By: Meghan O’Rourke
The J88 North American Championship took place this past weekend at the Macatawa Bay
Yacht Club in Holland, Michigan. With 11 highly competitive boats on the line, the stage was set
for an intense showdown. Heading into the regatta, Team Banter, led by owner Ben Marden,
reflected on the strength of the fleet. “We felt like it was anybody’s regatta, and that we’d be
fortunate to make the podium with such a deep fleet of well-sailed boats and accomplished
competitors,” Marden noted. “Our plan was to have fun, stay consistent, focus on good
communication, and not let emotions get too high or too low.”
The event officially kicked off on Thursday, September 26th, but Mother Nature had other plans.
A lack of breeze kept sailors ashore, and by 12:30 EST, the Race Committee hoisted AP over A,
signaling the abandonment of racing for the day. While competitors were eager to get on the
water, the postponement added to the anticipation of what would unfold in the coming days.
After Thursday’s racing was abandoned, the Race Committee was determined to make up for
lost time on Friday, setting an ambitious goal of completing four races to stay on schedule. The
forecast promised plenty of action, with breeze expected to build from 15 to 20 knots throughout
the day, offering perfect conditions for exciting, high-stakes racing.
Lindsey Duda’s team, Sin Duda, thrived in these challenging conditions. With flawless boat
handling, sharp tactics, and seamless teamwork, they dominated the day with three first-place
finishes. Their consistency in navigating the shifty, offshore winds earned them a commanding
lead in the standings. By day’s end, Sin Duda had opened up a five-point cushion over Banter,
who sat in second place, while Erica maintained a solid grip on third.
Saturday’s forecast called for a left shift and a dying breeze throughout the day, creating
challenging conditions for the fleet. Despite the tricky weather, the Race Committee managed to
get two races off early, taking advantage of the breeze before it began to fade closer to shore.
As the wind softened and became increasingly unstable, the fleet found itself in a convergent
zone where shifts and lulls made tactical decisions critical. Recognizing the need for steadier
conditions, the Race Committee made the smart decision to move the course further offshore in
an effort to squeeze in another race before the day’s end.
Piranha capitalized on these tough conditions, winning the day with strong performances, but
Lindsey Duda’s Sin Duda remained steady, maintaining their overall lead. Reflecting on the day,
David Dennison, owner of Piranha, remarked, “Friday we thought we sailed well but we kept
coming up middle of the fleet. Saturday, we went back to basics with confidence in our boat
speed and counting on everyone to do their job. We tried to stick to our prestart plan regarding
boat setup and tune and side of the course and focused on getting to pressure. The team did a
great job keeping their eyes open for the next breeze and directing us to it.” After three tricky
races, Friday’s leaders—Sin Duda, Banter, and Erica—continued to hold the top spots on the
leaderboard heading into Sunday’s final races.
On the final day of racing, the Race Committee sent out a morning notice with the intent to run
three races, hoping to make the most of the day despite a challenging forecast. The breeze was
predicted to shift left and gradually fade as the day progressed, making it clear that conditions
would be tricky.
With this in mind, the RC was determined to push through and get all three races completed.
The first race of the day went off cleanly. By the second race, the breeze started to fade. RC
started the third race but as the fleet rounded the top mark the wind began to die. By the time
competitors rounded the bottom mark, the wind shifted 90-degree and RC was forced to
abandon the third race despite their best efforts.
It was a frustrating end for many, but the RC’s quick decision-making ensured fair competition,
and the competitors appreciated the commitment to giving them as much racing as possible in
challenging conditions.
Sin Duda claimed victory at the J/88 North American Championship, taking home the overall
title, while Piranha earned the Corinthian honors after an intense weekend of racing. With tight
competition and tricky conditions, the fleet faced some of the most challenging racing seen in
recent years. Reflecting on the event, Lindsey Duda, Owner of Sin Duda, remarked “We
anticipated that this event was going to be a battle the entire way through, and it absolutely was.
The fleet is very competitive, so we set up the team to make sure we had the right personalities
to weather the storm. The conditions during the event were extremely tricky, so not only were
we battling the other teams but we had to overcome the shifty and breeze conditions too. I’m
just thankful that we had such a strong team put together, we were able to handle everything
and maintain our focus and composure.”
The success of the regatta would not have been possible without the exceptional leadership of
PRO Leif Sigmond, whose precise race management kept the event running smoothly. The
Race Committee and volunteers from Macatawa Bay Yacht Club were equally vital, providing
seamless support both on and off the water. Their dedication and hospitality made this
championship weekend not only a great test of skill but a memorable experience for everyone
involved.
A huge thanks to Macatawa Bay Yacht Club for hosting such a fantastic event. It was a
weekend to remember, filled with tough competition, camaraderie, and a shared passion for
sailing.
Additional Links:
J88 North American Pictures
J88 Drone Link
Yacht Scoring