2014 Ultimate 20 North Americans, Racine, Wisconsin, USA
The Ultimate 20 class returned to Racine, Wisconsin for the 2014 North American Championship. 22 boats competed for the classes’ top prize. Most teams arrived Thursday to set up and practice out on the lake. The conditions were consistently 7 to 10 knots which generated a short chop which tested the skippers and crews.
Fridays racing kicked off with Jim Ulatowski and team Juiced from Colorado taking the first race. In fact 4 different teams won the first 4 races. Chris Chambers on Black Sheep from Sandpoint, Idaho won the second race, Mark Allen on Junta from Salt Lake City won the third race and 2002 Champion Don Corey and Team Utoo won the fourth race. But the day was about keeping up with the Joneses. BJ and Emily Jones with Tom Lawton on Rumbulion was the most consistent and led the fleet after the first day with a score line of 6,2,2,2. Just 6 points behind was the Wiggins family on Running with Scissors from South Carolina with 16 year old Jordan Wiggins on the helm making it look easy. Black Sheep was third and 2 time champion Tac Boston was fourth overall.
Saturday started with a promise of more wind but it never really filled in. Mark Allen on Junta hit the tune on the aluminum rig and moved up 2 places to third with a score line of 3,1,1,1. Jordan Wiggins on Scissors had another solid day and moved into first with scores of 1,2,3,2.
The Racine Yacht Club put on a great BBQ that evening and Steve Rose’s Goombay Smash machine was flowing. A little fun broke out while the Canadian's challenged the USA to a friendly paddle boat race. Results to be finalized at the next North Americans! Teams gathered on the lawn to play Baggo to test their skills off the water. The band got swinging and all had a great time!
This set up a showdown for the final day on Sunday with the top 3 teams separated by 4 points. Mark Allen came out firing winning the first race of the day, Jordan took a 3rd and the Jones were 5th. In the last race, multiple teams converged at the first windward mark, a pileup ensued and several teams got jostled around. Junta came out in good shape and came home in third behind Tac Boston and Jin Ulatowski. The Wiggins family finished 7th and the Joneses 8th giving Junta the overall title.
With 10 races completed the fleet headed back to the club to pack up and get ready for long journeys home.
Big thanks to Gregg and Amy Henning and all the work they did hosting the regatta. Another big thanks to my crew Peter Sharp and Robert Pincus for putting us in the right spots and the flawless crew work. Also thanks to Doyle Boston Sails for a great suit of sails that kept the boat flying.
Photo Credit: Danielle Dickert
Link to photos:
Submitted by Mark Allen
Results below.
