World-class Competition for J/70 US National Championship

(Ft. Worth, TX)- From November 7th to 10th, the Fort Worth Boat Club on the gorgeous Eagle Mountain Lake in Ft. Worth, TX will be hosting the 2024 J/70 US National Championship. Currently, twenty-one teams will be participating on this shifty, puffy, challenging lake to the west of downtown Ft. Worth and Dallas.
Despite the small fleet, the level of competition is world-class. Top teams that should be at the top of the leaderboard include Jacko Franco’s 3 BALL JT, Chris Kostanecki’s DERECHO, Doug Rastello’s USA 608, Al Minella’s LEVEL 5, Bruce Golison’s MIDLIFE CRISIS, Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE, and John Sommi’s RELATIVE OBSCURITY (a World Champion crew of Jud Smith, Victor Diaz de Leon, & Willem Van Waay)!!
For J/70 US National Championship resultshttps://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=16334
For more Ft Worth Boat Club event informationhttps://www.fortworthboatclub.com/

Fun-loving Great Pumpkin Regatta

 
(Point Richmond, CA)- The Great Pumpkin Regatta is held every Halloween weekend by the Richmond Yacht Club in the northeastern part of San Francisco Bay. There’s course racing on Saturday with a big social event, band, and food & drinks on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday it was the “great pursuit race” that had over 100 boats participating.
J/24 ClassSaturday the J/24s had their one-design rcing. Winning was Darren Cumming’s DOWNTOWN UPROAR, followed by Robin Van Vliet’s LITTLE WING in second and Rosanne Scholl’s FLIGHT in third place.
PHRF E DivisionThe nine-boat fleet featured two J/70s. It was David Fried’s SON OF A SON that took the silver medal, while Courtney Clamp’s SANDPIPER took fourth place.
Sunday PHRF Pursuit RaceThis complete madness (or crapshoot) saw all kinds of crazy results. In the end, two J/24s faired best in the fleet of thirty J/teams. Brandon & Addison Mercer’s J/24 TENACIOUS CUTTLEFISH took 5th place while Jasper Van Vliet’s EVIL OCTOPUS took 10th. Andrew Picel’s J/125 ARSENAL was easily the top “big boat” in the race.
For more Great Pumpkin Regatta sailing informationhttp://www.richmondyc.org

Hamble Winter Series Reports

(Hamble, So’ton, England)- The 43rd running of the Hamble Winter Series started with two completely contrasting days of weather. Saturday, day one of the Hamble One-Design Championships, had glorious sunshine and a steady breeze. But, when the PRO Peter Bateson announced “We have passed the wind test” on Sunday morning everything was grey and dank. So grey was it on Sunday, that a couple of J/70 competitors said they had trouble spotting the black tetrahedron marks at the top of the course!!
A healthy fleet of twenty J/70s had entered for what was one of their “Grand Slam” series events and nineteen made it to the start line. Alex Smallwood in RTYC2 had the best of day one taking two first places and a ninth to lead with 11 points. David McLeman in OFFBEAT was second on 12 points, with John Cooper’s JOOPED in third with 14 points.
Paul Griffiths in the J/111 JAGERBOMB had a perfect three bullets on Saturday, leaving them in what looked like an almost unassailable position. Louise Makin and Chris Jones’s JOURNEYMAKER II was lying in second with JOLENE (Jolene Racing Syndicate) in third.
On Sunday, the weather, referred to by Peter Bateson as “occasional drizzle”, wasn’t the only distraction on the Solent. It was “crowded territory,” said Peter with “Royal Southampton Winter Series, Warsash SC Lasers, R Srn YC Cruiser Race, RYS Performance 40s, and RTYC Arrow trophy” as well as the Hamble Winter Series event. Ian Bullock encouraged his race team to “go out and get our towel down early.” So, by 10:00 am Rupert Wolloshin, in Marks 2, announced the CV Artemis was at N 50 49.224 W 001 16.895 (between Cutter and Fumesy to the rest of us) and Gordon McLean on Marks 1 confirmed 6 kts from 135 degrees.
Now, whether it was the change in weather or the crowded Solent, some of the nailed-on winners from day one faired less well on day two of the Hamble One Design Champs.
In the J/70s, Patrick Liardet’s COSMIC, who was languishing on 31 points after day one, scored a 1-2-1 on Sunday to end with a winning 16 points. Patrick was the happiest face at the One Sails prize-giving. RTYC2 slipped to third and Doug Struth’s DSP discarded a last race 11th to secure second.
In the J/111s JAGERBOMB’s serene progress was halted when JOURNEYMAKER II scored three bullets on Sunday. They were also not helped by a DNC in the first race, though, they were able to discard this. In the end, though both boats had an identical score and an identical number of 1st and 2nds! But, JOURNEYMAKER II had the last three 1st places to sneak home. Don’t you just love countbacks!! JOLENE was third.
The IRC fleet managed to squeeze in their start line at Royal Southern buoy and proceeded to race off the Hill Head and Lee on the Solent shoreline. Race one was a windward/leeward course with two rounds in each. The final race was around the cans, 10 miles for IRC 2 and 8.5 miles for IRC 3 respectively. There was a good mix of beats, runs, and reaches with frequent wind shifts and the tide on the turn giving plenty of tactical options. The last leg went downwind to finish at Darling Buoy.
Weekend 2Race Week 2 of the Hamble Winter Series was comprised of two days of racing for the Hamble IRC Autumn Championship, sponsored by Key Yachting. Early weather forecasts showed that once again we may have a weekend of two halves. As it turned out it was a weekend of one half. Sunday’s weather had looked light from a couple of days out and series photographer, Paul Wyeth, got in touch on Friday to ask if we wanted pictures in the rain with wind on Saturday or pictures in sunshine with no wind on Sunday. Clearly, he would have preferred Sunday, but when Saturday was not too wet and the sun crept through the clouds, he went out and got some dramatic shots.
The Race Team gathered in HRSC at 0745 on Sunday morning and studied all of the available forecasts several times. There were little pockets of wind on the edges of the Solent but nothing in the middle. PRO Peter Bateson took the difficult decision to cancel racing for the day. His WhatsApp message read “The forecast has not improved and with a very light breeze matched with a 180-degree change in direction, there seems no point in going out in hope.” At 10.26 Paul Wyeth messaged from the island “Good call today, looks like a mirror glass-out!” Of course, not everyone was happy, especially those who had paid to go in the water at HYS.
On Saturday things went to plan with three races completed. The CV, WetWheels, set up near Royal Southern Buoy in 7-8 knots of breeze, with a course axis of 185, for Race 1 a windward /leeward with course lengths IRC 1, 5.0 miles: IRC 2, 4.6 miles, and IRC 3, 4.2 miles. The PRO Peter Bateson gave the fleet another 2-lap windward/leeward for Race 2 and around the cans special for Race 3.
J/70 One-design ChampionshipAfter 10 races, John Cooper’s JOOPED is leading with 22 pts net after two discard races. Second is Harry Edwards’s JOSKIN with 32 pts, and sitting on the bronze step of the podium is Isabelle Hung’s XV STRIPES.
J/111 One-design ChampionshipLeading the J/111 class was the Makin/ Jones duo on JOURNEYMAKER III with 9 pts net. Second is Griffiths’s JAGERBOMB with 13 pts net. And, rounding out the podium is JOENE with 22 pts.
HWS IRC 2 DivisionLeading this large fourteen-boat fleet are two J/109s. Mike & Susie Yates’s JAGO has 3 pts, followed by Rob Cotterill’s MOJO RISIN with 4 pts. Chris Burleigh’s JYBE TALKIN is currently in fifth place with 12 pts.
Autumn Regatta IRC 2 DivisionThis sixteen-boat fleet has ten J/Teams participating. Currently in third is David Richards’s JUMPING JELLYFISH. Fourth is Kevin Taylor’s J/99 JUMP 2 IT.
Thanks for the contributions from Trevor Pountain
For more Hamble Winter Series sailing informationhttps://www.hamblewinterseries.com/

J/Newsletter- October 30th, 2024

As autumn breezes settle in, we’re bringing you stories in J/Newsletter of amazing competition and camaraderie worldwide amongst J/sailors. This issue highlights thrilling wins, from the newly crowned J/22 World Champions on the Chesapeake Bay to the nail-biting races of the Hamble Winter Series sailed on the Solent in the southern United Kingdom. In Annapolis, Travis Odenbach and his HONEYBADGER crew clinched their second world title in just three weeks—a truly remarkable and impressive feat! Meanwhile, San Diego Yacht Club has celebrated a noteworthy four-peat victory in the Lipton Cup, leaving competitors stunned and in awe.
Whether you’re joining the festivities of the Great Pumpkin Regatta on northern San Francisco Bay, or gearing up for world-class championships in Texas and France, there’s a race for everyone. Grab your coffee or warm cider & rum, and get ready to set sail through the latest updates from the sailing community. Enjoy the ride!

HONEYBADGER Crowned J/22 World Champion!
(Annapolis, MD)- “Mr. October” may be a name known for Major League Baseball’s World Series, but Travis Odenbach’s HONEYBADGER has earned the name this year for sailing. Only three weeks after winning the J/24 World Championship, Odenbach won the 2024 J/22 World Championship hosted by Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, Maryland. With crew Geoff Becker and Justin Damore, the Rochester, NY team outlasted 48 teams representing 15 states and four countries. 
Read more here.

Hamble Winter Series Reports

(Hamble, So’ton, England)- The 43rd running of the Hamble Winter Series started with two completely contrasting days of weather. Saturday, day one of the Hamble One-Design Championships, had glorious sunshine and a steady breeze. But, when the PRO Peter Bateson announced “We have passed the wind test” on Sunday morning everything was grey and dank. So grey was it on Sunday, that a couple of J/70 competitors said they had trouble spotting the black tetrahedron marks at the top of the course!! Read more here.

San Diego YC 4-Peats J/105 Lipton Cup Regatta!!
 (San Diego, CA)- San Diego Yacht Club has won the 2024 Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Challenge for the fourth consecutive year. San Diego YC’s Jake La Dow’s strong start established an early lead, leaving New York Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club vying for the remainder of the podium over the next two days. But, it was ultimately to no avail, as San Diego YC held onto first place.  Read more here.

NRV Seniors Win J/70 DSL Pokal Cup
(Hamburg, Germany)- The end-of-season finale for the J/70 Deutsche Segel-Bundesliga has been the Pokal Cup invitational regatta. This year, twenty-seven teams from all over Germany attended the fun event in Hamburg, Germany with sailing taking place on the gorgeous Alster Lake. Over the two-day regatta, all teams sailed a total of nine of the fast-paced short-course races.   Read more here.

Fun-loving Great Pumpkin Regatta

(Point Richmond, CA)- The Great Pumpkin Regatta is held every Halloween weekend by the Richmond Yacht Club in the northeastern part of San Francisco Bay. There’s course racing on Saturday with a big social event, band, and food & drinks on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday it was the “great pursuit race” that had over 100 boats participating. Read more here.

 

Upcoming Events

 

World-class Competition for J/70 US National Championship

(Ft. Worth, TX)- From November 7th to 10th, the Fort Worth Boat Club on the gorgeous Eagle Mountain Lake in Ft. Worth, TX will be hosting the 2024 J/70 US National Championship. Currently, twenty-one teams will be participating on this shifty, puffy, challenging lake to the west of downtown Ft. Worth and Dallas.
Read more here.

French J/80 Nationals Preview

(Saint-Cast, France)- From November 8th to 10th, the Club Nautique de Saint-Cast will be hosting the French J/80 National Championship. The entire team at the Saint-Cast Nautical Center is dedicated to making this event an unforgettable experience, both in terms of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Saint-Cast Le Guildo is a renowned resort on the Emerald Coast, boasting a stunning body of water and excellent port facilities. Notably, this club was a pioneer of the J/80 class in France and has a fleet of J/80s that frequently participates in events. The CN Saint-Cast is recognized for its expertise in organizing J/80 competitions. Read more here.

J/Gear Holiday Specials
(Newport, RI)- There are multiple awesome items available for the 2024 J/Gear Holiday Special! Here is the list for you to consider:- J/Extreme 1/2 Zip- J/Typhoon Jacket- J/Flexfit cap- J/Reach Polo- J/Puma Performance Ziptop- J/Embroidered T-shirt- J/Cotton Polo shirt
The J/Class logo is embroidered and you may customize it for the whole crew. Browse and order here:

Challenging Rolex Middle Sea Race

Challenging Rolex Middle Sea Race

(Gzira, Malta)- This past week, the Royal Malta Yacht Club hosted its renowned Rolex Middlesea Race. Many consider it a must-do “bucket list” race due to the immense challenges it presents and the breathtaking, picturesque islands along the route.
The race begins and ends in Malta, with participants circumnavigating the stunning volcanic island of Sicily, Italy. Covering a distance of 606 nautical miles, the journey starts from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, beneath Fort St. Angelo and the impressive medieval Saluting Battery. The fleet then heads northeast along the Sicilian coast, aiming for the Straits of Messina, where you can often catch a glimpse of Mount Etna, sometimes audible with its rumbling eruptions—it’s always “smoking,” that’s for sure!
From the Straits, the course continues north toward Stromboli, another active volcano. The yachts then turn west towards the Egadi Islands. After reaching Favignana, the fleet sails south towards Lampedusa, with Pantelleria on their port side. Once they pass Lampedusa, the fleet is on the home stretch back to Malta, culminating at Marsamxett Harbour.
Amongst this year’s 94 entries were a half-dozen J/Teams spread over three divisions. Here is how the top J/Teams faired in this year’s race.
ORC/ IRC 4 Division- 14 boatsSailing in a very tough fleet was Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 JACKKNIFE. In the past, J/125s have proven incredibly difficult to beat given the right wind and sea conditions. J/125s have won the Rolex Middle Sea Race twice before overall! Not this year. JACKKNIFE managed to put in a strong enough performance to earn the bronze medal!
ORC/ IRC 5 Division- 20 boatsThis fleet had three J/crews participating, all with abundant offshore experience and good track records. However, two dropped out after encountering massive squalls on the first night offshore. In the end, Peter Lezhnin’s J/112E JEDI crew from Australia persevered to take fourth place in the ORC 5 Division.
ORC/ IRC 6 Division- 18 boatsAs the smallest boats racing for 606.0nm, it’s a tough “ask” for these small crews to keep up the pace 24×7 for over five days! Nevertheless, the intrepid young crews on the two J/109s were up to the task and sailed remarkably well! Supported and sponsored by the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation in Malta, Claudio Bugeja’s JYS JAN took the silver medal in the ORC 6 Division! Then, JYC JAN to 4th in IRC 6 Division, while stablemate Gary Mercieca’s JARHEAD finished just behind in fifth place! Not bad for a bunch of junior sailors from Malta! Congratulations on their herculean effort in their Odeyssian adventure!
For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing informationhttps://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/

J/Teams Prevail In Stratford Shoal Gearbuster Race

J/111 FIREBALL Wins PHRF Overall and Division!

(Greenwich, CT)- Last Columbus Day weekend was the infamous “Gearbuster Race” run annually every fall by Indian Harbor YC. It’s a long day race around various government buoys in western Long Island Sound. It’s a popular event as the “grand finale” of fall sailing on the Sound. It is quite popular with J/sailors. There were 25 J/Teams sailing (50% of the 51-boat fleet!). Lots of silverware was garnered by the various J/Teams! Here is how it all went down by division.
PHRF Doublehanded DivisionIn this fleet of half-dozen boats, the J/teamms nearly swept the podium. Winning was Christian Uecker’s J/120 HOUND DOG, with Thomas Sa’s J/33 GUN DOG in second place, and the two other J/120s rounding out the top five- Sara & Josh Reisberg’s ABILYN in fourth and Richard Wests’s CHARLOTTE in fifth position. 
PHRF A Division. (

Empowered Women Empowering Women- The Red Bra Regatta!

(San Francisco, CA)- Recently, the South Beach Yacht Club on the southern part of San Francisco Bay hosted its annual Red Bra Regatta. The event was all about fun and supporting other women. Specifically, the regatta supported “Girls United” for the sixth year this September! 

Girls United is an amazing organization that organizes clubs and student-led advocacy for girls in Kenya, as well as training female teachers to be role models for these girls. 
United Girls for KenyaRun out of Flying Kites Academies, Girls United empowers young women in many ways, including skill-building workshops as well as providing access to information on important topics like reproductive health. The aims of Girls United are clearly aligned with those of the Red Bra Regatta and its motto- “Empowered Women Empowering Women.”
This year, we ask that you give any amount that feels meaningful to you- no amount is too small. If you want to further increase your impact, you can share this on your page. Let’s keep empowering each other!  Please consider a donation here
Many passionate women J/sailors participated in the event and while having fun they also managed to win some silverware! 
PHRF F Divsion- Spin

J/Newsletter- October 23rd, 2024

With autumn in full swing, the world of sailing is bringing some incredible action to waters around the globe. From the picturesque Chesapeake Bay to the iconic coastlines of Sicily in the Mediterranean, and the lively offshore courses of Hong Kong in the South China Sea, this past week has showcased both fierce competition and stunning seascapes.
In this week’s issue, we’re diving into the latest updates from renowned regattas, such as the J/22 World Championship in Annapolis and the Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta, where crews are challenged by fierce competition and awe-inspiring views of “live” volcanoes!
We’ll highlight exciting events like the German J/70 Sailing League Finale on Lake Starnberg and the ever-popular J/105 Lipton Cup Regatta in San Diego. Plus, we’ll give you a glimpse of what’s coming up, including the J/Fest Southwest Regatta in Houston, TX, and the French J/80 Nationals off their beautiful “Emerald Coast,” where sailors worldwide are preparing to make waves.
So, grab your Mt. Gay rum & tonic (or Gin Sul & tonic) and settle in for the latest updates from our sailing community!

Fall Boat Shows Calendar!
(Newport, RI)- It’s time to dream about the future! Here is the fall boat show highlight for you to consider.
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.
EUROPE
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

J/22 World Championship Update
(Annapolis, MD)- From October 21st to 27th, forty-eight teams from around the world have been sailing the 2024 J/22 World Championship, hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. Currently, leading the regatta is Travis Odenbach’s HONEYBADGER (current J/24 World Champion as well!). The teams have been treated to two gorgeous days of fall sailing on Chesapeake Bay, with six races completed. Here are the first three days’ reports. Read more here.

Challenging Rolex Middle Sea Race   

(Gzira, Malta)- This past week, the Royal Malta Yacht Club hosted its renowned Rolex Middlesea Race. Many consider it a must-do “bucket list” race due to the immense challenges it presents and the breathtaking, picturesque islands along the route. The race begins and ends in Malta, with participants circumnavigating the stunning volcanic island of Sicily, Italy. Covering a distance of 606 nautical miles, the journey starts from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, beneath Fort St. Angelo and the impressive medieval Saluting Battery. The fleet then heads northeast along the Sicilian coast, aiming for the Straits of Messina, where you can often catch a glimpse of Mount Etna, sometimes audible with its rumbling eruptions—it’s always “smoking,” that’s for sure! Read more here.

American ROWDY Eclipses Italian J/70 Cup Series!  

(Lerici, Italy)- For the first time in the ten-plus years the Italian J/70 Class has been running their famous Italy J/70 Cup Series, a “foreigner” from Chicago Yacht Club won the 26-race series over five regattas in the 2024 summer season! The series featured 130 entries in the Open Division and 67 entries in the Corinthian Division. In the end, it was Rich Witzel’s ROWDY team (Carlos Robles, Mortiz Spitzauer, & Tomas Dietrich) that won the series by a massive 34 pts margin, ending up at 66 pts net! Read more here.

BANGOR PACKET Dominates J/24 East Coast Championship!

(Annapolis, MD)- In the 47th year of the J/24 East Coast Championship at Severn Sailing Association, twenty teams from the northeastern seaboard of the USA gathered to compete in this fall classic on the Chesapeake Bay. Following a six-race series, with one race allowed to be discarded, a long-time J/24 class veteran from Portland, Maine—now residing in Georgetown, MD—emerged victorious by a significant margin of 12 points. Read more here.

Northerners Duel for German J/70 Sailing League Finale! 

(Hamburg, Germany)- As the finale of the German J/70 Sailing League Series championship approached, only three points separated the top two teams from northern Germany: the past winners, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV), and the Mühlenberger Sailing Club (MSC). The racing on Lake Starnberg was set to be intense and competitive, featuring skilled skippers. NRV had Olympic participant and former 470 world champion Luise Wanser making her debut, while MSC was depending on the experienced Magnus Simon at the helm. A total of eighteen teams were competing throughout the three-day regatta. Read more here.

 

Upcoming Events

 

J/105 Lipton Cup Regatta Update

(San Diego, CA)- The San Diego Yacht Club is hosting its annual Lipton Cup Trophy regatta sailing a fleet of matched J/105s supplied by their generous owners. Here is the first day’s regatta report. 
Day one of racing had out-of-towners wondering about the thick spooky marine layer that not very many people think of when they hear about sunny San Diego and the perfect year-round sailing conditions. Read more here.

14th J/Fest Southwest Preview

(Seabrook, TX)- The J/Fest Southwest Regatta is celebrating its 14th Anniversary and is becoming a popular tradition among the J/Boat owners throughout the southwestern region with over 70 J/Boats and avid J/Boat competitors from around the country.
Hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club from November 1st to 3rd, the regatta will feature one-design classes of J/22s, J/24s, J/105s, and ORC handicap divisions. Read more here. 

J/70 US National Championship Preview

(Ft. Worth, TX)- From November 7th to 10th, the Fort Worth Boat Club on the gorgeous Eagle Mountain Lake in Ft. Worth, TX will be hosting the 2024 J/70 US National Championship. Currently, twenty-one teams will be participating on this shifty, puffy, challenging lake to the west of downtown Ft. Worth and Dallas. Read more here. 

French J/80 Nationals Preview

(Saint-Cast, France)- From November 8th to 10th, the Club Nautique de Saint-Cast will be hosting the French J/80 National Championship. The entire team at the Saint-Cast Nautical Center is dedicated to making this event an unforgettable experience, both in terms of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Saint-Cast Le Guildo is a renowned resort on the Emerald Coast, boasting a stunning body of water and excellent port facilities. Notably, this club was a pioneer of the J/80 class in France and has a fleet of J/80s that frequently participates in events. The CN Saint-Cast is recognized for its expertise in organizing J/80 competitions. Read more here.

Hong Kong Round The Island Race Preview

(Hong Kong, China)- The annual Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Around the Island Race will take place on Saturday, October 26th. This event is one of the largest inshore races in Hong Kong, covering a distance of 26.0 nautical miles around Hong Kong Island. More than 200 boats are expected to participate, with over 1,500 competitors from various yacht, sailing, and rowing clubs across the region. The race features a significant J/80 one-design class, along with several J-class boats competing in the IRC handicap classes. Read more here.

J/Soft Shell Vest- October 20% Off Special
(Newport, RI)- The J/Soft Shell Vest introduces new performance features welcomed under diverse sailing conditions. The soft shell offers warmth from bonded layers of microfiber and spandex for ease of movement while protecting from windy, rainy, and chilly conditions.
Features:- 1000 mm waterproof rating- 96% polyester, 4% spandex bonded to 100% polyester micro-fleece- Wind and water-resistant – Interior storm flap with chin guard- Open hem with dropped back bottom.
The J/Class logo is embroidered and you may customize it for the whole crew. Customize with your yacht detail as an option.  Order your J/Soft Shell vest 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.

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“J/Fest” Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Dominated By J/Teams!

“J/Fest” Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Dominated By J/Teams!

(Larchmont,  NY)- This past weekend, from October 12th to 13th, the de-facto “J/Fest” Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) took place at Larchmont Yacht Club, co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club. The event saw 42 schools from 19 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces come together for a unique offshore sailing experience, designed to give collegiate sailors a new challenge beyond their typical college sailing experiences.
This year’s regatta featured 30 J/Boats owners generously contributing their boats- 71.0% of the 42-boat fleet! J/Boat owners have been enthusiastic participants in this event as they support their alma maters from across the USA. It’s quite extraordinary to see J/Teams supported from California to Maine and Minnesota to Texas!
In the end, J/105s ruled! The Webb Institute J/105-mod SLEEPER and College of Charleston’s J/105 KESTREL teams took top honors!
Saturday delivered perfect conditions for the sailors, with sunny skies and a steady breeze of 8-12 knots, ideal for racing. All classes completed four windward-leeward races over a 5-nautical mile course, making the most of the favorable weather. Sunday started with overcast skies, but the clouds soon parted, allowing for an early start and two additional races to round out the weekend. The sailors enjoyed solid competition across both days, thanks to the great weather and race management.
The prestigious Paul Hoffman Trophy, awarded to the overall winner with the highest winning percentage, went to Webb Institute’s modified J/105 SLEEPER, skippered by Rayne Duff. Duff credited their victory to “consistently good starts, a team that works great together, and a fun-focused attitude were the most important things this weekend.” Webb Institute, known for its strong offshore program, delivered a stellar performance throughout the event, not losing a single race.
The IOR is a monumental undertaking, relying on the generous donation of boats and time from owners and club members who offer college sailors a unique opportunity to experience offshore racing. While some schools, like Webb, have dedicated offshore teams, many of the participating schools only sail keelboats once a year, with a primary focus on dinghy sailing. Despite this, teams traveled from as far as Texas A&M in Galveston, the University of Wisconsin, and Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia to compete in this annual event.
Yet despite the logistics, the event continues to grow, and organizers were thrilled to welcome new schools this year: Clemson University, Middlebury College, Olin College of Engineering, Rutgers University, Texas A&M, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
The Puff Trophy, awarded to the team with the second-highest winning percentage, went to the College of Charleston Cougars for their outstanding performance in the J/105 KESTREL, owned by CofC alum Chuck McCarthy. Skipper Luke Tougas reflected on the weekend, sharing, “Larchmont IOR is an event that we look forward to every year because of the many opportunities it provides. This event came down to how bad we wanted it.” Tougas credited the team’s success to crew work and teamwork, explaining, “It’s easy to drive the boat in the right direction, but it’s not easy to keep the sails in the perfect spots at all times.” He also expressed gratitude to the McCarthy family for providing the team with a J/105 and thanked their safety officer, Ned Goss, for keeping the team motivated with his mantra, “Firetrucks don’t stop at red lights!”
PHRF Large DivisionFive J/Teams were participating in this eight-boat division. The top dog amongst J/crews was the US Navy’s J/44 MAXINE posting four 1sts and a deuce, but did not win. An arbitrary penalty was leveled on them for 10/ABD… whatever that means. As a result, they took the silver medal. The next two teams also suffered a similar fate. Fourth went to Univ. of Maryland’s J/124 TENEBRAE and fifth place went to Mass Maritime’s J/122 DIRE WOLF.
PHRF Medium DivisionThis eight-boat fleet saw two J/Teams on the starting line. Northeastern University’s J/112E REBELLE  sailed a solid series to take the bronze medal.  
PHRF Small DivisionThis half-dozen boat fleet was predominated by J/crews sweeping the top three spots on the podium! Winning was Webb Institute’s J/105-mod SLEEPER, followed by Univ. Vermont’s J/88 ONE TOO MANY in second place, and Syracuse Univ.’s J/99 THIN MAN in third position. 
J/109 ClassFive teams were sailing this one-design class. The regatta turned into a “mano-a-mano” duel between two very well-sailed teams. In the end, it was Brown Univ.’s NORDLYS that won with 11 pts, followed by Univ. Wisconsin’s TBD with 12 pts. Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Embry-Riddle College’s AVIATO with 19 pts. 
J/105 ClassThe largest fleet in the event, the twelve-boat fleet included many talented teams that are accustomed to J/105s and are experienced sailing them in their local waters. Not surprisingly, it was the College of Charleston’s KESTREL team that took top honors with a blistering scoreline of five 1sts and a deuce for 7 pts total! Sitting 5 pts back to take the silver was another experienced J/105 team from Princeton Univ. sailing MAGIC. Their record was an enviable 3-2-1-2-2-2 for 12 pts. Rounding out the podium for the bronze medal was Olin College’s SYNERGY with a 23 pts total. 
A highlight of the regatta was the camaraderie, both on and off the water. The regatta hosted a lively social under the tent on Saturday, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Larchmont Yacht Club, creating an unforgettable experience for the participants.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the support of the Storm Trysail Foundation and the generous support from its partners who believe in the mission: ShopRite of Carteret, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Helly Hansen, Risk Strategies-Gowrie Group, Harken Derm, Carlsberg (Sheehan Co), McMichael Yacht Yards and Brokers, UK Sailmakers Northeast, Dimension-Polyant, and Gifted of Larchmont.
The IOR came to a close on Sunday with all smiles as teams were already looking ahead to future events and asking when 2025 sign-ups will open. As the world’s largest intercollegiate sailing regatta, the 2024 IOR solidified its place as a “must-attend” regatta, offering college sailors an invaluable opportunity to sharpen their offshore racing skills and build lasting connections.
Sailing Photos Credits- Steve Cloutier/ @BlockIslandSteve on Instagram. 
Are any college teams interested in 2025? Fill out this form here.
For more STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta sailing resultsFor more STC Intercollegiate Regatta sailing information

Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

(Gzira, Malta)- For most racers, the Rolex Middle Sea Race needs little introduction. Hosted by Royal Malta Yacht Club the race starts and ends in Malta, with an offshore race that makes a circumnavigation around the spectacular volcanic island of Sicily, Italy. The 606.0nm journey starts from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, beneath Fort St Angelo and the Saluting Battery, then the fleet heads northeast along the coast of Sicily, towards the Straits of Messina. You can usually spot Mount Etna and hear the Volcano rumble, or so they say.

The course heads north from the Straits in the direction of Stromboli, another active volcano, where the yachts then turn west to the Egadi Islands. After reaching Favignana the fleet heads south towards the island of Lampedusa with the island of Pantelleria on their port side. Once they have passed Lampedusa the fleet is on the home straight towards Malta and the finish at Marsamxett Harbour. 
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a challenge for both skippers and crews. Everyone has to be on their A-Game to cope with the demanding and often changeable conditions on the 606.0nm course.
Amongst this year’s 94 entries are a half-dozen J/Teams spread over three divisions. 
ORC/ IRC 4 Division- 14 boatsSailing this tough fleet will be Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 JACK KNIFE. In the past, J/125s have proven incredibly difficult to beat given the right wind and sea conditions. J/125 has won the Rolex Middle Sea Race twice before overall!
ORC/ IRC 5 Division- 20 boatsThis fleet has three J/crews participating and all have abundant offshore experience and good track records. There are two J/112Es- Hort Huelsey’s BEFREE OPENPAYD from Malta (local offshore hotshots) and Peter Lezhnin’s JEDI crew from Australia. Joining them is Mark Wilson’s J/122 NOISY OYSTER, a proven winner on the Mediterranean offshore circuit. 
ORC/ IRC 6 Division- 18 boatsAs the smallest boats racing for 606.0nm, it’s a tough “ask” for these small crews to keep up the pace 24×7 for over three days! Nevertheless, the intrepid young crews on the two J/109s are up to the task and have sailed remarkably well! Supported and sponsored by the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation in Malta, those two teams include Gary Mercieca’s JARHEAD and Claudio Bugeja’s JYS JAN. For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing information