finished 2nd in the event. They secured their spot with a bullet in the final race of the regatta with an impressive 3-minute lead.
Après race socializing with an excellent BBQ sponsored by Beecher’s Cheese and accompanied with cold beer from Valhöll Brewing offered a great opportunity to meet the travelling teams from California and Idaho and cool down after a long day of racing.
A big thank you to everyone that made it happen:
- Our sponsors Valhöll Brewing and Beecher’s Cheese .
- Harry Durch and Denny Vaughan for organizing the event and betting that Lake Washington in September would be worthy of the event (and it was).
- Travel boats Evil Octopus and Little Wing from Richmond, CA and Atomic from Sandpoint Sailing Association/North Flathead Yacht Club.
- Race committee team Troy Childs and Catherine Picha and whaler drivers that ran 11 excellent races.
- Remmert Wolters for hosting the final Lake BBQ of the year.
- Wayne Balsiger, Jared Hickman and Liesl Mordhorst for running our Protect Committee.
- Boat charters from Kevin Downey, Phil Brzytwa, and Denny Vaughan.
About the Seattle J/24 Class. This was the last J/24 event on the Lake for 2022. The Seattle fleet has had 60 local CYC races with up to 21 boats on the line this season. Our Seattle fleet has been at Worlds in Texas, Nationals in Dallas, and even in Ireland for the European Championship. The fleet’s final regatta is in first weekend of October at the yearly PSSC - Small Boat event out of Shilshole. Join us!
Look at the place we sail!!! Mount Rainier and our three news bots that secure straight lines and quick adjustments even under tricky conditions and on deep water.
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Place
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Boat Name
|
Sail Number
|
Skipper Name
|
Score
|
|
1st
|
Tremendous Slouch
|
5471
|
Scott Milne
|
25.0
|
|
2nd
|
Suspence
|
3421
|
Joe Petrucci
|
32.0
|
|
3rd
|
Hair of the Dog
|
5354
|
Jakob Lichtenberg
|
42.0
|
|
4th
|
Self Abuse
|
2845
|
Harry Dursch
|
52.0
|
|
5th
|
Atom Ant
|
1980
|
Bill Taylor
|
52.0
|
|
6th
|
Baba Louie
|
2365
|
Paul Bogataj
|
57.0
|
|
7th
|
Tundra Rose
|
3843
|
Carl Sheath
|
59.0
|
|
8th
|
Jailbreak
|
2171
|
Lydia Volberding
|
64.0
|
|
9th
|
Evil Octopus
|
5277
|
Jasper Van Vliet
|
67.0
|
|
10th
|
Irrational
|
3839
|
Bill Vlases
|
74.0
|
|
11th
|
Atomic
|
674
|
Chris Chambers
|
94.0
|
|
12th
|
Little Wing
|
4268
|
Robin Van Vliet
|
104.0
|
