Table of Contents:
Regatta Recap
J/70 US National Championship Regatta 2024
We were honored to host the inaugural J/70 US National Championship Regatta at Fort Worth Boat Club! This unforgettable event was brought to life by the remarkable efforts of over 20 dedicated volunteers who kindly gave four days of their time, our generous sponsors, visiting judges, skilled PRO, and the unwavering support of FWBC members. Special thanks go to the FWBC member hosts who graciously accommodated our VIP judges and hardworking staff. Together, we proudly exemplified the warmth and spirit of true Texas hospitality.
Teams from across the U.S. and Mexico began arriving at Eagle Mountain Lake up to a week before the championship to practice and prepare. Racing officially kicked off on Friday, November 8th, with 18 teams battling through challenging conditions. Overcast skies and unpredictable breezes of 10-15 knots, with stronger gusts, tested the sailors’ skills and determination. Under the expert guidance of Principal Race Officer Mark Foster, the diverse fleet included eight Corinthian teams, one Mixed-Plus team, five One-Pro teams, and four Pro teams.
Friday saw three competitive races completed, but the weather had other plans for the weekend, with racing canceled on Saturday and Sunday due to lack of wind. Despite the postponements, competitors made the most of their downtime by reviewing drone footage from Hannah Lee Noll, engaging in self-coaching, and attending a "chalk talk" session led by three of the world’s top J/70 professionals—Willem Van Waay, Steve Hunt, and Zeke Horowitz.
The regatta was as much about camaraderie as it was about competition. On Wednesday, teams were welcomed with a rum tasting at Commodore Smith’s cabana patio, hosted by Linda & Paul Bregenzer, Martha & Craig White, and Christie & Craig Johnson. Attendees enjoyed delicious homemade food, rum cake, and a full vertical tasting of Mount Gay rum, complemented by over 30 premium rums generously donated by members.
Thursday evening’s Opening Ceremony featured a delicious spread of passed appetizers and charcuterie boards, courtesy of LiquidPulse Cooling and Dan Merkel and GM Greg Radomski. On Saturday night, the Celebration Dinner, sponsored by Michael Winfrey’s American National Bank and Trust, delighted attendees with award-winning smoked meats, vegetables, and desserts from two BBQ trailers. No one left hungry, and the festive atmosphere added to the regatta’s charm.
Throughout the event, competitors enjoyed free beer and live music, generously sponsored by Whitely Penn, John Van Zanten, BB Logistics, and Bobby Brendza. Sotheby’s Briggs Freeman, Bip & Bernie Nauta provided lip balm to keep the sailors protected on the water. A special thanks to Creighton Maynard for his personal contribution, which provided timely support and helped ensure everything ran smoothly.
Demonstrating their commitment to the sport of sailing, the J/70 Class also highlighted The Starboard Foundation during their time here, contributing a generous $600 donation. This gift supports our mission to ignite passion and foster a deeper appreciation for sailing, further strengthening the bond within the sailing community.
Although weather limited the number of races, sailors unanimously agreed that “three races make a regatta.” Many expressed their eagerness to return to Fort Worth Boat Club for future events, a testament to the incredible combination of thrilling competition and unparalleled hospitality. This championship will be remembered as a shining moment in FWBC’s history!
The spirit of volunteerism carried on the following weekend with the Jr. Ol' Man of the Sea Regatta, a regatta dedicated to our youth sailors. As a USODA qualifier, it drew an impressive 132 entries to our shores, just as the J/70s departed. These events and how our community comes together to make them possible fill me with pride as a member. I hope they inspire the same pride in you.
@hannahleenoll Photo Gallery: Explore the J/70 Nationals 2024 Collection
A heartfelt thank you to David Taylor and Maverick for making the photo boat a reality.
Results: View the Full Event Results
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Additional Thanks:
Regatta Logo / Poster: Designed by Daniel Keating
Regatta Webpage, Specialty Logos, and Engraving: Creatively crafted by Christine Barbour
Lastly, thank you to the entire harbor staff for their extraordinary efforts. Tackling the complex challenges posed by lowering lake levels is no easy task, yet our dedicated team consistently exceeds expectations to keep our docks fully operational. Their efforts—installing foot ramps, building stairs, welding supports, reconnecting water systems, resolving electrical issues, and seamlessly relocating boats and boathouses—allow us to enjoy a hassle-free experience. Though their work often goes unnoticed, it is deeply appreciated.
submitted by: Robin Mitchell
Jr. Ol' Man of the Sea and USODA Mid-Americas Championships
This year’s Jr. ‘Ol Man of the Sea Regatta was a huge success! In part, by the hard work of our 55 volunteers stepping up again this year to handle 132 boats and 150 sailors. THANK YOU. Without our volunteers, this event could not carry forward. Another huge THANK YOU to our PRO’s: Bryan Dyer, Jim Mitchel, and Peggy Dietz! Your wealth of knowledge makes each year a breeze.
The presence and support of this year’s sponsors were instrumental in making the awards ceremony a memorable experience for the participants. Please patronize them during the upcoming holiday season: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Slovacek’s, McAlisters Deli, American National Bank and Trust, Higginbotham Insurance, Team McLube, Zim, Tow Boat US, Vela, Style Newport, Weather Mark Creations, The Saxton Group, West Marine, Rockwell, REI Co-op, Whitley Penn and Coral Reef Apparel.
Nettie and I appreciate all the love and support from Fort Worth Boat Club to enable us to share our enthusiasm for sailing and allowing us to provide a venue for the future of sailing, the Junior Sailors. Looking forward to what the future holds.
submitted by: Michael Younger
The Race of Champions @ FWBC
The Race of Champions on November 23rd was an exciting sailing race with J22s, showcasing the best racers at Fort Worth Boat Club. Eligibility for the race was by invitation from the Race Committee, selecting top performers such as the 2023 Race of Champions winner, fleet champions from various 2024 series, and other standout members from FWBC events.
Big congrats to Bryan Dyer, Jim Mitchell, and William Toothe for winning and becoming the 2024 FWBC Champions! Their amazing performance earned them the title and an invitation to defend again next year!
Junior Race Team Finishing the Season Strong!
This past season, the junior race team members participated in an impressive 12 regattas, showcasing their dedication and passion for sailing. The season kicked off early in February with an ILCA and USODA regatta at the prestigious St. Petersburg Yacht Club, setting a competitive tone for the months ahead. As March arrived, the team embarked on the Texas Sailing Association (TSA) season, which featured an 11-regatta circuit that took them to various challenging courses and conditions across the region.
The grand finale of the season was held at our home club with the esteemed Jr. Ol Man of the Seas regatta, providing a fitting conclusion to an eventful year. Throughout the season, our sailors made significant progress, with some advancing to more competitive fleets, others transitioning to larger boats, and all of them consistently pushing their limits to become faster, better, and stronger. Their remarkable growth and achievements this season are a testament to their hard work and the invaluable support of their coaches and families.
Club Racing
The Blue Moon series ends on the 8th of December! The end-of-season awards for the Blue Moon 2023 through PAKI 2024 will be held on Sunday the 8th following the final race of the Blue Moon series. It has been a great season of racing at FWBC and we look forward to celebrating all of our sailors' achievements from throughout the year.
Sunday PHRF Racing Series
Blue Moon Series dates and PRO
December
1st - Ben Robbins
8th - Martin Peacey
See the Club Racing Page for registration and NOR.
Club Racing will resume on January 5th with the infamous Marigail Series!
Upcoming PRO duties are as follows:
January 5 - Martin Peacey
January 12 - Mike Schwinn
January 19 - Ben Robbins
January 26 - Jonathan Witt
February 2 - Conner Fullerton
February 9 - Craig Johnson
PRO Duty
If you would be interested in managing weekend races in 2025 as a PRO, please contact the Race Committee on racing@fwbc.com
To learn more about sailing at Fort Worth Boat Club or to submit content for the monthly sailing blog, contact our staff:
Val Herrscher - Camp Director/ Lead Coach - Coach@fwbc.com