Lakewood Yacht Club hosted another successful sailboat race this weekend, the 2016 J/Fest Southwest Regatta. More than 60 boats competed in this 7th annual national event that provides J/boat owners an opportunity to race against avid sailors from all over the U.S.
"While this is a relatively new regatta, it draws competitive J/boat racers from around the country," says 2016 J/Fest Southwest Regatta Chairman Dave Christensen.
The awards ceremony held Sunday, September 30 in the Lakewood Ballroom was well attended. Seabrook Mayor Glen Royal thanked the J/Fest Committee, Lakewood Yacht Club, the sponsors, and all of the racers and volunteers for continuing to make this a great event.
The 7th annual J/Fest Southwest Regatta big winners are as follows: Casey Lambert of Blackburn Marine Racing took first place in the J/22 class; Natalie Harden won the J/24 class, and Chris Lewis took home the win in the J/70 class. Ray Bentele won among the J/PHRF (Sym) racers; Uzi Ozeri took home first among the J/105s, and
J.D. Hill reigned supreme among
the J/PHRF (A-Sym) sailors. To view a complete list of race results, visit
http://www.jfestsouthwest.com.
Christensen along with the entire J/Fest Committee would like to thank the sponsors. "The generosity of the event sponsors are what makes J/Fest Southwest Regatta a success each year."
2016 sponsors were Lakewood Yacht Club, J/Boats Southwest, the City of Seabrook, Bay Access, RejeX.com, Davis Marine Electronics, Yacht Equipment Service Center, True North Marine, North Sails, Hayes Rigging, Sparcraft Performance Engineering, UK Sailmakers, Blackburn Marine, OJ's Marine, Alliant Marine & Energy Insurance, Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters, Inc., Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine, Stix-n-Rig'n, Classic Cafe, Merlion, Marios Flying Pizza, Villa Capri and Iguanas Ranas Cantina and others.