Last week, sailing enthusiasts and experienced competitors gathered for a thrilling series of regattas that took place across the globe. Each event provided a unique blend of challenge and camaraderie, sending waves of excitement and competition across the sailing world.
From the turbulent waters of Miami’s Biscayne Bay to the peaceful harbors of Monaco, sailors embarked on a journey of skill, strategy, and sheer determination, leaving an indelible mark on the sport of sailing.
In the heart of Miami, the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta unfolded as a test of skill and resilience amidst extraordinarily difficult sailing conditions. From passing fronts to wildly swinging wind patterns, competitors were pushed to their limits over three days of intense racing. Despite the challenges, the woman-owned and skippered DARK ENERGY emerged triumphant, crowned champion amidst a densely packed fleet, showcasing the spirit of perseverance and determination that defines the world of competitive sailing.
In the pristine waters of Monaco’s Hercules Bay, the 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBS drew the sailing world’s elite to compete in one of Europe’s most prestigious regattas. Against the backdrop of Monaco’s iconic skyline, teams fought for glory in a showcase of skill and precision. Amidst the competition, G-SPOT rose to the occasion, eclipsing the J/70 fleet, a testament to the team’s dedication and prowess on the water.
On the northeastern shores of San Francisco Bay, the Big Daddy Regatta kicked off the 2024 sailing season on the Bay with two days of thrilling competition. Against the backdrop of Point Richmond, the J/111 SKELETON KEY dominated the fleet, flying to victory in a display of speed and agility. With one-design racing on Saturday and a PHRF handicapped pursuit race on Sunday, the regatta showcased the diversity and excitement of sailing on the Bay.
In the historic port of Anzio, Italy, the Roman J/24 Fleet dramatically concluded its 39th Winter Championship. Ignazio Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA reigned supreme once again, claiming victory amidst stiff competition. As new challengers emerge and old rivalries are renewed, the Italian sailing community celebrates another successful J/24 championship, setting the stage for future battles on the water.
Upcoming EventsAs the sailing season progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming Scachet Head Race in Seattle and the US Youth Championship in Bristol, RI.
US Sailing recognized the contributions of Robert L. Johnstone III, presenting him with the prestigious Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing. A celebration will take place in June 2024 at this year’s US Youth Championship in Bristol, RI.
Additionally, aspiring woman sailors like Ellie Menezes and Cole Brauer share their inspiring stories of passion and perseverance, proving that with the right opportunity and dedication, anything is possible on the open seas.
In the ever-evolving world of competitive sailing, each regatta offers a unique blend of challenge, excitement, and camaraderie, drawing sailors from around the world to test their skills on the open waters. Join us as we continue to explore the captivating world of sailing, where every race is a journey of discovery and every victory a testament to the enduring spirit of the human adventure on the sea.
Explore the World with the Cruise Edition J/45!
(Newport, RI)- The first Cruise Edition of the J/45 (pictured above) launches next month in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, and then ships to Newport, Rhode Island for a summer of cruising New England.
This new edition features a custom 6’ draft (1.82m), all-lead keel, and optimized carbon spar package (64.5’ max height) designed for easier access to shallow cruising grounds and more restrictive waterways, including the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) on the east coast of the USA. For more J/45 Offshore Cruising yacht information….Read more here.
DARK ENERGY Crowned J/70 Bacardi Cup Champion!
(Miami, FL)- The 2024 edition of the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta will be remembered for its extraordinarily difficult sailing conditions throughout the three-day event. A passing front on Thursday followed by party sunny to sunny skies and planing mode conditions on Friday and Saturday left many top teams scratching their heads trying to decipher the wildly swinging wind patterns across the race track. It was not unusual to see teams gain and drop 10 to 15 boats at a time because the fleet was so densely packed.
The regatta took place in Miami from March 6th to 9th, 2024. The entry list had over 500 sailors from 20+ nations. A stellar fleet of J/70s assembled at Coral Reef Yacht Club for this much-anticipated regatta. Amongst the forty-eight teams in attendance were both World, North American, South American, and European Champions along with a smattering of Olympic Champions. Ten nations were represented among those teams- the USA, Italy, Great Britain, Sweden, Bermuda, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Spain. In the end, it was Laura Grondin’s DARK ENERGY that was seemingly dialed in and in tune with the weather Godz, as they climbed to the top of the podium on the second day of racing and stayed there until the end! Here’s how it all went down over three days and eight races on beautiful Biscayne Bay azure-blue waters…Read more
G-SPOT Eclipses J/70 Primo Cup- Trophee UBS
Swiss JERRY Tops Competitive Corinthians Division(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- At the start of the 2024 season, the sailing world’s eyes were fixed on the Principality of Monaco where top international one-design teams would be competing at the 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBS. Over the years, this regatta has left its mark, attracting big names in sailing.
Launched in 1985 at the instigation of YCM President HSH Prince Albert II, the regatta has established itself as a major European one-design gathering in the Mediterranean. The more than 30-year partnership with technical clothing supplier SLAM, alongside UBS, and support from Monaco’s City Council, has contributed to its quality and prestige. “As part of our ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, the Primo Cup-Trophée UBS has embodied tradition and excellence in the one-design world for four decades,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
The event also coincided with the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas that run from November to March for J/70s, underlining YCM’s commitment to promoting year-round competitive sailing and giving sailors a training platform before international events…..Read more
Big Daddy Regatta- J/111 SKELETON KEY Stomps!!
(Point Richmond, CA)- The first major offshore event on San Francisco Bay for 2024 took place last weekend, the incredibly fun Big Daddy Regatta hosted by Richmond Yacht Club on the northeastern part of the Bay. The format is enjoyed by many sailors, with one-design and buoy racing on Saturday, followed by a PHRF handicapped “pursuit race” on Sunday.
Saturday- One-DesignLooking forward to sailing their first major event of the year were one-design fleets of J/24a, J/105s, and J/88s.
J/105 ClassFourteen boats entered the J/105 class. Many notable San Francisco Bay teams were in attendance. In the end, there were familiar names at the top of the leaderboard. Winning handily with a 3-2-1 tally for 6 pts was Tim Russell’s NE*NE. Second place went to Doug Bailey’s AKULA with a 2-4-4 scoreline for 10 pts. Rounding out the podium in third was Walter Sanford’s ALCHEMY with a 1-5-7 for 13 pts….Read more
J/24 Italy Report
(Anzio, Italy)- The Roman J/24 Fleet has just concluded the 39th Winter Championship. Yet again, it was Ignazio Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA team that won flying the colors of the Italian Navy. Luca Sivlerstri’s ENJOY 2 took second and Gianni Riccobono’s PEELE ROSSA finished in third place. A newcomer to the fleet and top woman help was Michele Potenza’s ARPIONE.
The UNUCI Anzio-Nettuno Challenge Trophy, presented by delegate Marcello Boschi, also went to the multiple Italian champions and reigning World Vice Champions of Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA.
Having successfully the Roman J/24 Winter Series, the Circolo della Vela di Roma is ready to run the 2024 Italian J/24 National Circuit’s first event of the year on March 16th and 17th. The circuit includes ten stages from March to November 2024, with the winner being awarded the Francesco Ciccolo Perpetual Challenge Trophy…Read more
Scachet Head Race Preview
(Seattle, WA)- Corinthian YC of Seattle’s Center Sound Series is taking place from March 3rd to 23rd, 2024. The series starts with the Possession Point Race, followed by the Blakely Rock Race, and completes with the Scachet Head Race.
Overall in both ORC and PHRF handicap divisions, various J/Teams are at the top of the leaderboard. As this weekend is the finale, all is up for grabs in some of those divisions to determine who’s on which step of the podium after the Scachet Head Race!
ORC DivisionIn the ORC handicap division, J/111 teams are doing very well both Overall ORC and in the ORC 6 Division….Read more
US Sailing recognizes Bob Johnstone- Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy
(Newport, RI)- Robert L. Johnstone, lll has been named the 2023 recipient of the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy, US Sailing’s most prestigious annual award, going to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in this country in any associated activity. Presentation of the Trophy is planned during the 2024 US Youth Championship in Bristol, RI June 22-25.
The recipient is selected by the Board of Directors from nominations made by US Sailing members.
Bob Johnstone’s legacy in sailing is extensive. Along with his yacht designer brother Rod, he co-founded J/Boats, one of sailing’s leading performance brands, with five World Sailing International Classes, and thousands of boats being sailed at all levels of the sport from grassroots to World Championships.
Division….Read more
An Invitation I Couldn’t Refuse- Sail J/70 Midwinters!
(Tampa, FL)- Ellie Menezes has been fortunate to have been sailing with the MudRatz Youth Sailing program for the past few years on various sports boats. This year, she had an opportunity to go sailing on a J/70 at the J/70 Midwinter Championship in Tampa, FL. Here is her story about that experience:
“While dreaming of sailing during the depth of winter in southeastern Connecticut, my C-420 coach Esteban Forrer (29) from team One United called to see if I wanted to race in the 2024 J/70 Midwinter Championship. As a 17-year-old in High School, it was as if I’d gotten the golden ticket like Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
I was all in and thankfully prepared due to my experience with the MudRatz Youth Sailing Organization. Peter Bergendahl donated his Melges 24 to this non-profit, community sailing group in 2016 which we named Opportunity as it gave me and over 30 other ambitious youth sailors experience in sportboat racing..Read more
Cole Brauer: Right place, Right time…
(Coruna, Spain)- As part of her training program leading up to the Global Solo Challenge, Cole Brauer sailed with a former J/Boats employee Patrick Gavin-Barnes on a J/105 in the Chesapeake Doublehanded Race! We applaud and congratulate her on her tremendous effort in taking the silver medal recently in the Global Solo Challenge on her Class 40 FIRST LIGHT. Craig Leweck of SAILING SCUTTLEBUTT interviewed her after the finish. Here is that interview.
“There are times when the sport melts the internet, and Cole Brauer did that when she finished the 2023-24 Global Solo Challenge. We all got to know the 29-year-old Cole for 130 days as she shared her non-stop race around the world, and amidst the media flurry that followed her finish, she caught up with Sailing Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck for this chat:
How surreal was your arrival?
It’s been a very, very strange feeling. When people are crying and hugging me and staring at me and congratulating me, it feels like, “Oh, it’s too soon,” like I haven’t done enough yet. It felt as if I had never left; it was like a time warp. We are now staying in the same hotel that I stayed in for almost a month before the start, four months ago. I’m nearly in the same room. All of the employees are the same. But then everyone congratulates you…Read more
J/Gear March 20% Off Specials
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