Month: September 2024

(Newport, RI)- This year’s ORC World Championship will be the first time in nearly a quarter century that sailing’s offshore world titles are decided on American waters. The last time was in 2000 when the New York Yacht Club hosted the IMS World Championship. The regatta will be run from September 27th to October 5th. Notably, the only foreign entry is from Poland. Several J/Teams are participating and it will be interesting to see how they compete against a wide variety of designs.

ORC A DivisionThis nineteen-boat fleet has three J/Teams participating. There are two J/133s- Steven Brownlie’s ASSARAIN IV and a local Rhode Island crew on VAMOOSE led by Bob Manchester from Barrington Yacht Club. Also sailing is Trevor Roach’s J/121 TOUCH OF GREY from Stamford, CT.
ORC B DivisionIn this eleven-boat fleet are four J/crews. Sailing are two hot J/122s; Tom Sutton’s bright red LEADING EDGE and Constantine Baris’s DIRE WOLF. Joining them are two highly competitive teams, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s J/111 FIREBALL and Al Minella’s J/112E THE ROCC. 
ORC C DivisionThis five-boat fleet will have the J/105 SLEEPER sailing with the NEKA Sailing Foundation crew of six from Glen Cove, New York. For more ORC World Championship sailing information

This week’s J/Newsletter has been nothing short of thrilling news for sailing enthusiasts worldwide, as premier events across iconic waters crowned new champions and pushed the limits of competitive sailing. In this week’s J/Newsettler, we travel from the stunning Bay of Palma in Spain to the windswept coasts of Denmark and the vibrant shores of Annapolis, where sailors have battled fiercely for glory.
In Palma Mallorca, the highly anticipated Sandberg Estates J/70 World Championship saw an American team take home the top prize after five intense days of world-class racing. Meanwhile, in Denmark, Team SALT proved unbeatable at the WOW (Women On Water) J/70 Championship, adding another accolade to their remarkable season. And, over in Annapolis, a new team claimed victory at the J/30 US National Championship on Chesapeake Bay.
Looking ahead, the action doesn’t stop. The elite of the sailing world is preparing for the J/70 SAILING Champions League Finale in Vilamoura, Portugal. Meanwhile, competitive fleets gather for the J/88 North American Championship in Macatawa Bay, MI, and the J/105 North Americans in Cleveland, OH. Plus, registration is now open for the always popular Southernmost Regatta in Key West, promising sun, fun, and world-class competition in 2025!

Fall Boat Shows Calendar!
(Newport, RI)- Amazingly enough, the summer is coming to a close in the northern hemisphere. This summer seemed to simply fly by! Kids are back in school, family back to work. But, it’s also a time to dream about the future! Fall boat shows are about to begin in both Europe and the USA. Here are the highlights for you to consider in both places.
USA
Annapolis Sailboat Show- Annapolis. MD – October 10th to 14th, 2024This show will mark the USA debut of the extraordinary NEW J/40 performance cruising yacht. An exciting collaboration between J/Boats design team, J/Composites in France, and an inspired interior design influenced by French designer Isabelle Racoupeau. In addition, there will be the J/9 daysailer, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht. 
J/45 Video by Mike Coe- Experience the Performance & Luxury!In Annapolis, MD, Mike Coe and 410 Films take us on an informative tour of the J/45 luxury performance offshore cruising yacht. Enjoy and watch it here on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNkSvCt6bs
For more Annapolis Sailboat Show information.
EUROPE
Grand Pavois- La Rochelle, France- October 3rd to 6th, 2024The La Rochelle boat show is one of the most enjoyable events for various reasons. First, La Rochelle is a famous French seaport renowned for its culture and amazing variety of restaurants, pubs, shopping, and nightclubs! Like Annapolis, this show will mark the European debut of the new J/40 offshore performance cruising yacht. In addition, the J/99 offshore shorthanded racer, the J/112E offshore performance yacht, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht will be on display.. For more Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show information
Valencia Boat Show- Valencia, Spain- October 23rd to 27th, 2024At this spectacular marina that was significantly updated for the America’s Cup back in the AC75 days will be the 2024 Valencia Boat Show. On display will be the J/99 offshore shorthanded speedster that has been the stuff of legend in its short history of sailing across the world’s oceans. Learn more about it at the show!  For more Valencia Boat Show information

Newhouse/ Wilmot’s YONDER Crowned J/70 World Champions!
(Palma Mallorca, Spain)- The Sandberg Estates J/70 World Championship was held in Palma Mallorca from September 13th to 22nd by the Real Club Nautico de Palma. It was extremely competitive sailing for the five days of racing on the gorgeous Bay of Palma. 
97 boats sailed the regatta from 25 different countries: Argentina (4), Australia (5), Austria (1), Bermuda (1), Brazil (6), Canada (1), Cayman Islands (1), Denmark (1), Spain (12), Estonia (1), Finland (2), France (3), Great Britain (7), Germany (2), Italy (5), Mexico (2), Monaco (4), Netherlands (2), Norway (2), Portugal (4), Switzerland (5), Sweden (4), Turkey (3), Uruguay (2), and USA (17). 
Ultimately, the American team of Doug Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot’s YONDER were proclaimed 2024 J/70 World Champions. Their crew included Ted Hackney on jib/spin trim and George Peet as bowman.  
On the final day, a north-easterly wind averaging ten knots allowed the Race Committee to give a punctual start at 11:30 hrs for the last race of the competition. The race was won by British team Charles Thompson and Tom Mallindine’s BRUTUS II and followed in second place by Spaniard Luis Albert’s PATAKIN, with third going to the Brazilian team, Renato Faria’s TO NESSA.  Leading since day 1 of the J/70 World Championship, Newhouse/ Wilmot’s YONDER from the New York Yacht Club, finished in eleventh place, sufficient to give the team their event win, and to be proclaimed the brilliant new world J/70 champions. Moreover, the team finished with a ten-point lead over the second-placed team, having accumulated two partial podium positions over the eight races competed, and discarding a 23rd place finish. Regularity and the ability to race without committing any major errors proved crucial for success at the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds. “After a great deal of hard work, planning, training, regattas, and teamwork, we have achieved our goal of winning the world championships, which is quite frankly incredible. We had the regatta of our lives, and the team fought extremely hard,” commented Newhouse on arrival at the docks in RCNP. The second podium position was finally claimed by the Brazilian team, Ralph Vasconcellos’ MINDSET from the IC Río de Janeiro (crew of Julia Carvalho, Guilherme Hamelmann, & Goncalo Ribiero), and third went to the title defenders, British team BRUTUS II from the Royal Southern YC led by Charles Thompson (crew of Chris Grube, Tom Mallandine, Ben Saxton, & Elizabeth Whitener) who were able to move up from their fifth place yesterday, thanks to their win in the last race of the world championships. CORINTHIAN DIVISIONWinning Corinthians was Pedro Garra’s PLAN B from YC Punta del Este, Uruguay with a crew of Juan PedroColl, Juan Ignacio Regusci, and Quique Schickendantz. They were followed by Alec Cutler’s HEDGEHOG team from Royal Bermuda YC, Bermuda (Ryan Cox, Charles Pucciariello, &. Brad Rodi), and the Italian team Sofía Giondi’s WANDERLUST from Yacht Club Rimini (Filippo Baldassari, Matteo Morellina, & Luca Tubaro), second and third place, respectively. ONE-PRO DIVISIONIn the One Pro division, the first-placed team was Tim Ryan’s VAMOS team (Rob Greenhalgh, Jess Grimes, & Charlie Gundy) from the Cruising YC Australia, who also obtained a brilliant fifth place in the overall results! Second place was the Mexican team, Ignacio Pérez’s ZAGUERO (crew of Juan Ignacio Perez, Santiago Perez, and Manuel Weiller) from the Vallarta YC. Finally, third to earn the bronze medal was Nuno Espirito Santo’s BABA II from the CN Cascais (Portugal) with a crew of Francisco Palacio Iglesias, Luis Guedes de Queiroz, & Hugo Rocha. MIXED-PLUS DIVISIONIn the Mixed-Plus Division, victory went to the local team, Maria Bover’s BALEARIA with a crew of Jaume Genovard Riera, Javier Gonzalez Rotger, Melania Henke Riera, and Miriam Oliva. 
YOUTH DIVISIONThe winners of the Youth Division were the Dutch team Sven Van Der Plasse’s MOORE DRV from WV Wolphaartsdijk. Sven’s crew included Mees de Graaf, Sander Jongenelen, Bas Van Der Gulik, and Thijs Veitman.  WOMEN’S TEAM DIVISIONWinning the Women’s team division went to Ava Wilson’s American team on TEAM CONVERGENCE from the Chicago Yacht Club. Her team included Madeline Baldridge, Hadley Camp, Megan Gimple, and Aisling Sullivan.
TOP WOMEN’S HELM DIVISION- HELEN JOHNSTONE TROPHYThis year’s winner of the Helen Johnstone Trophy for top woman helm was American Laura Grondin’s DARK ENERGY from the New York Yacht Club. Grondin’s team was also in fifteenth place overall. Laura had a formidable and talented team of pros guiding her around the race track- Taylor Canfield (World Match Racing Champion), Scott Ewing, and Ian Liberty! The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 2024 was organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International J/70 Class Association and was sponsored by Sandberg Estates, with the institutional collaboration of Palma Town Hall, the Spanish Navy, the Baleares Port Authority, the Spanish Royal Sailing Federation, and the Baleares Sailing Federation. 
YouTube interview of Doug Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot- YONDER- the World Champions  For more J/70 World Championship sailing information

Team SALT Crowned J/70 WOW Women Champions!
(Sundby/ Copenhagen, Denmark)- Team SALT from Aarhus Sailing Club were favorites even before the WOW (Women On Water) event started, and they did not disappoint either. The winning team did what had to be done and the positions were all at the top, so even though the level was high they were not to be reached. At the top of the table, the positions were very close, and therefore there was also tension until the end and it was not decided until the very end who Team SALT would share the podium with. 
There was a nice visit to the event from both main sponsor ATEA’s CEO Kathrine Forsberg and Anders Kristensen- Director of the Danish Sailing Union. 
A concept that continues to inspireSundby Sailing Association hosted one of the year’s most exciting events. Everything from completely new teams, new sailors, foreign guests, composite teams, Olympic winners, and many others were among the 21 teams that started in Sundby for the 6th WOW event. Sundby Sailing Association managed to create the perfect setting for the WOW event, where the women sailors had the opportunity to show their talent and commitment to the sport. There is no doubt that Women on Water continues to inspire both established sailors and future generations of female racers.
It was also one of the points addressed in the opening speech by Kathrine Forsberg, CEO of ATEA. She commented that “ATEA has been a sponsor of the Danish J/70 Sailing League for ten years because we can learn from the world of sport to create strong teams with diversity as a strength, and WOW is a model for how networks, togetherness, and drive can create international success- both on the water and in business.” 
There is no doubt that the event once again brought together some of Denmark’s most talented women sailors for a weekend full of intense racing and lots of fellowship. 
The top three teams were Team SALT with 17 pts, the KDY Team with 19 pts,  and the Sundby Racing Team with 22 pts. The best foreign team was the Swedish team with skipper Sandra Sandqvist from KSSS (Royal Swedish Yacht Club).
It is not the first time that Team SALT has taken first place, as they are the reigning champions. Nor is it the first time that KDY has been on the podium. However, it was the first time that Sundby Racing as a team had found its way to the podium!
With Copenhagen and the view of Sweden as a background, the conditions were perfect for racing, where the participants experienced a Saturday with 10-15 kts steady winds all day. On Sunday, the wind had lightened a little and the conditions rarely looked better. 
The WOW Regatta is not just about the competition. WOW is a celebration of community and empowerment for women in sailing. The social aspect of the weekend was mainly on Saturday evening when everyone enjoyed the new format of “after-sail with barbecue and rose wine”. A combination after a full day of sailing that took its toll!
Next year’s event will be from September 20th to 21st, 2025. Registration is open and takes place here.  Follow WOW (Women on Water) here on Facebook  Full WOW 2024 Regatta sailing results on SAP.   For more WOW J/70 Women’s Regatta sailing information.

KDY Wins Danish J/70 Sailing League Championship Series 

(Lemvig, Denmark)- The weekend finale that kept the audience on the pier in Lemvig entertained until the last flight. It was (again) KDY Sailing Club who took the final victory in the Danish J/70 Sailing League and could take home the gold. Roskilde SC, who had previously been declared the favorites, had to settle for silver in the overall standings. Kaløvig Sailing Club took bronze and an event victory.
How KDY wonThe battle for the gold was again one of the most intense matches in the Danish J/70 Sailing League. Roskilde SC who went into the 4th event as favorites, although with a replacement in the team, and KDY SC who had not taken as many event wins as usual. Both teams showed their very best. It was close throughout and there was also a fight for 3rd place among the remaining top teams, where sailing was decisive. 
With a light medium wind throughout the weekend, sharp tactical decisions were made, and there was excitement until the end. Excitement was also maintained on land with the help of the two commentators Victor and Ditlev, who throughout the weekend fed the audience with sharp comments and analyses of the teams’ actions.
KDY SC said in their winner’s speech at the award ceremony, “The level continues to rise and it’s great to see so many intense racing and talented club teams. We are overjoyed with the victory and congratulations to all the other teams.” A well-satisfied team that once again shows why they have been at the top of the podium so many times. 
Perfect settingThe pier on Lemvig was well visited and many made their way to the final event in the city center. It was also this weekend that there was the locally known “Crab Festival”, which also contributed to many visitors. In addition, Lemvig puts itself back in the saddle as the absolute best host city, with an army of volunteers that make even the biggest championships look understaffed and a cake buffet as if there was an ongoing competition running. The ultra-high level of hospitality by Lemvig Sejlklub again set them up as the best event hosts.  See the overall leaderboard here.  See the event results here.  For more Danish J/70 Sailing League information.

CANNONBALL 2 Crowned J/30 US National Champions

(Annapolis, MD)- The J/30 sailors that attended this year’s 2024 J/30 US National Championship were thrilled to enjoy eight races over the three-day regatta on the Chesapeake Bay hosted by the very capable Eastport Yacht Club. 
Winning this year was a new name at the top of the leaderboard. Ralph Riddle’s CANNONBALL 2 team started off the regatta with a 2-3-1 on the first day to sit on top of the standings. They never looked back and kept extending their lead to finish with 20 pts net. 
The silver medal was taken by a familiar team that has always been on the podium in most J/30 NA’s. That was the duo of Bob Rutsch & Mike Costello’s BEPOP. They matched CANNONBALL 2’s record on the final day, both boats with a 1-2-5 tally. As a result, the BEPOP boys took the silver just 4 pts back with 24 pts. 
Rounding out the podium on the bronze medal step was top woman helm, Pamela Morris’s BUMP! She sailed an impressive series, had three podium finishes of 1-3-3, and ended up with 35 pts. For more J/30 US National Championship sailing information & results

LA SUPERBA Wins TENTH Italian J/24 Championship!

(Cesenatico, Italy)- Twenty-five J/24 teams from across Italy enjoyed six races over the weekend, hosted by the excellent organization and red-carpet hospitality provided by Circolo Nautico Cesenatico.
The Italian Navy team on LA SUPERBA, led by Ignazio Bonanno with a crew of Alfredo Branciforte, Francesco Picaro, Simone Scontrino, and Francesco Linares yet again dominated the regatta with a stunning 1-1-4-1-1-DNS for 8 pts net. A force to be reckoned with in the Italian J/24 class for years, this was their TENTH victory in the Italian J/24 Nationals (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). 
“We are very happy with the result,” commented the helmsman Bonanno. “The fleet of Romagna has surpassed itself with the excellent organization of the championship supported by the Circolo Nautico Cesenatico that pampered us throughout the event. On the water, the conditions were not easy, very fluctuating weather only allowed us two days of racing out of the four scheduled with a strong breeze and current that put the entire fleet to the test. As usual, we thank our administration for allowing us the activity we carry out and a special thanks goes to Vincenzo Lamberti owner of Valhalla Ita 489 that allowed us to use it and win our 10th Italian title in the J/24 class. Our own LA SUPERBA is already overseas in the USA for the J/24 World Championship in Seattle, WA which will take place at the end of the month! Stay tuned and cheer for us!”
The podium was completed by the silver medal team of PILGRIM skippered Fabio Mazzoni (crewed with bowman Checco Berardi, Cesare Trioschi on the sheets, and Gennaro Maisto on the mast) with a record of 2-4-8-3-4-1 for 14 pts net. And, taking the bronze medal was perennial favorite Pietro Diamanti, President of the Italian J/24 Class. His team on JAMAICA (Andrea Porchera, Paolo Governato, Antonio Lupo, and Paolo Pezzica) posted a commendable 3-5-1-8-2-5 scorecard for 16 pts net. 
“The weather was capricious at first, then it gave us six beautiful races with good wind and waves (almost all with a jib!!!),” commented Benfatto. “An exceptional helmsman, an exceptional trimmer, an exceptional bowman, and an exceptional tactician took me up the rankings!!! Thanks to the organizers of Cesenatico, to the friends of Cervia, and all the owners and racers!!! Long live the Italian J/24 class!” 
“Six beautiful races with strong winds, combined with perfect and exceptional hospitality, made for an exceptional regatta,” commented Diamanti. “It’s a shame that the weather reduced the championship to only two days.”
“We are very satisfied with the Championship apart from the weather that compromised the first two days,” commented the President of CN Cesenatico Massimo Magnani. “For the rest, I would say that the wind on the race course was perfect, demanding, and challenging for all the crews. Six high-level races were completed on two gorgeous days of sailing!”  For more Italian J/24 Class sailing information

 

Upcoming Events

 

45th Anniversay J/24 Worlds Preview

(Seattle, WA)- The Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle and the Port of Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina welcome J/24 sailors from around the world to Washington state and the beautiful Puget Sound for the 2024 J/24 World Championship presented by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese- the 45th anniversay!
The event’s debut in the Pacific Northwest will pair world-class racing with one of the most unique and popular sailing venues in North America. In addition to racing, the event will include a number of Northwest themed social functions including a unique Opening Ceremony and can’t miss post-race refreshments and daily awards. 
The Seattle J/24 Worlds has attracted competitors from Europe, South America, North America, Australia, and Asia in addition to the United States and Canada.
The week of racing will see 56 teams racing against each other on challenging courses set by renowned International Race Officer- Mark Foster from Austin/ Corpus Christi, Texas. The regatta will see close-quarters, competitive racing with regional, national and international level sailors, along with many professional sailmakers fighting it out for the elusive title of 2024 J/24 World Champion.
Since the 1977 launch of the J/24; the first J/24 Midwinters in 1978 in Key West, FL; the first J/24 Worlds in Newport, RI in 1979; the J/24 class worldwide has continued to enjoy a remarkable passion amongst its aficionados no matter where they are on the world’s five continents. This year’s J/24 Worlds in Seattle will see teams from ten nations; including the USA, Australia, Puerto Rico, Italy, England, Germany, Japan, Canada, Ireland, and Greece. Perhaps the most surprising “non-participant” are any teams from South America- Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil- a perennial J/24 “power” in J/24 sailing. 
The leading teams that should be a factor on the leaderboard include; Paul Abdullah/ Nick Turney’s TEAM TARHEEL, Ignazio Bonnano’s “superb” Italian team on LA SUPERBA, the Constants family (Al, Dave, Steve, Mike, Dave Jr) on BLITZ, the Australian John Crawford’s INNAMINCKA, Pietro Diamanti’s Italian team on MAGICA FATA, Kurt Dammier’s AMUSE BOUCHE (with local genius sailor Ron Ronsenberg on-board), Mike Goldfarb’s WAR CANOE, Japan’s Nobuyuki Imai’s SIESTA, Mike Ingham’s USA 5443 (past 2-time J/24 World Champion), Mark Laura’s  BABA LOUIE (watch out for these hot knuckleheads!), Scott Milne’s TREMENDOUS SLOUCH (they don’t suck), Travis Odenbach’s HONEYBADGER (his team doesn’t suck either- his “lucky. charm” is Monica Morgan, for sure!), Susie Taylor’s TAKE FIVE (she will shock you- 3x college woman All-American), and San Francisco’s Jasper Van Vliet’s EVIL OCTOPUS. Sooo cool to see such HOT teams sailing in this year’s J/24 Worlds since 1979… your editor knows most of them as personal friends… very competitive sailing teams!! For more J/24 World Championship sailing information

Showdown in Vilamoura: The World’s Sailing Elite Competes for J/70 SAILING Champions League Title 

(Vilamoura, Portugal)- The grand season finale for the 2024 J/70 SAILING Champions League, held in collaboration with Vilamoura Sailing in the picturesque coastal town of Vilamoura, Portugal is taking place this weekend. Over the next four days, from 26th to 29th September, the 24 best sailing teams from around the globe will compete for the coveted title. These teams have earned their spot in the Finale after advancing through multiple challenging qualifiers in various parts of the world.
A Global Event: Teams from Around the World CompeteThe participants of the 2024 J/70 SAILING Champions League represent the elite of international sailing in the J/70 class. The Richmond Yacht Club from California, USA, secured their place at the Kickoff Event of the first-ever American Sailing League. The Australian team from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club also earned their qualification through the SAILING Champions League Asia Pacific. Additionally, teams advanced through three major Qualifiers in Europe held in Vilamoura, Berlin, and Warnemünde, Germany.
Special attention will be on the Finnish team Åländska Segelsällskapet, the defending champions from last year. In 2023, they triumphed in Travemünde, Germany, and are now aiming to secure back-to-back titles. The 2022 German winner, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, is also returning with an exceptionally young team, boasting an average age of just 20.4 years.
A Competition at the Highest LevelThis season’s level of competition is outstanding, as demonstrated by the extensive list of experienced and accomplished participants. Poland’s Rafal Sawicki, who has been sailing since 1980 and is a five-time Polish champion, leads his team from Yacht Klub Polski Gdynia. Norway also demonstrates its sailing strength with four qualified teams from the Seilsportsligaen, reflecting the high standards of the sport in their country. In total, 18 clubs compete in Norway’s league, similar to the format of Germany’s Deutsche Segel-Bundesliga.
An Exciting Finale Awaits“The SAILING Champions League Final is the highlight of the international sailing scene every year. The best clubs from around the world come together to determine the top of the top in a fair and thrilling competition,” says Oliver Schwall, Founder and CEO of SAILING Champions League.
Over the coming days, the sailors will not only be watched by their fans but by the entire sailing world. The organizers are excited to witness intense racing at the highest level and to crown the champion of the 2024 SAILING Champions League.
About the J/70 SAILING Champions League.  For more J/70 SAILING Champions League sailing information.

J/88 North Americans Preview 

(Macatawa Bay, MI)-  The Macatawa Bay Yacht Club on Lake Michigan will be hosting the 2024 J/88 North American Championship for a fleet of eleven very competitive teams. The four-day regatta is taking place from September 25th to 29th on Macatawa Bay. 
Several perennial class leaders are participating including Lindsey Duda’s SIN DUDA, Ben Marden’s BANTER, John Leahey’s DUTCH, Andy  Graff’s EXILE, and Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION. All of those teams have won major J/88 events from Chicago to Long Island Sound and past J/88 North Americans! For more J/88 North American Championship sailing information

J/105 North Americans Preview

(Cleveland, OH)- This year’s J/105 North Americans are being hosted by Edgewater Yacht Club at their wonderful facilities on the waterfront of Cleveland on Lake Erie from September 24th to 29th. Just east of them is the famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; they recently experienced a ROLLING STONES concert tour this summer in the waterfront stadium (according to Bruce Stone’s team on ARBITRADE- “it was awesome”!).
The twenty-six teams attending have a large contingent of past J/105 champions from North Americans to Block Island Race Week to ROLEX Big Boat Series to Chicago SAILING WORLD Regattas! Those teams include Tim Russell’s NE*NE, Terry McLaughlin & Rod Wilmer’s MANDATE, Bill Zartler’s DEJA VOODOO, Jim Rathbun’s HEY JUDE, Bruce Stone & Nicole Breault’s ARBITRADE, Rich Stearn’s FIVE, and Clark Pellett’s SEALARK! For more J/105 North American Championship sailing information.

Southernmost Regatta @ Key West- Open for Registration!

(Key West, FL)- The SAILING INC. company in Cleveland, OH is once again hosting their popular and fun-loving Southernmost Regatta @ Key West this coming winter from January 20th to 25th, 2025 in Key West, FL. Based out of the Galleon Resort’s awesome Tiki Bar on the waterfront, you cannot imagine a more fun, laid-back place to host and run a regatta in the only Caribbean-like setting in the USA!
Invited is the J/111 Class for its 2025 J/111 North American Championship. Already, eight teams are entered including multiple J/111 North American Champion Peter Wagner’s SKELETON KEY. 
Also invited is the J/70 Class and any J/Teams wishing to sail an ORC handicap division! So far, a half-dozen J/70s have entered! And, in the ORC Division entered are the J/45 SPACEMAN SPIFF and the J/122 DIRE WOLF! For Southernmost Regatta registration information   For more Southernmost Regatta sailing information.

J/Puma Jam Zip Top- September 20% Off Special
(Newport, RI)- The J/Puma Jam Zip Top is your choice for 3-season’s sailing. Perfect for your cruising or competitive crew. Light wieght but comfortable when the breeze kicks in. Easily stored and layered under jacket or vest. Performance Puma throughout..
Material:

4.94 oz., 100% polyester
moisture-wicking

Features:

4-way stretch
ultra-lightweight
contrast covered reverse coil zipper
silicone Puma Cat logo on left sleeve

Perfect zip top when customized with your yacht name and sail number.
Choose your appropriate J/Class logo. Customize with your yacht detail as an option.  Order your J/Puma Jam zip top here:

 

About J/Boats
The story of J/Boats is a classic entrepreneurial tale. With a $20,000 investment and a speedy 24-foot sailboat that Rod Johnstone built in his garage, Rod and his brother Bob Johnstone went into business in 1977. The boat they built, the J/24, has become the most popular recreational offshore keelboat in the world. The Johnstone family has made an undeniable mark on the sailing world. In addition to the 5,500 J/24s cruising the waves, there are over 9,500 more J/Boats, ranging from the International J/22 to the J/65, that sailing enthusiasts have bought at prices ranging from $10,000 to $2,000,000.  Read more

You can read Bob Johnstone’s 2023 memoir, “MAVERICK MARKETER”, which Gary Jobson described as “A compelling, page-turner, with uplifting, fascinating stories.” The memoir includes background on how J/Boats got started and how many of its designs were created. It is available in ebook, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook formats on Amazon.

 

J/Teams Sweep Top Five- ORC C Division!

(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, the iconic San Francisco Bay, lived up to its reputation for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11th to 15th, 2024. 
The regatta attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to St. Francis Yacht Club. There was a strong turnout in the J/88 and J/105 one-design classes. And, a good turnout of J/Teams in the ORC divisions.
Breeze-on conditions brought out the best skills and tactics for podium winners.
Right on cue, San Francisco Bay rolled out the most demanding conditions for sailors at the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club. A steady 15-20 knots during the first race on Thursday continued to build through Sunday for pure thrills and some spills for the boats competing. Challenging windward-leeward courses allowed for ample tacking duels from the eastern end of the Bay to outside the Golden Gate Bridge, with plenty of opportunities to upset the leaderboard during the downwind to the finish line in front of spectators at St. Francis Yacht Club. Sailors got what they came for world-class racing in a world-class venue. As noted by Chris Perkins, the 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and eight-time winner— this is what the Rolex Big Boat Series is all about.
“We’re extremely excited about how this week’s went. The weather was tremendous, and we’ve had three great days with a very windy fourth and final day. I am glad they only had one race today!” he said. “Long courses and strong winds are what the event is all about and the clubhouse has been full of spectators watching the racing. It’s been a fantastic regatta and a success on many levels. One of the special things about the past 60 years of this event is that it’s attracted some famous yachts from all over the world.”
J/105 ClassIn the 30-strong J/105 class, considered by many to be the most competitive in America, Ryan Simmons and his long-standing crew on BLACKHAWK took home a Rolex Submariner timepiece to go with his sixth RBBS win and his fourth as skipper. 11-points behind was second place NE*NE, helmed by Tim Russell. Rolf Kaiser and Justin Oberbauer, owners of DONKEY JACK, took third.
“While there wasn’t really a defining moment, we did have really good starts and for the most part going the right direction which really worked for us,” said Simmons. “Conditions were exactly what you would expect for Big Boat Series— high teens to low twenties with ebb chop. While we may have won by a good margin, it has not taken away from the incredible competition in this fleet. On Thursday, we had an amazing photo finish with Randy Hecht and his team on NIUHI and a memorable gybing duel with Tim Russell on NE*NE on Friday. Racing was very tight and very fun. We’ve had a great regatta.”
J/88 ClassIn the J/88 class, Mark Howe’s SPLIT WATER took first, a solid five points ahead of Tom Thayer and Robert Milligan’s SPEEDWELL. The third went to Brice Dunwoodie’s RAVENETTE.
“The combination of shorter windward/leewards in the morning and the Bay tours in the afternoon requires every aspect of tactics, boat handling, sail handling, and, most importantly, endurance,” said Howe. “Crisis management has been key; no boat has been without incident, but keeping a cool head and staying focused is important to overcoming challenges. I’m very proud of my crew; they’ve worked hard with heartfelt enthusiasm and stayed flexible and focused even when things went sideways.”
He and his crew were dually awarded the Pacific Yacht Club Association’s Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy, which rewards not just the skipper, but the crew as well, for excellence on the water.
ORC A DivisionIn this fleet of nine boats, Peter Wagner’s team on the J/111 SKELETON KEY finished third, just one point away from taking the silver medal. Andrew Picel’s J/125 ARSENAL finished in 5th place and Nesrin Basoz’s J/111 SWIFT NESS took 6th place.
ORC C Division- J/Teams Sweep Top 5!In this eleven-boat fleet, Zach Berkowitz’s J/100 FEATHER won by a robust 13.5-point delta over BACHANNAL, a J/133 owned by Ron Epstein. Barry Lewis racing his J/120 CHANCE finished in third.
“I’m pleased with our result,” said Berkowitz. “I have put a fair amount of work into the boat this year. We cut the rudder off by four inches, we bought a new jib, put more rake in the mast, and added some weight to the boat. It all paid off and the boat is going fast.”
Berkowitz added, “The new MarkSet Bots that the event is using are fantastic. They are spot on, the starting line is great, there are no postponements— it’s revolutionizing race management!”
The balance of the top five included David Halliwill’s J/120 PEREGRINE and John Arens’s J/109 REVERIE in 4th and 5th, respectively. Camille Moussette’s J/99 LATENCY ended up in 7th place. For more ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information

(Rye, NY)- There is still time to register for the American Yacht Club Fall Regatta classic on Long Island Sound! You don’t want to miss one of the last big regattas of the 2024 sailing season in the northeastern seaboard!!

The AYC Fall Regatta is offering two racing formats:- Windward/Leeward Racing for the ORC and One-Design Classes- Coastal Racing for the PHRF Classes (including Doublehanded & Non-Spinnaker) and the ORC Classes.
As part of the AYC Fall Regatta, they will be hosting the J/109 East Coast Championships!Live music and the classic free food & drinks will be waiting for you when you step off the water! Plenty of story-telling and catching up for all on the picturesque American YC lawn with a view of the famous New York City skyscrapers in the distance off to the west.  Time to get busy and get your team ready for the AYC Fall Regatta- register here! 

(Dublin, Ireland)- The 2nd edition of the J/Cup Ireland took place last weekend at the Royal Irish Yacht Club. The regatta included two days of racing, daily prize-givings, and shore-side entertainment for all owners and crews. The event featured one-design classes for J/109s, J/24s, and J/80s, plus an IRC Division for handicap racing. 
J/109 ClassThe thirteen-boat fleet saw a battle royale develop amongst several of the class veterans for the top of the podium.  Emerging from the clouds of war to win by a single point was John Maybury’s JOKER 2 with a 3-1-4-BFD-2-4 for 14 pts net. Garnering the silver medal was Barry Cunningham’s CHIMEARA with a 5-6-7-2-1-1 tally for 15 pts net. Rounding out the podium was Rick & Tim Goodbody’s WHITE MISCHIEF with a 4-5-1-3-4-7 record for 17 pts net!
J/24 ClassThe eight-boat J/24 class was treated to a surprising, and shocking, complete “schooling” by Mikey Carroll’s KINSAILOR team! Posting four bullets and a deuce for their six-race scoreline for 6 pts net! Taking the silver medal was the quartet of Conor Haughton, Jonny Flood, Charles Heather, and Garrett Kinnane on their J/24 JUPITER with a 3-2.5-2-2-4-1 tally for 10.5 pts net. Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was David Bailey’s HARD ON PORT with a 5-2.5-4-3-3-3 scoreline for 15.5 pts net. 
J/80 ClassThe J/80 class enjoyed good participation by loyal J/80 sailors. Winning by a convincing margin was Pat O’Neill’s MOJO with a blistering record of 3-1-1-DSQ-1-1 for 7 pts net! Taking the silver was Austin Kenny’s RAM JAM with a 1-5-3-1-4-3 for 12 pts net. Then, taking the bronze medal was Owen Laverty’s RED CLOUD with a 2-3-5-4-3-2 tally for 14 pts net!
IRC DivisionEight boats enjoyed good IRC handicap racing around government marks. In the end, it was a surprising, shocking, clean sweep of the first five races by John & Suzie Murphy’s J/109 OUTRAGEOUS with a five-race score of 5 pts net! The balance of the podium ended up being a tough battle between four teams. In the end, it was Mike & Rick Evans’s J/99 SNAPSHOT that posted a 6-3-2-2-DNF-1 tally for 14 pts net to take the silver medal. Winning the bronze medal was Peter Dunlop’s J/122 MOJITO with a 3-5-6-4-2-2 scoreline for 16 pts net.  For more Northern Trust J/Cup Ireland regatta sailing information

(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- This weekend, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) will be hosting its annual Vice Admirals Cup regatta on the capricious Solent Water. With start/ finish lines using the Royal Yacht Squadron’s famous cannons on the waterfront, the fleet of Performance 40s, J/109s, and J/111s will be sent around a variety of the famous yellow ball-shaped marks all over the Solent going east to west. 

Performance 40 DivisionRacing in this fleet will be two of the protagonists who battled all summer long in the RORC’s Season Point Series. Those teams are Derek Shakespeare’s J/122 BULLDOG and Michael O’Donnell and his Irish team aboard the J/121 DARKWOOD. 
J/111 ClassAs the first J/111 fleet to be formed in 2010 around the world, the British teams on the Solent have enjoyed spirited one-design racing for 14 years! Many of the teams racing in this weekend’s Vice Admirals Cup regatta have been veterans of those years since the beginning! Those teams include Louise Makin & Chris Jones’s JOURNEYMAKER II, Tony Mack’s McFLY, and Cornel Riklin’s JITTERBUG. Joining them after sailing their J/109s and J/88s will be Paul Griffiths’s JAGERBOMB, Paul Lewis’s JOLENE, and Dirk van Beek’s SABRIEL!
J/109 ClassThough only three teams have signed up for the J/109 class, there will surely be hot, competition amongst the three veteran teams that have all won their share of events over time. Those teams include Chris Burleigh’s JYBE TALKIN, Neal Piper’s MOJO RISIN, and Stephen Davis’s JEROBOAM.   For more RORC Vice Admirals Cup sailing information.