Bill Zartler’s Solaris on Top After Day 1 of J/105 Midwinter Championship

Local Bill Zartler took Solaris to the top of the leaderboard after four races on the first day of the J/105 Midwinter Championship. Defending Champion Zartler, of host Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas, began the day with an eighth place tally, then won two of the next three races for an overall score of 15 points. He leads another local, Bill Lakenmacher on Radiance, by 2 points. Paul Beaudin of New York, NY is another point behind with 18. LYC’s Uzi Ozeri on Infinity kicked off the event with a win in race 1, followed by Donald Santa’s Santas Reign, Dear and Mark Smith’s Marian V. Conditions were perfect on Galveston Bay with 70 degree temperatures and winds between 10-12 knots. Zartler took the victory in race 2, with Lakenmacher in second and Greg Turman’s Horny Toad third. Lakenmacher moved up to race winner in the third bout, trailed by Santa and Beaudin. Zartler won the race back to shore by claiming race 4, when wind conditions had increased to 16-18 knots. Beaudin placed second and Lakenmacher third, although with a scoring penalty notched a 9. Racing continues through Sunday. Photos are available on the J/105 Facebook page, and complete results may be found at the