Month: August 2025

It’s an exciting time to be part of the J/Boats community! As summer turns to fall, the season is only picking up speed, with new designs debuting and J/Teams excelling in races worldwide. 
From Newport to La Rochelle, Annapolis to Düsseldorf, J/Boats will be front and center at the world’s premier boat shows. The spotlight is on the dazzling new J/7 daysailer, the refined J/9, and the highly anticipated offshore duo— the all-new J/36 with twin wheels and the powerful J/40 performance cruiser. These boats are not just evolutions; they’re bold new statements in design, built to deliver the joy of sailing for every kind of sailor.
On the racing front, the J/Spirit is alive and thriving. From dramatic duels at the J/109 North Americans in Chicago to the thundering J/70s at the Verve Cup, J/Teams are proving once again why our one-design and offshore fleets are among the most competitive and enduring in the sport. The excitement only builds from here, with the J/70 Europeans in Sweden, the Corinthian J/70 Worlds in Marblehead, the J/24 Nationals in San Diego, and the J/24 Worlds in Plymouth— each event a showcase of talent, teamwork, and passion. Offshore, the legendary Vineyard Race promises another epic chapter as J/Crews take on its challenging 238-mile course steeped in tradition over this Labor Day holiday weekend.
Whether you’re discovering the latest designs at a show, trimming sails in a championship fleet, or setting off on a classic offshore course, one thing is clear: J/Sailors everywhere are writing the next great chapter of our story. We can’t wait to share it with you— and we’ll see you on the water!

Newport Boat Show- J/7, J/9, NEW J/36, and J/40 on Display

(Newport, RI)- Mark your calendars now! It’s that time of year to catch up with friends and discuss the current line-up of J/Boats at the Newport International Boat Show. The event runs from Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14. 
On display will be the daysailer sisterships- the J/7 and the J/9. In addition, the HOT new offshore cruiser-racers will be on display- the NEW J/36 with twin-wheels and the J/40.  Read more here.

Grand Pavois Boat Show- NEW J/7, J/99, NEW J/36, and J/40 on Display

(La Rochelle, France)- The Grand Pavois La Rochelle Boat Show will be taking place from September 23rd to 28th at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle, France. As in past years, over 750 boats are on display and at least 80,000 visitors are expected to attend the six-day show, one of the most popular in Europe due to the wonderful fall weather often experienced at this time of year. 
Be sure to explore the new J/7 daysailer, it’s the European introduction of this extremely popular little daysailer! Then, enjoy the race-winning potential of our new line of offshore racer-cruisers- the J/99, the new J/36 (a J/112E with a new deck and twin-wheel cockpit), and the J/40.  For more Grand Pavois La Rochelle Boat Show information.

Annapolis Sailboat Show- J/7, J/9, NEW J/36, and J/40 on Display

(Annapolis, MD)- The 2025 edition of the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, will run from October 9th to 12th. J/Boats is excited to feature one of its largest displays in years, showcasing our latest designs with four boats on display.
All J/Sailors and J/Lovers are invited to join us on the J/Stand in Annapolis, where we will be displaying the new J/7 daysailer, the J/9 daysailer, the new J/36 performance cruiser/racer (pictured above), and the magnificent J/40 offshore performance cruising yacht. For more Annapolis Sailboat Show information

BOOT Düsseldorf- NEW J/7, J/99, NEW J/36, and J/40 on Display
(Düsseldorf, Germany)- The world-famous BOOT Düsseldorf Boat Show is taking place from January 17th to 25th, 2026, in Düsseldorf, Germany, at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center along the gorgeous Rhine River.
With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Düsseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the debut of the new J/7 daysailer, the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the new J/36 twin-wheeled racer-cruiser, and the magnificent J/40 performance cruising yacht!  For more BOOT Düsseldorf 2026 boat show information

DAYBREAK Crowned 2025 J/109 North American Champions!
(Chicago, IL)- The Chicago Yacht Club played host to the 2025 J/109 North American Championship for a fleet of nine  J/109s from across the Midwest, West, and East Coasts. The fleet was treated to a magnificent three days of sailing on the often boisterous Lake Michigan waters off the spectacular Chicago city lakefront. 
The Chicago YC RC and PRO team managed to run eight races over the three days. The racing produced a very challenging experience for the top three teams, all of them enjoying an exasperating game of “chutes & ladders” as their fortunes and misfortunes waxed and waned every race. Read more here.

STAMPEDE’s Thundering Hooves Romp @ Verve Cup J/70 Regatta

(Chicago, IL)- The end-of-summer sailing season extravaganza off the famous Chicago lakefront, the Verve Cup Inshore Regatta, took place last weekend on Lake Michigan. Blessed with unusually gorgeous weather, the fleet of thirteen J/70 one-designs enjoyed great racing and a total of eight races on the choppy waters.
Perhaps making Chicago his new summer home, Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE team from Fort Worth Boat Club in Fort Worth, TX, sailed “lights-out” all three days of the event, posting four bullets, three deuces, and a DNS (not having to sail the last race) for a total of 24 pts to handily win the regatta! Sailing with Bruno was an all-star cast that included Ron Weed and Greiner Hobbs. Read more here.

J/70 European Championship Preview

(Sandhamn, Sweden)- From August 26th to 30th, the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) will be hosting the J/70 European Championship at their large “summer camp” in Sandhamn, Sweden for a fleet of sixty-four boats from seventeen nations (AUS, BRA, DEN, ESP, FIN, FRA, GBR, GER, IRL, ITA, MON, NOR, POR, SUI, SWE, TUR, USA). Given that the sun almost never sets in Scandinavia in the summer months, it should be a given that the very experienced and capable KSSS RC/ PRO team will be able to complete the ten races planned for the event.. Read more here.

J/70 Corinthian World Championship Preview

(Marblehead, MA)- From September 22nd to 28th, 2025, the magnificent Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA, will be hosting the J/70 Corinthian World Championship for a fleet of thirty-seven teams from seven nations (BER, BRA, CAN, CHINA, ITA, MEX, & USA). Read more here.

J/24 USA Corinthian Nationals Preview

(San Diego, CA)- From September 3rd to 7th, 2025, the Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego, CA, will play host to the 2025 J/24 USA Corinthian National Championship. So far, twelve teams have registered to compete for the Corinthian National Title. The event is being attended by a predominantly Southern California fleet of boats. Read more here.

J/24 Worlds Championship Preview

(Plymouth, England)- This coming September 6th to 14th, 2025, the Plymouth Yacht Club in Plymouth- Great Britain’s Ocean City- is to host the 45th edition of the J/24 World Championship in 2025. The Club will play host to fifty-one teams from eleven nations (ARG, AUS, FRA, GBR, HUN, IRL, ITA, JPN, NED, SWE, & USA). Event co-director Sam Marshall said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been given the privilege and honor of hosting the 2025 World Championship.” Read more here.

The Vineyard Race 2025 Preview

(Stamford, CT)- Stamford Yacht Club is the proud sponsor and host of the Vineyard Race. This classic yachting event began in 1932 and typically attracts over 100 boats of all sizes from all over New England. The 238-mile course stretches from inside Long Island Sound at Shippan Point in Stamford, Connecticut, to the light tower at the entrance to Buzzard’s Bay, and then returns to the finish in Stamford Harbor, leaving Block Island to starboard on the way out and back. Those who are successful often credit local knowledge of these tricky waters going in and out of the infamous “The Race” at the opening of Long Island Sound to the treacherous waters of the north Atlantic Ocean, along with a good deal of luck.  The Vineyard Race was described in Yachting Magazine as follows: “The greatest distance races of the world have several things in common – a challenging course, competitive fleets, and an interesting array of famous yachts. By those standards, the Stamford Yacht Club’s Vineyard Race rates close to the top. Like a miniature Fastnet, the Vineyard has a combination of coastal cruising, where currents play a big role, a stretch of ocean sailing, and a mark to round – the Buzzards Bay tower – before returning.” 
The race has been popular with many offshore J/Teams for decades. This year’s event will feature over a dozen J’s across the many ORC and PHRF handicap divisions. Here’s the breakdown of those sailing the race.  Read more here.

J/Gear- September 20% off Special
The J/Marmot vest is just in time for a few cool days sneaking in at the end of the season. The J/Marmot Tempo Vest is a combination of performance and comfort. Light enough for easy stowage, but formidable enough for weather changes.
Material:

6.8 oz/yd, softshell double-weave 97% polyester, 3% elastane stretchM3 Softshell
Water-repellent and breathable

Features:

Zippered chest pocket
Zippered handwarmer pockets
Elastic drawcord hem
Choose your J/Class logo and customize with boat name and sail number as an option. The Ladies 9591 is a companion to the men’s 9602.

J Marmot Mens Vest-click here. || J Marmot Ladies Arctic Vest- click here.

(Düsseldorf, Germany)- The world-famous BOOT Düsseldorf Boat Show is taking place from January 17th to 25th, 2026, in Düsseldorf, Germany, at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center along the gorgeous Rhine River.
With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Düsseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the debut of the new J/7 daysailer, the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the new J/36 twin-wheeled racer-cruiser, and the magnificent J/40 performance cruising yacht!
For more BOOT Düsseldorf 2026 boat show informationhttps://www.boot.com/

(Annapolis, MD)- The 2025 edition of the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, will run from October 9th to 12th. J/Boats is excited to feature one of its largest displays in years, showcasing our latest designs with four boats on display.
All J/Sailors and J/Lovers are invited to join us on the J/Stand in Annapolis, where we will be displaying the new J/7 daysailer, the J/9 daysailer, the new J/36 performance cruiser/racer, and the magnificent J/40 offshore performance cruising yacht.
For more Annapolis Sailboat Show informationhttps://www.annapolisboatshows.com/sailboat-show/

(La Rochelle, France)- The Grand Pavois La Rochelle Boat Show will be taking place from September 23rd to 28th at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle, France. As in past years, over 750 boats are on display and at least 80,000 visitors are expected to attend the six-day show, one of the most popular in Europe due to the wonderful fall weather often experienced at this time of year.

Be sure to explore the new J/7 daysailer, it’s the European introduction of this extremely popular little daysailer! Then, enjoy the race-winning potential of our new line of offshore racer-cruisers- the J/99, the new J/36 (a J/112E with a new deck and twin-wheel cockpit- see above), and the J/40.
For more Grand Pavois La Rochelle Boat Show informationhttps://grand-pavois.com/en/homepage/

(Newport, RI)- Mark your calendars now! It’s that time of year to catch up with friends and discuss the current line-up of J/Boats at the Newport International Boat Show. The event runs from Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14, along the waterfront in Newport, RI.
On display will be the daysailer sisterships- the J/7 and the J/9. In addition, the hottest new offshore cruiser-racers will be on display: the new J/36 with twin wheels and the J/40.
Come join us and catch up on the latest happenings in the world of J/Boats! We hope to see you there!
Newport International Boat Show informationhttps://www.newportboatshow.com/en/home.html

(Stamford, CT)- Stamford Yacht Club is the proud sponsor and host of the Vineyard Race. This classic yachting event began in 1932 and typically attracts over 100 boats of all sizes from all over New England. The 238-mile course stretches from inside Long Island Sound at Shippan Point in Stamford, Connecticut, to the light tower at the entrance to Buzzard’s Bay, and then returns to the finish in Stamford Harbor, leaving Block Island to starboard on the way out and back. Those who are successful often credit local knowledge of these tricky waters going in and out of the infamous “The Race” at the opening of Long Island Sound to the treacherous waters of the north Atlantic Ocean, along with a good deal of luck. The Vineyard Race was described in Yachting Magazine as follows: “The greatest distance races of the world have several things in common – a challenging course, competitive fleets, and an interesting array of famous yachts. By those standards, the Stamford Yacht Club’s Vineyard Race rates close to the top. Like a miniature Fastnet, the Vineyard has a combination of coastal cruising, where currents play a big role, a stretch of ocean sailing, and a mark to round – the Buzzards Bay tower – before returning.”
The race has been popular with many offshore J/Teams for decades. This year’s event will feature over a dozen J’s across the many ORC and PHRF handicap divisions. Here’s the breakdown of those sailing the race.

PHRF Doublehanded DivisionIn this five-boat fleet are four J/crews! Perhaps a sweep is possible by these teams! LOL! Sailing is a past winner, the J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN from American Yacht Club. They will be challenged by a trio of well-sailed J/99 duos- Mike Kohler’s EVENTYR, Kevin Marks’s VELOCITY 2, and Doug McKeige’s SAVE THE SOUND.
ORC 7 DivisionIn this four-boat fleet is Ned Jobson’s J/105 SLEEPER and Todd Aven’s J/99 THIN MAN.
ORC 9 DivisionHalf of this eight-boat fleet is J/Teams; e.g., that spells bad news for everyone else! Those boats include John Sutherland’s J/111 19th NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, two J/122s (Andrew Clark’s ZIG ZAG & David Rosow’s LOKI), and Albrecht Goethe’s J/46 HAMBURG II.
ORC 11 DivisionHalf of this dozen-boat fleet are J/teams, many with loads of offshore experience and, especially, dozens of Vineyard Race veterans amongst those teams. For starters, there is a trio of J/121s racing- Steven Levy’s EAGLE, Steve Losik’s HABIRU, and Trevor Roach’s TOUCH OF GREY. Joining them are twin J/133s- Steve Brownlie’s ASSARAIN IV and Ove Haxthausen’s RUMBA. Then, staring them all in the face at the start and hoping to sail away from everyone is Macrae Sykes’s J/125 GOOD NEWS. This will be one tough class to win! Guaranteed!
PHRF 6 DivisionSailing this five-boat fleet is Steve Landy & Derek Soohoo’s J/100 SANGUINE.
PHRF 8 DivisionThis quartet of boats will feature two hot J/109s- John Greifzu’s GROWTH SPURT and Cary & Hannah James’s SUNNY SIDE. Fresh from a near-win at the recent J/109 North Americans in Chicago, the betting odds are that Greifzu’s GROWTH SPURT team finishes on top.
PHRF 10 DivisionOne has to feel some empathy for the four competitors up against a quintet of very experienced J/120 teams entered in this fleet. It wouldn’t surprise anyone that the J/120s sweep the class. Sailing are Brian Spears’s MADISON, John Sartorius’s ALIBI, Richard West’s CHARLOTTE, Andrian Lubimov’s DUET, and William Klein’s SPECK.
PHRF 12 DivisionFour of the seven teams in this fleet are J/Teams, and virtually all of them have won silver in various races over time. To say it’s the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” waiting to cash in for more silverware would not be an understatement. Leading the charge should be Len Sitar’s magnificent blue J/160 COUGAR. However, charging hard on their heels will be Constantine Baris’s J/122 DIRE WOLF and two J/111s- Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL and Peter Chirlian’s CIAO BABY.
For more Vineyard Race sailing informationhttps://www.stamfordyc.com/Sailing/Vineyard_Race_(1)

Late summer was electric for the J/Community this past week, with new boats, big regattas, and plenty of silverware. Newport buzzed, first at the Sail Newport Gala where the new J/7 daysailer turned heads, and soon at the Newport International Boat Show, where sailors can see the full lineup— from the J/7 and J/9 to the new J/36 and J/40.
On the race course, J/Teams have been busy racking up results on both sides of the Atlantic. From distance racing glory in the Round Long Island and Ida Lewis Distance Races to blustery one-design battles in Hood River, Chester, and San Francisco Bay, the action has been non-stop. Across Europe, the J/70 Sailing Leagues in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Austria are heating up—with national pride, bragging rights, and tight racing on the line.
It’s also been inspiring to watch women’s sailing take center stage, with top performances at the USA Women’s Match Racing Championship in San Francisco and strong youth competition in Newport.

J/7 Daysailer Stars @ Sail Newport Gala!
(Newport, RI)- The annual summer gala for the Sail Newport organization in Newport, RI took place this past week. Featured at the docks in front of the huge “marquee” tent and the Sail Newport building was the new J/7 daysailer, resplendent in “dress ship” style. Next year, a new fleet of J/7s will become the new training boat for the Sail Newport keelboat programs!.  Read more here.

Newport Boat Show- J/7, J/9, NEW J/36, and J/40 on Display

(Newport, RI)- Mark your calendars now! It’s that time of year to catch up with friends and discuss the current line-up of J/Boats at the Newport International Boat Show. The event runs from Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14. 
On display will be the daysailer sisterships- the J/7 and the J/9. In addition, the HOT new offshore cruiser-racers will be on display- the NEW J/36 with twin-wheels and the J/40.  Read more here.

J/Teams Garner Boatloads of Silverware @ Round Long Island Race

Sweep Top 5 PHRF 9 and Top 2 in PHRF 10 Divisions!(New York, NY)- “Our ACADIA had a successful start to distance racing last week! I sailed the 209-mile Around Long Island Race with my cousins and some longtime friends,” commented Erik Asgeirsson, owner/ skipper of the J/45 ACADIA.
“We got 2nd in our competitive division and were 5th overall out of a 50-plus fleet of boats. It was a few races in one, and we did well in each leg. We led our division beating to windward out of New York Harbor and have some great pictures with the Statue of Liberty. We then had an exciting code zero and spinnaker run to Montauk in a 20-knot-plus southerly. We achieved a new top speed of over 16 knots! 
A well-sailed J/121 HARIBU passed us on the way to Montauk. They had an A3 spinnaker, which they deployed a couple of hours before we set our A4 spinnaker.  Read more here.

Big Winds for J/70s @ Hood River One-Design Regatta!

(Hood River, OR)- The Columbia River Gorge is a wind seeker’s paradise. The river marks the boundary between Oregon and Washington. Windsports of all kinds gather here during the summer for thrilling high-wind rides. With launch sites like Doug’s Beach or Swell City, you might think it’s a Pacific beach, but it’s where coastal rain meets desert sun. The desert heats to 90+ degrees, creating predictable thermal westerly winds funneled up the Gorge. Windshifts occur, and wind can slant NW, W, or SW. Here’s Janet Laffitte’s story of wild sailing on their J/70 in 20 to 35 kts conditions!
“For one weekend in the summer, the boarders share the river with intrepid J/70 and Moore 24 sailors who seek the same thrills- short upwind legs flowing with the river and long wild planing downwind sleigh rides against the river’s current. Run by the small but mighty, tight but friendly Hood River Yacht Club, the Hood River One-Design Regatta (HR1D) draws sailors from as far south as San Francisco and north up to Seattle. The Gorge is home base for many professional and Olympic-class sailors. They are also HRYC members who are more than happy to share local knowledge or donate their time to boost the junior sailing program. Let’s be clear- regardless of sailing level, the local sailors are not wallflowers. Race night is game on, even in the 25-30 kts wind range, which the locals call a  normal race day. Forget the J/70 class rule wind limit because they would never go out otherwise!!. Read more here.

J/Teams Eclipse Chester Race Week 2025!
(Halifax, Nova Scotia)- The beautiful little seaside village of Chester, Nova Scotia, played host to another wonderful Chester Race Week. The Chester Yacht Club played host to over 100 yachts that competed on three different courses over the four-day event, which is billed as the largest keelboat regatta in Canada. Boats were registered from all over Nova Scotia, plus boats from Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. For those viewing the racing from shore or on the water, they were treated to a kaleidoscope of color with the spinnakers billowing and pulling the boats to the finish lines. 
Near Perfect WeatherThe opening day began under calm conditions, with glassy waters and light air delaying the action. By mid-afternoon, a sunny day with a light breeze filled in across Mahone Bay, setting the stage for competitive racing. On day 2, it dawned with steady morning breezes, a welcome change from the calmer start on the first day. Crews took to Mahone Bay ready for another round of fierce competition across all courses, with close mark roundings, tactical duels, and shifting wind conditions keeping tacticians on their toes. Then, on the final day, the crews experienced lively conditions on Mahone Bay, with steady winds fueling fast-paced racing across all divisions. Crews pushed hard into the weekend, with overall standings tightening, and several fleets setting up for thrilling final day showdowns. Read more here.

Sarpsborg SA Crushing Norwegian J/70 Sailing League 2025!
(Arendal, Norway)- The Norwegian Sailing Association and the Arendals Sailing Club hosted the third stage of the 2025 Norwegian J/70 Sailing League in Arendal, Norway. Eighteen clubs from across the mountainous peninsula of Norway competed for “best sailing club” honors over the three-day event. Each club sailed fourteen races!
In the end, the regatta became a tightly fought battle between Sarpsborg Sailing Association, Trondhjems Seilforening, and Kongelig Norsk Seilforening. Just three points separated the three teams after the clouds had cleared in the fog of war. Winning was the Sarpsborg SA team with 18 pts, followed by Trondhjems SC in second place with 20 pts, then just one point in arrears for the bronze medal was KNS (Royal Norwegian Yacht Club) with 21 pts. Read more here.

Roskilde Sejlklub Tops Danish J/70 Sailing League- Hellerup 

(Hellerup, Denmark)- The Hellerup S ejlklub hosted the twenty-one sailing clubs from across Denmark for the third event of the Danish J/760 Sailing League in Hellerup, Denmark. 
After a tightly fought battle, the Roskilde SC team pulled off the regatta win. They were followed by the Kalovig Badelaug team in second place and the Sonderborg Yacht Club in third place. The balance of the top five saw the Royal Danish YC teams (Kongelig Dansk Sejlklub) take fourth place, with Sejlklubben Neptune Vejle take fifth place. Read more here.

Stenungsunds SC Wins Swedish J/70 Sailing League- Ekero

(Jungfrusund (Ekerö BK), Sweden)- The third event in the Swedish J/70 Sailing League series took place in Ekero, Sweden, for the eighteen teams competing for the title of Best Sailing Club in Sweden. Each team sailed fifteen races over the two-day weekend that was blessed with great sailing weather! Both Saturday and Sunday offered fresh gusty winds. All the crews coped with this well, but the unpredictable wind shifts meant there were constant, quick reversals in the races and in the results list!
After fifteen preliminary rounds, fifteen races per crew, Åmålsviken was in the lead ahead of Strängnäs, Stenungsund, GKSS, Halmstad, and Ekerö. These six clubs then qualified to participate in the grand finale race. Here, Halmstad was best, but closely followed by Stenungsund and Strängnäs. This meant that Stenungsund and Strängnäs ended up on the same final points of 5 each. The final victory was then awarded to the Stenungsund team (Jonas Berntsson, Clara Svensdotter, Herman Andersson, and Doris Lagergren), due to the better result in the final race. Rounding out the podium was determined by another tiebreaker at 6 pts each. Winning that countback was Halmstads Segelsallskap team over Segelsallskapet Amalsviken team. Read more here.

J/109 Wins Youth Challenge @ Ida Lewis Distance Race

(Newport, RI)- The 20th anniversary of the Ida Lewis Distance Race delivered an unforgettable offshore challenge for 35 teams that took to the starting line Friday morning (August 15) in blustery east northeasterly winds. With a demanding downwind start in 12-15 knots, crews had to precisely time their spinnaker hoists – a thrilling sight just outside of Newport Harbor – as they launched into the 24-hour endurance race.
“Hosted by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, this year’s edition stayed true to its reputation, serving up the full spectrum of offshore sailing: strong breezes, tidal currents, and sometimes frustrating stretches of light to no wind at all,” said Event Chair Anselm Richards. “The racecourse tested both seamanship and strategy, keeping crews and tacticians on their game from start to finish.”
The fleet featured two ORC, one Doublehanded, and three PHRF (Aloha, Bagheera, Coronet) classes. From seasoned veterans to ambitious newcomers, all teams faced the demanding conditions that have made this race a classic on the northeast sailing calendar.
All was not easy, however, on the track to victory that sent the fleet from Narragansett Bay to Rhode Island Sound and as far as Block Island Sound. Stretches of little to no wind pushed wits and determination to the edge, extending the 24-hour race to between 25 and 27 hours for some and giving 10 boats reason to retire before finishing. Read more here.

Breault Dominates Women’s USA Match Race Championship!

(San Francisco, CA)- The USA Women’s Match Racing Championship was hosted last weekend by the eponymous St. Francis Yacht Club. This match race regatta was sailed in the club’s matched J/22 one-design sailboat, with ten all-women’s teams participating. The format includes a series of Qualifying Round Robins, Semi-Finals, and a Finals Series.
Posting sharp tactics and blistering boatspeed for all three days of the event, Nicole Breault’s team from the host St. Francis YC (Molly Vandemoer, McKenzie Wilson, and Hailey Thompson) virtually ran the table, losing only twice in races for the entire weekend!. Read more here.

Nautic Club Austria Tops Austrian J/70 Sailing League- Achensee

(Achensee, Austria)- The Nautic Club Austria celebrated its first victory at the final stop of the Austrian Sailing League on Lake Achensee. The Styrian team prevailed ahead of the Union Yachtclub Wörthersee and the home team, SCTWV Achensee. It was the third and penultimate event before the final on Lake Mattsee in September. The 18 best Austrian sailing clubs will be competing for the championship title in six identical J/70 sailboats.
On the first two days of the regatta, the wind didn’t arrive until late afternoon. However, at the end of the race, Lake Achensee showed off its best side: a steady northerly wind of around 15 knots set in by midday, allowing a total of 18 races to be sailed until the final whistle.
“Our goal is to compete in the Sailing Champions League long-term. We train with our J/70 class boats in Punat, we have reliable sponsors, and we sail with a well-coordinated team in fixed positions, which brings stability. Lake Achensee also suits us,” said NCA team captain Mischa Strobl, explaining their success. Read more here.

J/Gear- August 20% off Special
The J Diamond Polo is a mild departure from the solid colors. This fun diamond pattern is featured on a quality shirt by Adidas. Soft uniform collar and available with your J Class logo. Specify your option imprints and location.
Features:- 3.5 oz./yd², 100% recycled polyester- All-over diamond jacquard pattern- Three-button placket
Get your J/Gear 20% off special here- ORDER your special discount items here. 

 

 

(Newport, RI)- The 20th anniversary of the Ida Lewis Distance Race delivered an unforgettable offshore challenge for 35 teams that took to the starting line Friday morning (August 15) in blustery east northeasterly winds. With a demanding downwind start in 12-15 knots, crews had to precisely time their spinnaker hoists – a thrilling sight just outside of Newport Harbor – as they launched into the 24-hour endurance race.
“Hosted by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, this year’s edition stayed true to its reputation, serving up the full spectrum of offshore sailing: strong breezes, tidal currents, and sometimes frustrating stretches of light to no wind at all,” said Event Chair Anselm Richards. “The racecourse tested both seamanship and strategy, keeping crews and tacticians on their game from start to finish.”
The fleet featured two ORC, one Doublehanded, and three PHRF (Aloha, Bagheera, Coronet) classes. From seasoned veterans to ambitious newcomers, all teams faced the demanding conditions that have made this race a classic on the northeast sailing calendar.
All was not easy, however, on the track to victory that sent the fleet from Narragansett Bay to Rhode Island Sound and as far as Block Island Sound. Stretches of little to no wind pushed wits and determination to the edge, extending the 24-hour race to between 25 and 27 hours for some and giving 10 boats reason to retire before finishing.
An Impressive Youth/ Collegiate TurnoutOf the 35 teams competing, five were dual-scored for the Youth Challenge and six were dual-scored for the Collegiate Challenge, each having the required allotment of 40% youth or collegiate sailors, respectively, as crew. Furthermore, a total of 11 boats (roughly 31% of the fleet) included at least one or more high school sailors (22 total) in their crews, and nine boats (25% of the fleet) had collegiate sailors (20 total) aboard.
Bill Kneller’s (Newport, RI) J/109 VENTO SOLARE, third in its PHRF Coronet class, won the Arent H. Kits van Heyningen Trophy for the Youth Challenge, while William Denker’s (Hull, MA) J/99 FALCON, second in Coronet class, won the Tuthill Collegiate Trophy for the Collegiate Challenge.
“It was an outstanding showing of the next generation of sailors,” said one of the race’s Youth/ Collegiate coordinators, Adam Witham.
ORC 2 DivisionIn this six-boat fleet, Bob Manchester’s J/133 VAMOOSE took the bronze medal, while Ned Jobson’s J/105 SLEEPER finished in 6th place.
PHRF Coronet DivisionIn this fleet of eight yachts, Denker’s J/99 FALCON was second, followed by Kneller’s J/109 VENTO SOLARE in third, and Jim Phyfe’s J/44 DIGGER in 6th place.
Ida Lewis Distance Race Gold Sponsors were Hogan Associates/ Christie’s International Real Estate, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, and Van Liew Trust Company. Silver Sponsor was Contender Sailcloth, and Bronze Sponsors were the Brenton Hotel and Hilb Group. Contributing Sponsors were Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, Stella Artois, Toni Mills Graphic Design, and Mac Designs.
For Ida Lewis Distance Race sailing informationhttp://www.ilyc.org/distancerace

(Newport, RI)- Mark your calendars now! It’s that time of year to catch up with friends and discuss the current line-up of J/Boats at the Newport International Boat Show. The event runs from Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14.
On display will be the daysailer sisterships- the J/7 and the J/9. In addition, the HOT new offshore cruiser-racers will be on display- the NEW J/36 with twin-wheels and the J/40.
Come join us and catch up on the latest happenings in the world of J/Boats! We hope to see you there!
Newport International Boat Show informationhttps://www.newportboatshow.com/en/home.html

Sweep Top 5 PHRF 9 and Top 2 in PHRF 10 Divisions!(New York, NY)- “Our ACADIA had a successful start to distance racing last week! I sailed the 209-mile Around Long Island Race with my cousins and some longtime friends,” commented Erik Asgeirsson, owner/ skipper of the J/45 ACADIA.
“We got 2nd in our competitive division and were 5th overall out of a 50-plus fleet of boats. It was a few races in one, and we did well in each leg. We led our division beating to windward out of New York Harbor and have some great pictures with the Statue of Liberty. We then had an exciting code zero and spinnaker run to Montauk in a 20-knot-plus southerly. We achieved a new top speed of over 16 knots!
A well-sailed J/121 HARIBU passed us on the way to Montauk. They had an A3 spinnaker, which they deployed a couple of hours before we set our A4 spinnaker.

It was then a beat to windward up Long Island Sound in 9 to 13 knots. We passed the J/121 a little before the finish and were first over the line. But the J/121 corrected over us. We also would have been 3rd in Division 1, beating a Soto 40 and the J/160 Cougar,” commented Erik on their successful race.
PHRF 9 DivisionIt was a clean sweep of the top five in this division. Winning was Max Hafen’s J/105 PHANTOM. They were followed by Cormac Murphy’s J/105 LITTLE TEXAS YC in second, and Steve Landy & Derek Soohoo’s J/100 SANGUINE in third. The balance of the top five included Ken Horvath’s J/37 WINDANCER and Kevin Sherwood’s J/99 BAY RETRIEVER, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
PHRF 10 DivisionWinning was Steve Losik’s J/121 HABIRU from United Yacht Club. Taking the silver medal was Erik Asgeirsson’s J/45 ACADIA from American Yacht Club, just 7 minutes behind on handicap corrected time! Fourth place was Andrian Lubimov’s J/120 DUET.
PHRF 0 DivisionThe “big boat” class saw Len Sitar’s famous J/160 COUGAR zoom around the course in style to take fourth place, just 14 minutes corrected time from taking the bronze medal!