J/145s Duel in Long Point Race

(Balboa, CA)- Two J/145s- PALAEMON and AIMANT DE FILLE- had outstanding performances in the prestigious invitational Long Point Race Week, August 26-28, sponsored by Balboa Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club. The three days of racing involve races from Newport Harbor to Long Point on Catalina Island, a race from Long Point around Shiprock and back to Long Point, and a race from Long Point back to Newport Beach.

With winds ranging from 20 kts to almost no wind and very shifty conditions, Rudy Hasl’s experienced 12-person crew on PALAEMON was able to have tremendous starts, adjust to the changing wind conditions, and secure a first place finish in the ORR fleet of 22 boats. The fleet included some of the fastest, best-sailed boats in the Southern California offshore circuit, including a Reichel-Pugh 77, Andrews 68 and 63, a Nelson-Marek 70, and other fast boats. The J/111 CREATIVE finished 4th and AIMANT DE FILLE, skippered by Steve Ernest and his son, Oliver, finished 5th.  

PALAEMON also finished first in PHRF Division B, ahead of 2nd place finisher Staghound, an RP50, and 3rd place finisher AIMANT DE FILLE. Only one point separated 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers, indicating how close the racing was in each division. 

J/Boats also did very well in the overall PHRF standings. With a fleet of 40 boats, the J/125 ARGO IV placed 4th and PALAEMON placed 5th. 

Commented Rudy Hasl, owner of the J/145 PALAEMON, “the 145 is an excellent performance boat in light winds and can respond as well in heavier breezes, enabling it to compete very effectively against some of the larger boats that participated in the race. Kudos to the designers of the J/145 and the other J/Boats!”