Bill Zartler’s Solaris Repeats as J/105 Midwinter Champion

Bill Zartler and his Solaris team will be keeping the title of J/105 Midwinter Champion. Despite placing seventh in Sunday’s only race, Solaris hung on for the two-point victory and back-to-back Midwinter Championship trophies. With crew Chris Lewis, Karen Lewis, Gustavo Eacobar, Michael Byrne and Cynthia Powell, Zartler completed the nine-race series with 28 points and a line of 8,1,5,1,3,1,1,1,7. Host Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX claimed the top two boats of the event, as Bill Lakenmacher’s Radiance placed second with 30 points. New York’s Paul Beaudin on Avici came in third at 40 points. Zartler praised the Race Committee for fulfilling their goal of nine races, and also commended the stellar competition. “It was great to have competitors coming from all over the country, and see the fleet continue to grow” he said. Teams were postponed on shore in the morning when a line of storms came through. When the AP flag came down and the 13 boats were sent to the race course, winds averaged 10-12 knots. Greg Turman’s Horny Toad won Sunday’s only race, trailed by Beaudin and Lakenmacher. The top five: Bill Zartler, Solaris (28 points), Bill Lakenmacher, Radiance (30), Paul Beaudin, Avici (40), Greg Turman, Horny Toad (52), James Macdonald, Distant Passion (52). The J/105 Class extends its appreciation to the Lakewood Yacht Club and all of its volunteers. Photos are available on the J/105 Facebook page, and complete results may be found at the