Fifty J/70s reveled in gorgeous Biscayne Bay conditions on Friday as the J/70 Midwinter Championship got underway with three races. Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity laid its claim by knocking off two straight bullets and adding a fourth for only 6 points so far. Following Duncan, Bruce Golison’s Midlife Crisis and Brian Keane’s Savasana are locked in a tie for second and third places at 15 points each. Scott Sellers’ Donkey McFly is atop the Corinthian division. This event, hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, FL, is a qualifier for the 2020 World Championship to be hosted by California Yacht Club (2 Open berths and 1 Corinthian berth). Miami delivered its renowned weather with sunny skies, temperatures in the low 80s and winds between 8-14 knots. The day’s overall top three were the same group leading the way in the Championship’s opening battle: Duncan, Keane and Golison. Trailing Duncan in race two were Kevin Downey’s Mr. Pitiful and John Heaton’s Empeiria. Golison earned the victory in Friday’s final contest, ahead of Heaton and Paul Ward’s Eat Sleep J Repeat. Racing continues through Sunday. Photos are available on the USA J/70 Class Facebook page, and complete results may be found at https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=6070.