A.k.a.- "La Regata de la
Independencia"(Valle de Bravo, Mexico)- The J/24 class in Mexico continues to enjoy vibrant, healthy racing in their three hotspots of activity, namely Valle de Bravo, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. This year's Mexican J/24 Nationals were hosted by the Club Nautico Valle de Bravo, thirty boats showed up to compete for the honor of being crowned the 2013 Mexican National Champion.
Valle de Bravo is a spectacular lake located about an hour's drive
west of Mexico City, high up in the mountains. Surround by large peaks
and long valleys, the mountain winds can be very tricky, especially when it
blows hard. This year the fleet was treated to nearly every imaginable
weather conditions, light winds, rain, sunny days and enormous microbursts wreaking
havoc on the fleet. Saturday's sailing saw little wind, blowing just 4-8
kts with occasional gusts to 10 with rain clouds interspersed with the
breeze. Sunday's was more difficult for the RC, managing to get in only
one race after spending hours on the lake waiting for breeze. Finally, on
Monday the fleet had a great race going, but got blown out by massive gust of
breeze lasting well over ten minutes, forcing cancellation of the races.
In the end, the RC managed to only squeeze in three of the planned eight races.While the racing is always fun and competitive, perhaps the biggest attraction to the regatta is "Mexican Night" on Saturday even. Awesome Mexican home-cooked food, massive fireworks display on the lake, aquatic games, a mechanical bull to challenge your crew with, lots of dancing and a spectacular "Grito de Independencia" keeps the crews extremely entertained all night long-- for some a bit too entertained!
With all the festivities and sailing behind them, it was the GOOD VIBES team that were crowned champions, led by skipper Xavier Murrieta and crewed by Julián Fernández, Bernardo Minkow, Hugo McCarthy and Alejandro Murrieta.
Taking the silver on the podium was MAR II sailed by Miguel Arroyo and his crew Alan Benitez, Tito Benitez, Manuel Benitez and Javier Benitez.
Third was a past Mexican champion Kenneth Porter sailing with a family crew of Kenneth Porter Jr., Gerrit Gentry, Gerrit Gentry Jr. and Daniel Baños on the mighty yacht "S"! Thanks for this contribution from "Rosalia", Mexican J/24 Class secretary. For more J/24 Mexican Nationals sailing information
