The J-105 Action Up Close & Personal…
By Eden Kim

Alchemy — Tom Struttman, Walter Sanford, Taylor Stein, Brian McInerney

The Douses

Frisky — J.T. and Tracy Hansen, Lesa Kinney, Paul Backus, Rob Hutchinson, Rick Williams
The race really gets off at 1:05 pm. Alchemy has problems and a very late set. The other six boats round in a close group and Natural Blonde edges out in front. First 360 assigned to Natural Blonde. Tiburon takes over the lead and legs out... Second 360 to Tiburon. Walloping Swede smells the front, but you guessed it: 360 assigned. Good Timin’ goes inside and gets a favorable shift —fourth 360 to Good Timin’. Frisky now leads Natural Blonde, Good Timin’ and Tiburon beating to the top mark. Ta-da!—360 to Frisky—expecting her to gibe, instead Frisky tacks from a leeward position and skims under the bow of Natural Blonde. 

The boats round in a cluster, Natural Blonde just ahead of Good Timin' with Joyride in sixth.  Alchemy somewhere down the course. Jury allows Alchemy to bear away and set (without going to the mark) once the lead boat passes her stern. As a result, Alchemy squeezes into first.  With 100 yards left and all boats on port pointing at the line, Alchemy is assessed a 360. Halfway through, on starboard, she takes out Joyride (because she can) and pins her out on starboard as they both head off to Richmond while the rest of the fleet presses to the line in a close group. 

At a photo finish, Good Timin' was first across the line followed by Nirvana.  Joyride regains her position on Alchemy and the rest within 30 seconds of each other.  Based on a secret formula, Nirvana (given a  non-spinnaker rating and a time allowance for youngest crew) wins the trophy on corrected time.

Good Timin’ — Phil Perkins, Justin Oberbauer, Rann Phibbs, Mori-Ellen Strom

Nirvana — Raja & Rebecca Singh, Sean Torsney, Dave Ligget
Tiburon — Steve Stroube, Tom Simms, Jeff Thorpe On The Protector

Natural Blonde — Rob Cooper, Lauren Cooper, Ian Charles, Matt Frymer

After Rounding the Leeward Mark

Joyride — Bill and Susan Hoehler, Jennifer Marks, Anne Broel, Pat Lopez