These are the official 2008 Mystic NCR J Class National Championship results.
I have a few pictures posted in the 2008 NCR Gallery, and possibly some video coming as well... so keep checking back.
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Bruce Walton came for the EC-12 event (and did well) and stayed for the J Class event and did better! He learned of the generous offer of Alan Kew to loan out some of his spare boats, and took advantage of the opportunity to turn in an excellent performance. Dave Brawner said the fleet was absolutely unable to catch Ranger on Sunday. Darren Thigpen who just completed is Whirlwind in the San Francisco area flew out to Mystic and borrowed a boat from Alan as well, but radio problems/batteries proved to be an issue.
Speaking with Dave Brawner after the event on the drive home he proclaimed this the most fun J Class event he had ever attended. Everyone had a great time and the J Class is thriving with many of the attendees being new boats racing for the very first time. The light air conditions at the event and the boats with larger sail plans doing well has caused some skippers with less than 100% rigs to proclaim that there will be some rig adjustments made over the Winter. The rumor is that Sacremento California will be the site of the 2009 NCR. There are quite a few new boats on the West coast with more under construction now, so it should be a great chance to get the West coast involved in some J Class racing.
Saturday, August 23:
I had a report from Bob Sennott from home this evening. He made it to Mystic for today only, and left his boat behind for another to sail. He was very complimentary of the event and staff for their organization and efficient operation, and as everyone does, commented on how nice the Mystic venue is for model sailing.
It appears that there are 15 boats entered and sailing. Darren Thigpen would appear to win the prize for coming the furthest distance as he flew in from San Francisco for the event, and is sailing one of Alan Kew's extra boats... a Whirlwind. Bob said they had some bad luck with a battery onboard and it cost Darren his chance to sail today, but that he did get some practice before it failed, and hopefully will have better luck tomorrow. Bob left his Endeavor there as an alternate just in case so Darren should have something to sail tomorrow.
Bob said that he did not have a list of the skippers, or the score sheet, but felt that the scoring was going fairly historical with Dave Brawner most likely on top. Jarl Wathne has his new Shamrock on the water... but I think he is barely edged out for having the newest boat by Bob Rodkey who just finished his Shamrock, or possibly Alan Kew's Whirlwind... as they were both completed only days before the event. Ned Lakeman's Yankee had some radio problems but was sorted out and was out sailing. Bruce Walton competed earlier in the EC-12 Region 1 event, and stayed on to sail Alan Kew's Ranger.
Friday, August 22:
Boats were on the water today for practice at the same time as the Star 45's.