Thanks to Dave Noble for this report: The J/24 Florida State Championship Series for 2017 and 2018 is about to begin with the first regatta of five to be sailed in Melbourne, FL sponsored by Fleet 87. But before I promote this coming series, I must recognize the champion of the past 2016/2017 series. Last year at Melbourne’s kick-off regatta, the Fleet 10 Miami-based J/24 Muy Muy, skippered by Patricio Sly and his dedicated crew of Ernesto Mendoza, Claudio Mintzias, Atilio Renom and Alejandro Ballestin pulled out the win over a competitive 14-boat fleet. Muy Muy did not do so well at the next stop – Florida Yacht Club’s Kings Day Regatta, finishing just beyond mid-fleet in the 14-boat fleet. But points should be award for his support of this event 360 miles from home. The next couple of series regattas are sailed on Florida’s West Coast: St Petersburg’s Green Bench regatta and Tampa’s Davis Island Yacht Club’s Rodeo. These are spring-time regattas which always are challenging to attend with all the various sailing going on in Florida , however Patricio and crew were able to sail at DIYC’s Rodeo where he scored a first overall. The culmination to the Series is mid-summer at The State Championships sailed in Miami, a venue desirable to most sailors, also Muy Muy’s home waters. This year, the regatta was also District 10’s Championship, attracting Florida’s best J sailors. Muy Muy got off to rough start on the first day, but was able to sail very well the second day to finish third on the podium, with John Poulson in Longshot winning. Due to their consistent sailing and Series participation, Patricio Sly and his dedicated and loyal crew on Muy Muy are the 2016/2017 J/24 Florida State Series Champion. Well Done Patricio. The first event of the 2017/2018 Florida State Championship Series will be held at Melbourne, Florida Fleet 87. Peter Fischel is the event organizer, and information can be obtained at http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/15384.