Thanks to Marlene Plumley for this report: The 2025–2026 J/70 Winter Series concluded February 6-8 at Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL, marking the third and final event of the popular winter racing series. Teams from across the region gathered on Hillsborough Bay for a weekend that delivered a full range of conditions, testing both heavy-air handling and light-air precision. After a postponement on Saturday morning, racing got underway with four races completed in building breeze. Afternoon conditions saw winds reaching 18 knots, producing fast, physical racing and tight mark roundings across the fleet. Sunday’s racing provided a contrast, with lighter air allowing the race committee to complete one final race to close out both the regatta and the Winter Series. Series Principal Race Officer Chip Till commented, “Davis Island Yacht Club once again rolled out the red carpet for the J/70 fleet. The Friday Sail22/North Sails Porch Series was a great way to prep the fleet for Saturday’s racing conditions. After a delay Saturday morning, Hillsborough Bay delivered epic sailing conditions with winds hitting 18 knots in the afternoon. Sunday proved to be a little lighter, but the RC Team was able to complete a very nice light air race to complete the regatta and the Winter Series. We look forward to seeing everyone for the next Winter Series.”
Winter Series #3 – Event Results
Cumulative Overall – Top 10
Savasana — Brian Keane
Norboy — Laura Sigmond
Lil Bit — Doug Fritz
Beatmachine (Corinthian) — Roy & Marina Lamphier
Wicked — Arthur Edwards
7th Heaven — Kelly Hansen
Carlos — Michael Sudofsky
FRAM — Glen Foster
American Flyer (Corinthian) — Steve Knoop
T2 — Hanson Bratton
Corinthian Division – Top Five
Beatmachine – Roy & Marina Lamphier
American Flyer – Steve Knoop
Hot Ticket – Mike Kirkman
Ayacucho-Jim Gary
FM – Tod Sacket
Mixed-Plus Division
FRAM – Glen Foster
One-Pro Division – Top Five
FRAM – Glen Foster
T2 – Hanson Bratton
R.Y.L.A.H. – John Mason
Reset – Peter Barrett
Chinook – Frank McNamara
2025–2026 Winter Series Overall Champions
With consistent performance across all three events, the Winter Series Overall standings concluded with:
Savasana – Brian Keane – Overall
Ayacucho – Jim Gary (Corinthian)
T2 — Hanson Bratton (One-Pro)
The J/70 Winter Series continues to serve as one of the premier winter training and racing programs in the country, combining competitive one-design racing with the welcoming atmosphere Davis Island Yacht Club is known for. Thank you to the race committee, volunteers and competitors who made the 2025–2026 Winter Series another successful season on Hillsborough Bay. For event details, visit 2025/2026 DIYC J/70 Winter Series 3 – YachtScoring.com.