Welcome to the new JJ website and Blog
BK will post his Pick the Podium News Update report for each race the following morning of each of the 8 races of the JJ. The Pick the Podium winner of each race will be acknowledged and if anyone can pick a correct Podium for this years JJ then they will be awarded super Legend Status, because it's about to get tougher with such a competitive fleet this year.
So for all the news, tips, scuttlebutt, anything that we thick you should know to factor into your picks, then follow this Blog page during the JJ............ News starts from here >
News Update - 25th March 1118 hrs. Sydney Time
Racing was wrapped up at the League yesterday and the last winner for the P t P comp for the season was Steve Bray who came out of the hat to take the last set of www.barzoptics.com Floater sunnies. Steve had to beat 9 other entries who could only get one right.......it's been a tough comp this season and even tougher at the end, as the crew lists changes make your picks even tougher....BUT thanks to Kevin Barr our supplier of barzoptics.com cool Floaters we are able to reward your skill and luck each week. so a big thanks to Kevin and Natasha who makes sure they arrive safely to all the winners.
If you watch the video coverage from Sunday (what a Sydney weather package!) you will see the 18 footer racing history book adding a new page to its long history...... 3 Generations of Barnabasssses or "Barnabi" racing aboard Thurlow Fisher Lawyers. Trevor, Trent and Trent's colts Zac and Jake have ownership of that special achievement.
Thanks again, everyone for competing this season......next season starts now for us. We urgently need to get the Archive straitened out to make it user friendly. That's 1st on the list.
I will send out a news update email to you with more detail of what we wish to achieve with the video coverage and P t P next season to make it more interesting to you lot.....emailing soon
News Update - 19th March 1240 hrs. Sydney Time
Last Sunday's race was blown away as forecast so no Pick the Podium understandably...
This Sunday, is the last race of the season and is a Scratch race for the Club Championship so it's your last chance to crack a Podium this season.
The forecast > www.seabreeze.com.au suggests it wont be blown away at least sooooo! my suggestion is to just go with your 3 favourite teams and see how you go. The Barzoptics Floaters will go off to someone as usual but it would be great to get the appliancesonline Bar Fridge away as well.....
News Update - 13th March 0801 hrs. Sydney Time
Appologies for being late with the news folks.... James Williams got a stand alone full podium last Sunday and would have got the www.aplliancesonline.com.au bar Fridge had he put Pure Blonde in 3rd place. James' entry had Gotta Luv it, Pure Blonde and Smeg in 3rd...... Interestingly, Pure Blonde and Thurlow (who most of you picked) were toe to toe around the Beashel Buoy the last time and the Blonde boys managed to keep Cocko's boys out of the podium on the run home.
So, it's been the story all season from the very first race (which Pure Blonde won and set their season up) that the standard of the competition this season has risen, big time, and which has made it difficult to pick the podium as a result. But when the going gets tough...... dig deeper into your form gut and lean on your luck and favourite fancies.
Only 2 races left of the 2012/13 season. This Sunday is the Queen of the Harbour 3 Buoy Handicap race and the weather forecast > www.seabreeze.com.au has a fresh Southerly lined up for the "Queens". So, not sure what will happen if the forecast is accurate. But, I will adjust the handicaps posted below herein by tomorrow and give you more info relative to the weather forecast, whether they will put the "Queens" out if it's going to blow. So, if you intend having a crack at the podium on Sunday wait until I can update the important mail.
News Update - 10th March 0755 hrs. Sydney Time
The late mail for you OS players is that the Sydney weather for today is full sunshine all day and a NE direction to 15 knts by mid afternoon. AND today is a SCRATCH RACE so don't worry about the boats' handicaps. Now, we could see a split in rig selection depending on when the breeze fills in to, so it is another tough one to put a full podium together. Seve's back on Gotta Luv it 7 so they should podium, Cocko's got a different crew with him but should be fine for the podium.....BUT the 3rd pick is the problem maybe AOL , Rag, Smeg, Pure Blonde always the same problem this season. Just have a crack and good luck today. BK
News Update - 4th March 1149 hrs. Sydney Time
That was a tough one to pick folks....so tough we had 9 entries with one pick correct go into the hat and out popped Doug Cameron who has this weeks Bragging Rights (for what they're worth with one correct) but wins a pair of cool www.barzoptics.com Floater Sunnies for his luck in the draw.....nice one Doug.
Also, my hunch that Nathan O was set to drive 7 was rubbish, even though it was a secret up until Sunday ??? how would have thought IAIN MURRAY would drive.....plus all the other crew changes and helming subs. Picking a full Podium from that mess was way impossible hence we had 9 entries with 1 correct which is good enough to win a set of Barz Floaters, and thanks again to Kevin Barr for his great support of this competition.
Anyway, check out the full video coverage of the race..... Heeley is in the UK and I had a sub in as well ....BUCKO! Andrew Buckland was pretty easy on Iain M during his commentary, even when he went for the "total experiance" with a dunk before the finish line.....but with Iain fully on wire uphill, they were FAST with grunt to burn.....a great effort by the "Big Fella". Dan Phillips steered Smeg very capably to get fastest time and went around the longest white mark a few times. Trevor on TFL hit the tide on the first beat and at the finish near the Big Fella.....all in all it was a hoot of a race with all that going on. Dorro's regular boys in the Mojo Wine were good enough to get the better of another sub helm, "STRAY" on De'Longhi Rabbitohs, showing he's lost none of his skill's other than a bit of lung puff....funny that. Smeg finished 3rd to make the Podium yeaterday. My Podium effort on the water was Mojo, Yandoo, De'Longhi but Woody let the opo go to the corners on the last beat and got stranded a bit in the middle.
Next Sunday is back to a Scratch race for the 5th Heat of the NSW Champs, so revert to your scratch race format for selections. I will update you with any helm subs by Friday as they become known. BK
Important News Update - Handicaps for Sunday's 3 Buoy Handicap Race
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers Scratch
Yandoo 7 mins.
Asko Appliances 7 mins.
De'Longhi Rabbitohs 10 mins.
Appliances on Line 4 mins.
Coopers Rag & Famish Hotel 3 mins.
Gotta Luv it 7 4 mins.
Smeg 1 mins.
Pure Blonde 5 mins.
Fisher & Paykel 10 mins.
Mojo Wine 7 mins.
Rabbitohs Kenwood 7 mins.
The Kitchen Maker 6 mins.
Team Daly 9 mins.
Southern Engineering Services 10 mins.
Haier Appliances 10 mins.
Lomax Financial Group 10 mins.
Southern Cross 10 mins.
Latest Mail > Cocko has a replacement steerer, Seve Jarvin has been replaced by a mystery man....there's a fair chance it will be Nathan O of the Artemis AC team, so 7 on 4mins. should walk it in ??
News Update - JJ Major Prize Draw has happened (finally) ..... pipes & drums please
Michael Tozer won the SLAM Force 1 Jacket
Graeme Tumber UK won the Sailing Bits Velocitek Speed Puck
AND Paul Johnson won the Appliances on Line Samsung Flat Screen TV
Thanks everyone who entered this comp and especially our prize donors whom you are very aware of which made it a tad more interesting when something valuable and cool is on the table......cheers
Now, our usual comp for the cool Barz Optics Floaters and the handy Appliances on Line Bar Fridge AND the Bragging Rights continues this Sunday. Sunday's race is a 3 Buoy Handicap Race and I hope to paste the handicaps on this blog by tomorrow IF I can access them from the League before then??......in any event just enter you usual favs and have a crack.
I will try to get the the handicaps and have the entry choice list returned to the Sydney Fleet list asap...BK
Scott Babbage to draw the Samsung TV and the Speed Puck and the SLAM Force 1 Jacket
I will post the results here later today....good luck to the 7 JJ winners
Also, we will be doing our usual video coverage of the last 4 races of the season. This Sunday IMPORTANTLY is a 3 Buoy Handicap Race and I will post the Handicaps asap when I can get my hands on them... Sooooo wait for that info before you enter your picks for this Sunday's race.
Back again with more today....BK
News Update - 25th Feb. 0853 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
What a race! What a way to wrap up the JJ for 2013 ...... What a performance by Seve, The Babbanator and Big Pete. That makes it 4 in a row for Gotta Luv it 7. The Rag and Thurlow crews threw everything at the race and made it a great Skiff handling spectacle on a take no prisoners race track. Smeg, C-Tech and Yandoo blazed away on the spinnaker runs. Only 2 crews managed to stay upright yesterday......check it out on the long video.
Congratulations go to Michael Tozer our stand alone P t P winner in yesterday's Heat 7. Michael had Rag, Gotta Luv it 7, and C-Tech and wins the cool www.barzoptics.com Floater Sunnies but just missed the Bar Fridge. Michael also goes into the draw for the Major JJ Prizes with our 6 others winners.
Now, my plan was to do the draw in the park yesterday but I got drenched on the Camera Cat yesterday and all my paperwork melted, and there was plenty going on with Simon's Camera so my plan is to now get Big Peter Harris to do our draw probably on Wedneday in the Appliances on Line head office and do a You Tube Clip for you all to see probably by Thursday, hopefully.....
I will send an email off to everyone with that Video Clip attached once sorted....I hope you all had fun playing in this Jj Comp. It was a tough game with only 2 full Podiums picked. Graeme Tumber got one with 3rd in the hole and is awarded Grand Legend JJ Status and Michael Tozer receives a Legend JJ award for his entry in yesterday's Heat 7.
Now it's all about the JJ Major Prize later this week when I arrange it with Simon and Peter Harris.....will be in touch, BK
News Update - 24th Feb. 0949 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Yesterday's heat 6 was abandoned altogether due to un sailable conditions.....so no P t P winner for Heat 6. But, one of you will join the other 6 winners in the Major Prize Draw after the race today..... Unless, unless this weather pattern stuffs it up.
I think Thurlow Fisher Lawyers will win this one if they get it away, but everyone, the way it looks right now will probably capsize at least once..... whoever stays upright will win the race today. As far as who out of Seve's 7 boys and the Rag's boys will take this years 2013, JJ Title. Whoever wins it today between 7 and Rag, will have definitely earnt it that's for sure.
Good Luck today
News Update - 23rd Feb. 0907 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Oh Boy!....the forecast is bang on. For you overseas players, I'm in Darling Point overlooking Double Bay sort of sheltered from the ESE but getting strong gusts probably around 30 knts. with the rain squalls, but there is big drops in pressure that you get with a Low in the Tasman...it's a bit like a mini cyclone.
Gary Linacre, PRO for the JJ thinks / hopes it will back off towards the end of the day and is looking at getting Heat 6 away at 1700 hrs. It's going to be one of those days but it will all depend on what this East Coast Low dictates. I've got a feeling if it hangs around 25 - 30 they will do it but if goes 30+ then that's too dangerous....wait and see?
If it goes ahead it will be epic in all respects .... Big Tuesday last year will look like a picnic by comparison. Lots more entries for this one. Keeping the sheets dry, will be a challenge on the Camera Cat......hope it goes ahead folks
News Update - 22nd Feb. 1407 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Yet again, no one was able to put a full Podium together in Heat 5 yesterday. We had 7 with two correct go into the hat and out popped Paul Johnson.... all those in the hat had Rag and Smeg. No body gave Woody's guys on the Yandoo a chance at the Podium yesterday, but he put the big rig in and rock solid for 3rd. coming from the chasing pack he blew off the boats on small rigs......there you go and with the fresh forecasts for the last 2 races Yandoo will be solid / safe with the small rig. Paul Johnson now joins the past winners in the Major Prize Draw on Sunday after the last race of the JJ ........I will do the draw on video for the finale to the JJ gig.
Now it gets interesting doesn't it folks....with just two chances to get into the draw come Sunday for a shot at the Samsung TV, the Velocitek Speed Puck and the SLAM Force 1 Jacket.....this is what you've been working for this season.....it's now serious for you lot and given the on course drama you have witnessed the gloves now come off for this JJ Title between Rag and 7 and dont discount Thurlow yet.....the weather forecast and actuals on race day will be a major decider.....
Here's Stephen Spielbergs script for his blockbuster movie losely titled "HORN the Life Of and her Role in the JJ" based around the human drama associated withthe last two JJ Heats....Horn will be playing herself in this epic movie.....Nicole wanted the role but Keith wouldn't let her.
Script outline....Cocko is the underdog and crowd favourite going in to pull off a miracle....the movie starts with a close up of Cocko's girl Peggy crying and trying to console Cocko...this will help set the mood for this epic comeback and Peggy will start working in Hollywood and join her sister. Saturday 23rd, Race day, and the wind is howling through the park. The tension is buiding in the rigging park. Lawrie Lawrence is stiring up Team Coxon with poetry....Cocko's boys are now smiling and pumped and throw the small rig into Thurlow Fisher Lawyers.
Not far away the Rag's bowman David Witt is in earshot of Seve's boys and starts the short but effective sledging attack....Seve is nervous, the Big Fella starts on some of his own poetry to console them which winds David Witt up to some of his best work......a crowd gathers. David the Bookie now rushing around in circles looking a tad confused by this. The boats depart for the race and just off the start line.....would you believe it Rag and 7 collide and are out of the race and limp ashore with no redress possible ...... Cocko wins!... the crowd goes wild. David, the bookie ends up even, and for the last race of the Championship the 3 favourites are tied together..... that's enough of the Spielberg plot for now the end of the movie is still with the writers......but it sounds exciting so far. Good luck on Saturday trust the Spielberg script doesn't confuse you lot too much....does anyone read this?
News Update - 21st Feb. 0729 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Again, no one was able to put a full Podium together in Heat 4 yesterday. We had 21 with 2 correct go into the hat and out came.....pipes & drums **** Phil Cub Barnett **** Phil had Thurlow and C-Tech and yesterday there was a lot of love for C-Tech. The people who picked the 3 favourites in different orders suffered yesterday with Smeg jumping into the Podium by 1 sec. right on the line. 3 boats crossed within 2 secs. with 7 and Pure Blonde just missing out......check it out on the vids.
Phil wins the cool www.barzoptics.com san Juan Floater sunnies and now joins Tina Babbage, Adam Young, Graeme Tumber and Sue Tucker in the Major JJ Prize Draw next Sunday and the Bragging Rights for Heat 4.....Graeme Tumer is the only one to pick a full Podium thus far ....c'mon
The forecast today looks like small rigs...SE 16 knts + or - So, who's quick and safe in this situ?? a lot actually..... and they are all itching to have a crack at each other, boys being what they are....COMPETITIVE AS HELL. On the other hand we might see a split between big and small, it just depends on whether it puffs or doesn't.
I think we will see a different Podium mix today especially that we are expecting not one but two Big Ship Departures this afternoon......remember the chaos last Saturday when the "Amsterdam" departed.
So, there you have it.... expect action and drama from today's Heat 5 and Good Luck
News Update - 20th Feb. 0719 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Firstly, congratulations go to Sue Tucker (Pom) who cam out of the hat yesterday to beat 22 other equal pickers with Gotta Luv it 7, and Rag and Famish Hotel. Sue wins the cool www.barzoptics.com San Juan Floater sunnies and will join Tina Babbage, Adam Young and Graeme Tumber (Pom also)
Now, if yesterday's heat 3 was a Golf match this is how it played out..... Sydney Harbour looked magnificent let's say it's Pebble Beach....yes it looked that good. All 32 golfers were milling about and when it was time to play the 1st hole, Seve decided he was Tiger Woods and hit a magnificent wood to Bradleys Head corner and creamed the opposition. Rag's hit didn't carry as well and Thurlow sliced his shot well into the tree line and had to play sideways to get back to the fairway. Seve hits another solid fairway wood right at the target and sinks his birdie putt....nice start. Rag got up and down for a par with Appliances on Line a par also. The second hole to Shark Island, saw Seve "Woods" keep the pressure on and went to the 3rd with a nice par. Rag hit a great approach shot for a birdie op but carded a par. Cocko "Balasteros" played the 2nd beautifully with a great approach shot, it looked like an eagle was possible, but in one of the most outrageous occurances ever seen on a golf course, his Golf bag and his Caddie unfortunately exploded next to the hole.....he didn't even get to putt and the Thurlow crew took no part in next 6 holes at "The Beach" Seve Woods went on to card 5 more pars and had a birdie on the last to go into the magnificant Pebble Beach Clubhouse on top of the Leader Board.... Jack Nicholas Rag is now lying 3 strokes off the lead. Cocko "Balasteros" is in trouble but at has procured another Caddy (Trev), who is putting another set of clubs together and has got hold of a Police snifferb dog, as we go to get breakfast.......it's all on today folks I think we are on Augusta for Heat 4......not a bad golf course Augusta in a SE'er
Good luck today ....BK
News Update - 19th Feb. 0845 hrs Sydney Time by BK
Big black clouds this morning, bursts of sunlight and nill wind.....looks like another bloody Course 6 ENE. The only good thing it's supposed to be up to 15 knts. so the breeze should be more filled in across the track. Just spoke to Seve Jarvin to check on his dodgy knee and he said he's driving today.....
The trap for all the Teams is to get of the line cleanly, especially on the Course 6 start line in Taylor Bay and not be over, like Mojo Wine last Sunday. Expect James Dorran to come out with guns blazing today. I'm thinking that this one will be fiercely contested, due to the fact that most fancied boats have already secured what they hope is their dicarded race in the overall points tally.
So, get your entry in now...... only 3 hrs to go before shut off for Heat 3
News Update . 18th Feb. 1417 hrs. Sydney Time by BK
Big winner yesterday was Graeme Tumber who stood alone with the 3 favourites from my Ready Reckoner and had them in the exact order - 1st Thurlow, 2nd 7, and 3rd Rag. now how easy was that ?? just take them of the top ranks on the Ready Reckoner folks. Graeme will be going into the draw for the Major JJ Pick the Podium Prizes come next Sunday with Tina Babbage, Adam Young our first 2 winners....
Well if you watch the long clip, it was pure luck or genius for that Podium outcome, given where those 3 Podium boats were at different times during the race. Not to mention Mojo Wines being OCS and a non finisher after sailing a superb race. JD and his guys were a tad shattered after that.....but they will Podium again in this JJ I'm sure.
Also, I must confess my role in the demise of the earlier leader Team Daly, who had scootered away into a great lead approaching the leeward marks. Team Daly unexpectantly stopped dead right in front of the Camera Cat (their spinnaker caught a wave) in attempting a crash stop the both engines stalled and our momentum put us into them and punching a hole in the tuck.....a right mess and a lesson for me. They will have it back in the water for Heat 3 tomorrow though, and will be awarded redress for average points at this stage of proceedings.
I will put up more in the morning after the sun rises......
News Update - 17th Feb. 0848 hrs. _ Sydney time by BK
Hooley Dooley!!!!!! and good morning Pickers.... wanna get excited ?? if so, you might want to stand up for this weather forecast because you will be leaping off the deck..... www.seabreeze.com.au click on the NSW map...
If that forecast remains true, then the JJ has just entered the "Last man Standing" .....the sport of, I mean.... a Stephen Bradbury race prediction right there folks. This JJ is shaping up as if it was made in heaven.....all quality.
Now, back to the business of picking a full Podium with your 3rd pick in the hole, and plucking a handy little www.appliancesonline.com.au bar Fridge as well in heat 2..... C-Tech was given a get out of jail card courtesy of the outbound SS Amsterdam yesterday.......C-Tech got a "keeper" after being deep deep. But, today might just suit their light weight crew (your call) as its a big rig forecast.
What was evident to me yesterday..... the wind puffed in just before the start which took what looked like being a C-Tech speed advantage.... thier total crew weight is approx 20kgs. lighter than Cockos and he's lighter than the other podium suspects, but alas it then tipped to the advantage of the heavier crews in a heart beat, which pushed C-Tech way back in the chasers dept. So, this is what I've been raving on about for a while coming up to the JJ...that the weather, more than any other JJ for a long while, is going to decide this JJ. So, get your favs. for lower end and higher end performance and ponder the weather forecast big time......which all means the later you enter before cut off time, the better.
I have updated the "Ready Reckoner" groups this am. Rag, for me is equal with 7, and TFL and I have adjusted Pure Blonde and Yamaha (NZ) up a level also.......I like both of these Teams' tough racing approach.
Buckle up folks this JJ promises everything and I like what "Huey" is playing with for the rest of it. Good luck today BK
News Update - 16th Feb. 2112hrs. Sydney time by BK
What a start to the JJ! ....the "fat lady" didn't get the nod until the last 100 mtrs. The Camera Cat "play of the day" didn't go to a 18ft Skiff competitor, but in bizarre circumstances, we gave that award to the Skipper of the Port Authority clearance vessel leading the brut of an obstacle, the outward bound "SS Amsterdam" .....you need to watch the Long Video race coverage of the last beat to the finish to understand the impact and outcomes of that scarey affair. Because we don't know the master of the vessel in question we will hold that prize, the www.barzoptics.com Black Floater Sunnise for a double award later on.
We had 7 entries with 2 right go into the hat, and out popped .....drums and pipes > Adam Young ..congratulations Adam you picked, 7, Thurlow, and Rag like the rest. Once again no full Podium....com'on you lot. Adam gets his own pair of barzoptics Floaters which will be coming his way asap. and importantly will join Tina Babbage with another 6 winners come Sunday week for a shot at the www.appliancesonline.com.au Samsung Plazma HD TV, the Sailingbits Velocitek Speed Puck, and the www.slamonline.com.au Force1 SLAM Jacket.
I will update the "Ready Reckoner" by 0800 in the morning...so dream about the perfect podium for tomorrow zzzzzzz....Pure Blonde now seriously joins the party of Podium suspects. back then
News Update - 16th Feb. 0902hrs. Sydney time by BK
Suns up, breeze funnily enough is NW on the Harbour.....check out the forecast > www.seabreeze.com.au which points to ESE maybe 10 to 15 knts. and as I've beeen say the weather systems and what they deliver will sort out this fleet during the first few heats. That's to mean the lighter crews like C-Tech (220kgs total) will motor if its under 10 knts BUT if it puffs to 12 -13 knts the local big crews will come through and dominate the Podium eg. Rag, Smeg, AOL, Thurlow etc. The other consideration for you is who you think are good / strong off the start line and can fight for a lane and hold it, because the Course 6 windward leewards demand your picks get around in the top 6 places. The only way you can evaluate that is to closely watch the Start sequence on the Long Video of each race....yesterday you had 4 starts to look at.
I have moved a couple of boats around on the "Ready Reckoner" on the Competition Tips page ....I put Yandoo next to CST (USA) because they love to beat each other (funny that) Howie got Woody yesterday...also, moved Team Daly up into Group 3 because they have great boat speed and could upset a Podium during the JJ.
That's all for now....if all that makes No Sense at all just pick a few top ranked boats and get them in and you will have a good a chance as anyone else of going into the hat come Sunday 24th Feb......Good luck today BK
News Update - 15th Feb. 1845 hrs. Sydney time by BK
First things 1st....Congratulations Tina Babbage (blister of Scott) who was a stand alone winner with 2 correct...C-Tech, and Gotta Luv it 7 plus she had Thurlow Fisher Lawyers who retired. Tina for her effort wins a cool pair of www.barzoptics.com San Juan Floater Sunnies and is the 1st winner into the hat come Sunday 24th for a shot at the www.appliancesonline.com.au Samsung TV, and the www.sailingbits.com Velocitek Speed Puck and the SLAM www.slamonline.com.au Force 1 Jacket.
Now, you need to watch the race video...if you want to add some insight to your JJ short list....for now all I can tell you until the the race video is uploaded is C-Tech has joined the party for Podium suspects during the JJ....
Also, my JJ Ready Reckoner on the BK's Tips page is intact at this point. We had a Black Flag start situ today which took my wild card idea The Black Dog out and a pile of other boats........the weather should be still key to your picks for the next 5 days. Today was around 8 -10 knts and C-Tech have a light crew ...hey presto!
Mojo Wines finished 3rd behind Gotta Luv it 7 but were motoring nicely in that range. Seve's guys would have to feel happy with a 2nd....watch the video and you will see they sailed further due to being pushed to the worst bottom turn marks at least 3 times. In short I didn't see a lot other than Mojo Wines looked good, Lumix was good even though they shouldn't have been on the course due to the Black Flag award.
If you can wait before you enter, until I get my thoughts together for extra tip value at approx 0800hrs ...there's lots to pass on. See if you can hang off till then, if not have a crack
See you then ....BK
News Update - 15th Feb. 0808 hrs by BK
She's looking like big rigs folks, check it for yourself www.seabreeze.com.au In fact check out all the local Sydney forecast until next Thurs.....it all looks like big rigs.
So, if you want to be awarded Legend Bragging Rights from each of the 8 races in front of you, you need to take a good look over today's Invitation Race (it's a practice race so it counts for zip in the JJ event) It's game ON for you Pick the Podium people as of now .....get them in before 12 noon Sydney time
Here's a little bit from my crystal ball ...check out what happens to The Black Dog (UK) today....how they get off the line, holding their lane, pace, and positioning coming into the mark roundings.... Jarrod Simpson is in for some fun with his two Aussie crew today.
Good Luck today BK
News Update - 14th Feb. 11.50am by BK
OK! here we go with the JJ info "Blog" ......
Just spoke to Seve Jarvin re his leg problem and his boat problem and in a nutshell .... the repairs have been finished and materials are curing as we speak so it's a transport from Munster's factory and then re assembly before the Inviataion race which starts at 1500hrs tomorrow......possible? Seve said he will be sailing if the boat is ready tomorrow but at least in the 1st Heat Sat. with pain killing injections to his dodgy knee.....doable, he thinks!
Now, seeing that the Inviatation Race is one of the Pick the Podium Special JJ Comp. for a chance to get in the draw for our great prizes come Sunday afternoon the 24th then it would be a tad adventurous to pick Gotta Luv it 7 in your picks for tomorrow if she doesn't start in the race.
All the OS boats are now in the Rigging Park, Howie Hamlin's CST was the 1st....he arrived and has been testing since last Sat. The UK entry, The Black Dog could be a strong suspect to podium in this JJ. jarrod Simpson has pulled Ewan McNichol and Geoff Beauchop together....Ewan on the sheet and Geoff bow. I like the potential of this team, but let's see what they have for us in tomorrows trial race before you want to use them in your Podium Picks.
I believe the JJ weather will shape the outcome of this event particulary that the first 3 races look to be mid range in strength. So, I think you will see the heavier crews go with Bigs and the lighter crews with their Smalls.
Have a look at the BK's Tips page and check out my "Ready Reckoner" rankings for the fleet that should help you get started with the mixing of the OS Teams with the Sydney Teams. The Teams under the 3rd Ranked Groups could surprise but I think the value is in the Teams above the line. Anyway, that's why you need to watch the Race Video of the "Trial Invitation Race" as you should get a handle on who's who in the fleet going forward to Heat 1.
Hope you all like the new JJ web site....I'm still getting used to it also, so just push on and learn like me. 10/4
more later if I get anymore news this arvo.. BK
At 1500hrs Thurs....
Chad's Angels / Bluewave launched for their first taste of Sydney Harbour (5 knots) followed by Maersk Line (NZ), Winning Appliances (Qld), Howie Hamlins CST, C-Tech (NZ) The Black Dog (UK) ...that's all by 1519 hrs.