Sydney Harbour’s growing J/70 fleet competed in the Lowell North Memorial Regatta held over four evenings at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron last week.

Tim Ryan of Vamos writes, ‘This event was an excellent opportunity for the J/70s to tune up for the forthcoming NSW Championships.  The Race Committee did a great job in a tricky week, managing to get 14 of the possible 16 races underway and finished. Conditions were mainly light, with the breeze below 10 knots each evening.

Maybe-J (Michael Nash) and Vamos (Tim Ryan)

Most of the boats had Covid issues affecting the crew, and ultimately, eight boats faced the starter.  Going into the last day, just two points separated three boats – Vamos held a slender lead over Celestial and Juno.

Celestial (David Chapman, Chris Way, Lewis Brake, Locky Pryor)

The regatta was finally taken out by Sam Haynes’ Celestial, skippered by David Chapman, who had enlisted Chris Way and Martin Hill to steer an evening each, with Locky Pryor and Lewis Brake crewing. Celestial won six races for a two point win over Tim Ryan’s Vamos, reversing the order of last year’s National Championship. Third place went to defending champion Juno, steered by Reg Lord.

Squadron boat Maybe J, skippered by Michael Nash, finished strongly for 4th, winning a race on the third night. Two other squadron boats, Swish and The Jackal finished 5th and 6th respectively.

Vamos (Tim Ryan, Rob Greenhalgh, Jess Grimes & Charlie Gundy)

David Chapman commented, ‘It was fantastic to have eight boats out racing. The young Race Management team did a great job, and hopefully we can use them again.  Following a very difficult Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race for Team Celestial, it was great  to get that first win under our belts. I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Sam Haynes for giving us the boat to use, and giving Chris and Martin the chance to try the boat. Sam really loves the sport, and I’m very fortunate to race with him. Lewis and Locky were fantastic as always. It was competitive, close racing – after two days, we had a three-way tie for first.'

Reg Lord heads to the upcoming NSW Championship at the Squadron in good form as the defending champion, but Celestial would be favourite after last week’s win.