LE TIGRE Roars to J/80 North American Championship!
(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent.
Day One- Thursday
The results from day one showed a wide variance among entrants, led by James Buley of San Diego, CA, on LE TIGRE, who posted scores of 1-2 for an early advantage of 3 points. The breeze started quite promising on Lake Pontchartrain, with winds in the mid-teens. Buley’s LE TIGRE took the bullet, ahead of Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, and John Van Landeghem’s FUJIMO.
Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD, landed second-place on the day after another podium finish in race two (5 points overall). The wind backed off in that contest, but sailors had to endure the lingering chop. Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, earned that race win, with Buley and Wittig rounding out the top group. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER holds third overall with 6 points.
Day Two- Friday
It was a gorgeous day on the water. Four races were completed, and although the discard came into effect, the top of the leaderboard remained unchanged with James Buley’s LE TIGRE in the lead.
The day began with a strong ENE wind of about 15 knots, when Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, Balich’s OVERACHIEVER, and Mark Backus’ COOL J led the 21-boat fleet across the line. For Friday’s next race, the breeze moderated slightly but was still around 10-12 knots with plenty of Lake Pontchartrain chop. Racers battled through close mark roundings, and it was Buley’s LE TIGRE who mastered the conditions, along with Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH and DJ Bolyard’s FUJIMO. Race 6 saw a little less chop and a steady wind around 12-15 knots still from the ENE. Buley’s LE TIGRE earned their second consecutive bullet, as Wittig was again runner-up, plus Chris Wientjes’ NEAUX NAME in third. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER closed the day victoriously, while Buley’s LE TIGRE flipped to second, and John Haverstock’s ROGUES ROOST third.
Day Three- Saturday
Daniel Wittig’s Turbo Sloth made a statement on day three of the J/80 North American Championship with two victories in two races. Sunshine and a steady 10-12 knots of breeze out of the ENE greeted the 21 teams Saturday at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, LA. Wittig, of Annapolis, MD, spent the initial two days in the runner-up position to James Buley’s LE TIGRE, but with eight races now in the books, it’s Wittig’s turn to top the leaderboard. Racing will conclude Sunday, as Wittig holds a three-point advantage over Buley (12 points to 15). Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER maintained their bronze position, now with 20 points.
Following Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH in Saturday’s opening match were Mark Backus’ COOL J and Balich’s OVERACHIEVER. And in race eight, Wittig secured the regatta lead with a win over John Haverstock’s ROGUES ROOST and Buley’s LE TIGRE.
Day Four- Sunday
The regatta came to a nail-biting conclusion on Sunday. With the final two races on the docket, the Championship became a battle between Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD, and James Buley’s LE TIGRE of San Diego, CA. Wittig had a three-point advantage after eight races.
Early conditions saw 10 knots of ENE breeze and less chop than previous days, as Jason Balich’s OVERACHIVER won race nine of the Championship, and Buley’s LE TIGRE was second. The breeze eased down to 7 knots, but AP was displayed during the Race 10 starting sequence due to a big left shift at the bottom of the course. Race Committee adjusted, and following a general recall, the 21-boat fleet took off for the final showdown. Buley’s LE TIGRE secured the bullet, clawing their way to the title on a tiebreaker at 18 points, as Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH placed second in the last race and overall. The crew of LE TIGRE included Eric Doyle, Jackson Benvenutti, and Bill Hardesty. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, was in the hunt all week and finished third at 24 points.
Top Five:
1. LE TIGRE- James Buley- 1-2-5-1-1-2-[10]-3-2-1- 18 pts
2. TURBO SLOT- Daniel Wittig- 2-3-1-2-2-4-1-1-[5]-2- 18 pts
3. OVERACHIEVER- Jason Balich- [5]-1-2-4-4-1-3-5-1-3- 24 pts
4. FUJIMO- DJ Bolyard- 3-4-4-3-6-[15]-4-6-4-5- 39 pts
5. ROGUES ROOST- John Haverstock- 4-6-[14]-5-8-3-5-2-6-6- 45 pts
For J/80 North American Championship results
https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/29407
Photos on J/80 North American Class Association Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581408401885