Thanks to Erik Brockmann for this report: On May 5, 6 and 7, Mexico held its fifth J/70 National Championship. Time definitely flies as our first Nationals in Valle de Brave in 2013 doesn´t seem that far away. In Mexico, we have done a good job on having the National Championships in different places (Valle de Bravo twice, Acapulco, Cancun and now Vallarta) to promote the Class, although 75% of our fleet is in Valle de Bravo. Puerto Vallarta in May is a perfect choice as you are 99% sure you will get the thermal breeze, having the first start of the day at 13:00 hrs with 10-12 knots building up to 18-20 knots every day! We had 20 boats in the event with teams from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, including a youth team sponsored by the BBB Sailing Program. With three days of racing and 11 races in schedule, day one ended with Zaguero from Ignacio Perez Moret in first tied in points with Vincitore of the Brockmann brothers and former World Champion Julian Fernandez in third place on Flojito y Coperando. On the second day, consistency was the key, and Vincitore with a 2,1,2,1 moved into the lead after eight races. Zaguero, after a 10th place in the lighter first race of the day, recovered with three great races but had now basically used their drop race. A solid day for Yon Belausteguigoitia´s team La Bala put them in fourth place. This team for sure was the team with the most talent onboard including countless international regattas (even Olympic Games) and not to say 217 years of age between the four of them! Eduardo Porter on Goldo, also having consistent results, was in fifth place. The final day had three races on schedule. Vincitore had to be careful with Zaguero and Flojito y Coperando, who needed a perfect day to have a chance for the win. The first race saw Vincitore in fourth with Zaguero third, Flojito second and La Bala in first, showing their experience would compact the points between the teams. Vincitore went on to win the next two races as the wind increased, and definitely enjoying the event and conditions to win the National Championship with Ricky Brockmann at the helm, Erik Brockmann calling tactics, Jeronimo Mariscal as trimmer and Diego Velasco in the pit. Second place went to Ignacio Perez Moret and team who also won first Corinthian. Julian Fernandez ended in third place with Flojito y Coperando. Here are the links for results and pictures:
http://www.vallartayachtclub.org/race/j70nacional2017.htm
http://jldigitalmedia.zenfolio.com/f24855491