2020 J/24 Midwinter Championship at Eau Gallie Yacht Club - Overall
by Julie & Christopher Howell 2 Mar 2020 16:46 NZDT
28 February - 1 March 2020
All legs of all eight races were needed to determine the winner of the 2020 J/24 Midwinter Championship at Eau Gallie Yacht Club in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. A victory by Tony Parker's Bangor Packet in the final contest, coupled with a U-Flag penalty for leader Mike Ingham's Nautalytics, gave Parker with crew Will Bomar, Emmet Todd, Zeke Horowitz and James Niblock the title.
Bangor Packet recorded only top-four scores throughout the three-day event, and finished with 18 net points, one better than John Mollicone's Buckaroo/New England Ropes.
Mollicone started slowly out of the gate on Friday, but then notched five finishes in the top three (including a pair of bullets) to nearly capture the Championship. Ingham claimed the third position overall with 20 points, and Keith Whittemore's Furio was just another point behind in fourth. Thirty-three teams competed from February 28 through March 1 in brisk conditions.
"It was one of the tightest regattas we have ever sailed," said Parker. "The regatta was won on the final leeward leg. It was fun and challenging, and any of the top six boats could have won. We had a terrific team with Zeke, James, Will and Emmet. They performed brilliantly."
Overall Results: (top five)
1. Bangor Packet, Anthony Parker, 2-3-[4]-4-3-1-4-1; 18pts
2. Buckaroo/New England Ropes, John Mollicone, [7]-5-5-3-1-2-1-2; 19pts
3. Nautalytics, Mike Ingham, 6-2-2-2-2-3-3-[34/UFD]; 20pts
4. Furio, Keith Whittemore, 4-1-1-5-5-[20]-2-3; 21pts
5. Tyrus, Kirk Reynolds, 3-4-3-1-4-7-[16]-6; 28pts
Full results available here.