Reigning J/70 World Champion Julian Fernandez Neckelmann didn’t have to shake off any rust after the opening day of the Torqeedo J/70 North American Championship was postponed yesterday due to storms. The Flojito y Cooperando team from Mexico totaled 16 points after four races were completed Friday at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. In winds between 6-8 knots, Neckelmann nailed two bullets and added in a 3 and 11 to build an eight-point advantage over Bruce Golison’s Midlife Crisis. Bruno Pasquinelli’s Stampede holds third place with 27 points. Flojito y Cooperando began the Championship with their first victory, ahead of Golison and Jack Franco’s 3 Ball JT. Those same three teams swapped places in the next contest to: Golison, Franco, Neckelmann. It was Flojito’s turn back at the top in race three, trailed by Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity and current J/70 Midwinter Champion Glenn Darden’s Hoss. Darden and Will Welles’ Scamp then followed Phil Haegler’s Cloud Nine to the dock to begin the evening festivities. Thirty-nine teams are competing through Sunday from Brazil, Japan, Mexico and the USA. Photos are available on the J/70 Class Facebook page, and complete results may be found at www.j70nac.com.