One hand on the trophy for team Vamos at Victorian J70 States
by Harry Fisher, Down Under Sail 13 Oct 12:17 NZDT
11 -13 October 2024
The fleet gathered together for the start of Day 2 - Victorian J70 State Championship 2024 © Alex Dare, Down Under Sail
After six of the scheduled eight races, Tim Ryan and his team on Vamos are in a strong position and look likely to claim the Victorian J70 State Championship, heading into the final two races at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron.
The second day of racing saw three more races held in shifty but gorgeous conditions on Saturday, with Vamos claiming two of the three race wins, as well as a second.
They had a close battle with David Doherty's Matador, who clinched the race win in Race 5, as well as picking up a second and a fourth.
Doherty said the race track was challenging with a lot of passing lanes and plenty of gains to be made.
"We certainly had our ups and downs today on the water, very shifty, and (we were) either the loser or the winner on all the shifts," he said.
"Lots of snakes and ladders with the upwind beats, but this is one of the most beautiful places to sail, the club is welcoming and it's a great facility they have here."
With a strong contingent of the fleet making the trip down from Sydney, the sailors were thrilled with the venue at Blairgowrie, which Doherty said offered up great racing and fantastic hospitality.
Victorian J70 sailor Ollie Van Der Slot, who is crewing on board Josh Griffith's Mistral, said the racing was highly competitive and it was exciting to be part of such a strong fleet.
"It's just unreal racing, you just don't get that in any other class," he said.
"Especially the big turnout for a State Championships, I think we have 18 boats so it's just unreal to get that turnout at a Victorian States."
The final day is expected to have more of the same weather wise with two more races to close out the event.
For full results, and more information about the event, head to bys.asn.au/2025-j-70-victorian-championships.