Year: 2025

49 Teams, 384 Sailors, 120 Volunteers, 1 Nor’easter!(Larchmont, NY)- The 2025 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR), presented by ShopRite of Carteret, organized by the Storm Trysail Club, and supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation, welcomed 49 teams and 384 collegiate sailors for a weekend of spirited big boat racing. Notably, 34 of the boats were passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!!
Teams arrived Friday to find cool fall conditions as they took to the water for practice aboard boats generously donated by local owners. Some of those boats were delivered that morning from as far away as New Jersey — their owners bundled up in layers for the trip north.
Adapting to the Nor’easterGiven the forecast of a significant nor’easter on Sunday, organizers made the early call on Friday to cancel Sunday racing for the safety of the sailors and boats. The first warning signal on Saturday was moved up one hour to capitalize on the favorable conditions expected before the storm.
Saturday dawned gray and wet, but the rain soon eased and the breeze built steadily throughout the day. Thanks to the efficient work of the Race Committee and the addition of two race circles this year, an impressive six races were completed across six classes — four PHRF divisions, J/105s, and J/109s.
Onshore Camaraderie and CommunityOff the water, sailors were treated to dinners at Larchmont Yacht Club on both Friday and Saturday evenings, complete with the chance to connect with fellow competitors from 19 states and three Canadian provinces. On Sunday morning, teams gathered on the LYC lawn for a group photo and the awards ceremony before heading home ahead of the approaching gale.

PHRF Large DivisionThis half-dozen boat fleet almost had a clean sweep by J/Teams! In the end, it was Clemson Sailing Team’s J/111 SUMMER STORM, led by skipper Antonio Priskich, that won the division with a record of 1-2-1-4-3-1 for 12 pts. Then, taking the bronze medal was the University of Rhode Island Rams Sailing team’s J/44 PALANTIR 5, led by skipper Adam Strobridge, that posted an enviable 3-1-2-7-1-3 scoreline for 17 pts.
Owner June Kendrick, who donated PALANTIR 5 to sail with the University of Rhode Island team, reminded everyone of the event’s spirit of generosity: “We donate our boats to give back to the sport. It’s inspiring to see so many young sailors learning offshore sailing the right way.”

PHRF Medium DivisionThis seven-boat fleet featured three J teams. RIT on the J/120 M-SQUARED and Western Michigan on the J/120 DUET ended up finishing 4th and 5th, respectively. Just behind in sixth was the J/112E REBELLE, sailed by Northeastern University, and the J/124 TENEBRAE, sailed by the University of Maryland, was seventh.

PHRF Small DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet saw Webb Institute, with skipper Calvin Schmid, sailing their modified J/105 SLEEPER to the division win with a 3-2-4-1-3-3 tally for 16 pts. Third place went to the J/99 SAVE THE SOUND, sailed by Grand Valley’s sailing team and led by skipper Garrett Szlachta. Fourth place was the University of Vermont, skippered by Marco Welch, sailing the J/88 ONE TOO MANY.

J/105 ClassAs anticipated, the College of Charleston on KESTREL was declared the Winner Overall (Hoffman Trophy) and Winner of the inaugural Callisto Cup (top team in both IOR regattas- Chicago & Larchmont). The Charleston’s J/105 team, led by skipper John Polek, topped their class with an impressive record of four firsts and two seconds in a highly competitive 12-boat fleet. Winning skipper John Polek reflected on the victory, “We had success this weekend from lots of preparation, which really made a noticeable difference. We were able to execute maneuvers that other teams couldn’t — such as gybe sets in the last three races that extended our leads. This was a new team with three sophomores and two freshmen, so we really had to work for every inch. Having our assistant coach, Justin Walling, with us at the event kept us sharp. As Ned Goss tells us, ‘Firetrucks don’t stop at red lights,’ which reminds me to push for every opportunity. It feels great to be the first name on the Callisto Cup. I’m proud of my teammates and excited for what’s next for the Charleston Varsity Offshore Team.”
Among the many stories of the weekend was the debut of the Harvard College sailing team, a powerhouse in dinghy racing, but new to the offshore scene. Skipper Xavier Ayala-Vermont led the team to an impressive second place in the J/105 class behind Charleston. They sailed impressively well, compiling a 3-1-1-2-5-2 record for 14 pts.
Commenting on his team’s performance, he said, “This was our first regatta sailing together — none of us had ever raced a J/105 before. All credit to the crew. Harvard doesn’t have an offshore team yet, but this was a huge step toward building one with alumni support. The IOR was an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to be back next year!”
Rounding out the podium in third place was the Olin College team, with Owen Himsworth skippering. Their team sailed a strong series, posting a 2-7-6-3-3-3 tally for 24 pts.

J/109 ClassWinner of the J/109 class and second overall recipient of the Puff Trophy was Brown University with a blistering scoreline of five 1st and one 2nd for 7 pts. Commanding the Brown team was skipper Daniel van Heeckeren. He commented on their performance, “I would say this win is a team win. A major part of our success comes from the talent and competition throughout the whole of the Brown University Sailing Team, where every day at practice, we get pushed to become the best sailors we can be. Also, to our coaches, John Mollicone and Cam Giblin, for everything they’ve done for our team. IOR for us is the culmination of our keelboat regattas in the fall and is what we look towards every year — and we look forward to coming back.”
Taking the silver medal was a “local” team on the western Long Island Sound, SUNY Maritime. Their skipper, Robert Wieczorek, led his SUNY team to a 4-1-3-3-5-2 record for 18 pts. Then, following them on the podium to take the bronze medal was the UCONN Sailing team, led by skipper Chris Bullock. They sailed a consistent regatta with finishes of 2-3-26-4.4-6 for 23.4 pts total.
Great Feedback and GratefulnessBy Monday morning, IOR’s Instagram had surpassed 300,000 views over the weekend, with many of the teams sharing photos from event photographer Steve Cloutier and expressing their gratitude to the organizers, boat owners, volunteers, Race Committee, and their own teammates and coaches. The outpouring of appreciation across social media captured the true spirit of the event — teamwork, sportsmanship, and community.
Gratitude to Sponsors and VolunteersThe Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta is 100% free for all teams and sailors — made possible through the generosity of boat owners, volunteers, the Storm Trysail Foundation, and sponsors.
This year’s Title Sponsor, ShopRite of Carteret, once again demonstrated its dedication to supporting the next generation of offshore sailors. The event was also proudly supported by returning sponsors Helly Hansen, Carlsberg, McMichael Yachts, UK Sailmakers, Dimension-Polyant, Gifted of Larchmont, Lemon & Line, and Race Engineering.
Ahead of the event, Storm Trysail Club members and IOR alumni Charlie Enright (Brown), Jesse Fielding (URI), and Erica Lush (BU) shared their advice for the next generation of sailors in a pre-race video.
Watch on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPo4ON7CdW7/
Sailing photo credits- Steve Cloutier (@BlockIslandSteve on Instagram)
For STC Intercollegiate Regatta resultshttps://www.yachtscoring.com/event_scratch_sheet/50498
For more Storm Trysail Club’s Intercollegiate Regatta sailing informationhttps://stormtrysail.org/regattas/intercollegiate-regatta/
#IntercollegiateOffshoreRegatta #CollegiateSailing #OffshoreSailing #StormTrysailClub #LarchmontYachtClub #J105 #J109 #PHRF

As autumn deepens across the northern hemisphere, the J/Community finds itself at a crossroads — one part wrapping up championship season, another already looking ahead to winter adventures. The past few weeks have offered a striking snapshot of the sport’s reach and vitality: from New Orleans to Barcelona, Annapolis to San Francisco, sailors continue to chase excellence in every corner of the map.In the deep South, LE TIGRE roared to victory at the J/80 North American Championship in New Orleans, while across the Atlantic, MARNATURA captured the J/70 Spanish Cup after a fiercely contested regatta in Barcelona. Collegiate sailors brought their own energy to the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta in Larchmont — a weekend that saw 49 teams, 384 sailors, one massive nor’easter, and more than a few soggy smiles.This week’s stories also shine a light on the diversity and depth of the “J” sailing world: from the women-led Red Bra Regatta in San Francisco and the upcoming Heidi Cup on Lake Thun, to the international Masters Regatta in San Diego and the enduring East Coast Championships for J/22s and J/24s in Annapolis. Offshore, the horizon widens further— from Malta’s legendary Rolex Middle Sea Race in the Mediterranean to the ever-popular J/Fest Southwest in Texas, both drawing fleets that reflect the same spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the class.And as the northern winds start to bite, the J/70 Winter Series calendar is already heating up— with sailors setting their sights on warmer waters in Florida, Monaco, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey, and beyond. Whether it’s a winter escape or serious training for next year’s championships, there’s always another adventure waiting just over the horizon.Speaking of adventures, be sure to read about the on-going odyssey of the J/46 SWEET RUCA in the J/Community section below. A couple and their dog embarked on the world cruise of a lifetime; starting in Newport, then Maine, then Caribbean, then cross Atlantic to the Azores/ Canaries, south trans-Atlantic to Puerto Williams and Cape Horn, north up through Chile’s Patagonia, and now the South Pacific. It’s an epic journey and the blog is a great read!From championship triumphs to charity regattas, from collegiate fleets to seasoned masters, this season’s stories remind us that J/sailing never really stops — it simply changes hemispheres! Wherever you find yourself sailing next, here’s to fair winds, warm friendships, and a season that continues to inspire.

LE TIGRE Roars to J/80 North American Championship!(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent. READ MORE HERE.

MARNATURA Wins J/70 Spanish Cup(Barcelona, Spain)- Luis Bugallo’s MARNATURA, from the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, was crowned champion of the J/70 Spanish Cup, held last weekend in the waters off Barcelona.The event, which brought together seventeen teams from three nations (Spain, Germany, and Hungary), was held in conjunction with the second round of the J/70 Barcelona Winter Series, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.Over three intense days, crews from the Canary Islands, Galicia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, and other parts of Europe put on a top-level performance, completing nine of the twelve scheduled races. READ MORE HERE.

College of Charleston Crowned STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Champions!49 Teams, 384 Sailors, 120 Volunteers, and 1 Nor’easter(Larchmont, NY)- The 2025 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR), presented by ShopRite of Carteret, organized by the Storm Trysail Club, and supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation, welcomed 49 teams and 384 collegiate sailors for a weekend of spirited big boat racing. Notably, 34 of the boats were passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!!Teams arrived Friday to find cool fall conditions as they took to the water for practice aboard boats generously donated by local owners. Some of those boats were delivered that morning from as far away as New Jersey — their owners bundled up in layers for the trip north.Adapting to the Nor’easterGiven the forecast of a significant nor’easter on Sunday, organizers made the early call on Friday to cancel Sunday racing for the safety of the sailors and boats. The first warning signal on Saturday was moved up one hour to capitalize on the favorable conditions expected before the storm. READ MORE HERE.

Women J/Crews Love The 13th Red Bra Regatta (San Francisco, CA)- The South Beach Yacht Club on the southern part of San Francisco Bay hosted its 13th annual Red Bra Regatta 2025. The event was all about fun and supporting other women. Specifically, the regatta supported “Girls United” for the seventh year this September! Girls United for KenyaGirls 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. Run 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.”  READ MORE HERE.

Swiss J/70 HEIDI CUP Preview(Spiez, Switzerland)- The Yacht Club Spiez in Spiez, Switzerland, will again be hosting fourteen women’s teams on Lake Thun for the 2025 edition of the Heidi Cup. Like their colleagues in Scandinavia, the women’s sailing circuit in Switzerland continues to grow quite strongly. The big question is how teams that fared well in the 2024 season continue their winning ways.  In the 2024 Swiss Women’s Sailing League finale, the top five were Thunersee Yacht Club, Zürcher Segel Club, Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, and Club Nautique Morgien. Then, in the final women’s regatta of the summer season, the Heidi Cup on Lake Thun, the top five were Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, Segelclub Oberer Zurichsee, Cercle de la Voile Vevey, and Cercle de la Voile d’Estavayer..  READ MORE HERE.

Don Trask J/105 Masters Regatta 2025 Preview(San Diego, CA)- The 43rd running of the Don Trask Masters Regatta returns to San Diego Yacht Club October 20-22, 2023. This year’s slate of twelve competitors brings together a truly international cast of Master skippers from Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United States. Over the three days of racing, teams will compete using chartered J/105s in a round-robin format in South San Diego Bay.Historically, this invitation-only regatta has attracted some of the world’s best master sailors, including iconic names like Elvstrom, Buchan, Burnham, Tillman, Trask, Irish, Harken, North, and Holland (just to name a few). This year is no exception.  READ MORE HERE.

J/24 & J/22 East Coast Championship Preview(Annapolis, MD)- It’s that time of year again when the annual fall East Coast Championships for J/22s and J/24s takes place on the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted for the 47th time by the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, MD, the fleet of thirty-four J/24s and fourteen J/22s is looking forward to another weekend of fun & frolic sailing off the mouth of the Severn River. Back in the pandemic year of 2020, Sam McGuire was interviewed by Sail-World.com’s David Schmidt, himself an avid J/24 sailor in the Pacific Northwest J/24 fleet in Seattle. Sam offered a great perspective on the meaning of this regatta for members of the J/24 community. “Fall can be a bittersweet time for East Coast sailors. Winter isn’t far over the horizon, yet fall brings cooler temperatures, markedly less humidity, and some of the year’s best breeze and racing conditions. This is especially true for the Chesapeake Bay, where the J/22 and J/24 East Coast Championships, which are being organized by the Severn Sailing Association, U.S. J/24 Fleet 8, and U.S. J/22 Fleet 19, are set to unfurl on the waters near the mouth of the Severn River.  READ MORE HERE.

ROLEX Middle Sea Race Preview(Gzira, Malta)- The 46th ROLEX Middle Sea Race, which starts on Saturday, 18 October 2025, has amassed a fleet of 118 yachts. The entrants represent thirty countries and territories: from Australia and New Zealand to Finland and Norway, and from the United States to Romania. It is an outstanding, wide-ranging, and highly competitive fleet. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and its race organizing committee are thrilled with the continued enthusiasm shown for this classic race.“The Royal Malta Yacht Club is truly delighted to welcome such a diverse and talented fleet to this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race,” said Commodore Mark Napier. “This October promises an extraordinary international gathering, ready to take on one of the world’s most captivating race courses. We look forward to extending our renowned Maltese hospitality and, together with our partners, creating an unforgettable experience for every crew.” Several J/Teams are participating in the race.  READ MORE HERE.

J/Fest Southwest Regatta 2025 Preview(Houston, TX)- The J/Fest Southwest Regatta is celebrating its 15th Year in 2025 and is one of the most popular regattas for J/Boat owners across the region. It welcomes all J/Boats, including J/22, J/24, J/70, J/105, J/ORC, J/PHRF, and J/Cruise classes. The regatta features strong competition, a festive atmosphere, and draws participants from both near and far, with diverse J/Boat fleets represented. Here are the currently registered teams looking forward to a fun weekend sailing on Galveston Bay. READ MORE HERE.

J/70 Winter Calendar Announcement(Newport, RI)- As the northern hemisphere cools off, the J/70 calendar heats up all around the world. Whether you’re looking to escape the cold for a warmer weather weekend or training for the big show next year, now’s the time to set your schedule. The J/70 Class continues to grow across continents, and these winter regattas offer the perfect chance to sail in warm weather all around the world all year long! What a concept, a true “bucket list” class to sail in! Where will you be sailing this season? Here’s a look at some of the upcoming racing.  READ MORE HERE.

The J/46 SWEET RUCA’s AdventuresThis is an ongoing story about a couple that bought a J/46 and, with little offshore experience, decided they wanted to sail around the world. The crew consists of Kate, Curtis, and Roxy the dog. Their introduction is quite amusing. “One day we woke up, saw a boat on the Internet (the J/46), and in less than 24 hours, we had the winning bid!! Kate and I purchased the boat in January 2019 with the intention of refitting her and sailing her around the world. We sold our house, left Ohio, and moved onto the boat in Newport, Rhode Island, in July 2019. That’s before the global Covid-19 pandemic!”Since then, this American couple from the Midwest has had quite the adventure cruising around the world on SWEET RUKA. Here is the short story of their travels to date. READ MORE HERE. 

J/Gear HOLIDAY Special- 20% off!(Newport, RI)- We’re offering the J/Holiday Special from October through November 15th, 2025! 20% off on ALL orders!But the 1/2 hull models are exempt from this offer.Order early to ensure a Happy Holidays delivery!Holiday discount coupon:  JB2025HSFor any clothing, hats, blankets, and so forth, choose your J/Class logo and customize with boat name and sail number as an option. Browse all products here on the J/GEAR website:https://jgear.vsport.biz

(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent.

The results from day one proved a wide variance of entrants, led by James Buley of San Diego, CA, on LE TIGRE, who posted scores of 1-2 for the early advantage at 3 points. The breeze started quite promising on Lake Pontchartrain, with winds in the mid-teens. Buley’s LE TIGRE took the bullet, ahead of Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, and John Van Landeghem’s FUJIMO.
Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD landed second-place on the day after another podium finish in race two (5 points overall). The wind backed off in that contest, but sailors had to endure the lingering chop. Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, earned that race win, with Buley and Wittig rounding out the top group. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER holds third overall with 6 points.
Racing continues through Sunday.
For J/80 North American Championship resultshttps://www.regattanetwork.com/event/29407
Photos on J/80 North American Class Association Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581408401885

(Valparaiso, Chile)- The J/99 LADY CHOPPER II, owned by Eduardo Capdeville and skippered by Juan Reid, leads the Campeonato Apertura Oceanic that is being sailed off Valparaiso, the gorgeous mountainous seaside city with hundreds of pastel colored buildings. Hosts for the first IRC handicap regatta of the season are Cofradia Nautica del Pacifico, Yacht Club de Chile, and Club de Yates Higuerillas. Here is Juan Reid’s report on how they are progressing and leading the provisional standings.
“With three races on Saturday 27th of September at Valparaíso Bay and three races sailed in Higuerillas Bay on Sunday 28th, with winds of up to 27 kts, the J/99 managed to sail well and become the leader in the regatta with 8 pts. We are followed by the Chilean Navy’s CALEUCHE with 13 points and the Swan 45 RAYO with 13 points.

The upwind performance and stability of the J/99 against the other IRC boats is very good, especially in the choppy seas and with strong puffs. The stability of the boat with the standard bulb led keel was very good with winds blowing over 25 kts. The full mainsail and J2 jib were enough sail area to keep the boat 100% under control with no stress in the breezy conditions and big waves offshore.
In the downwind legs with moderate winds on Saturday, it was tricky to manage the IRC competitors (mainly with symmetric spinnakers). But once the wind started to increase, the simpler maneuvers and the speed of the J/99 made the difference. We won the 3 races on Sunday in real time against the boats of the size (Emme 37, X-37, Italia 9.98, and First 35).

The championship continues on October 17-18 with the 50th edition of Off-Valparaíso Regatta (a very traditional regatta organized by the Chilean Navy) and concludes with the Interclub Regatta to be held in Algarrobo Bay on November 22-23 by Cofradía Nautica del Pacífico, home club for LADY CHOPPER II.
This J/99 hull number 60 was sold in Chile in 2020 and, in the last 6 months, was prepared for racing. The team got in contact with OneSails UK to develop a new IRC mainsail and A2 spinnaker. With the support of OneSails UK, the team got the right mast tuning for the sails and target speed and angles upwind and downwind. The current TCC of the boat is 1.011. This appears to be a good number to compete against dedicated ORC and IRC boats like the Italia 9,98, Emme 37, First 35 with carbon rig, and X-37.
For a windspeed of 14-17 kts, the target TWA downwind is 167-170. Achieving this, the boat can be competitive upwind and downwind. The proper A2 developed in this case by OneSails UK is crucial for the downwind performance!”
#J99 #Sailing #YachtRacing #IRCracing #Valparaiso #Chile #OneSails #Regatta

The first week of October marked a lively opening to the northern fall sailing season— and what a week it’s been! From South America to Europe and North America, J/Teams have been on fire, racking up championship titles and silverware across fleets and classes. Buenos Aires set the stage for an epic 52-boat showdown at the J/70 South Americans, where American and Brazilian teams battled for top honors. Meanwhile, new national champions were crowned in Italy, the USA, and Chile, showcasing the depth and passion of J/Sailing worldwide.Closer to home, fall racing on Long Island Sound and Lake George brought out big J/Fleets and classic autumn conditions—crisp air, shifting breezes, and plenty of fun ashore. And as collegiate sailors gear up for the Storm Trysail Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, the next generation of J/Boat skippers and crews are ready to take their turn on the starting line.From world-class championships to local regattas, this issue celebrates the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and adventure that defines J/Sailing. Settle in and enjoy this month’s highlights—there’s plenty to inspire before we haul out for the winter and start dreaming about next season.

J/Boats Boat Show Schedule
(Newport, RI)- It’s fall/ winter boat show time, with major events in Europe and the USA. Dreaming about a new boat for next summer? Now’s the time to plan and browse the latest J/models at the sailboat shows. Here’s the schedule of the major shows:October 9-12- Annapolis Sailboat Show- Annapolis, Maryland On display- J/7, J/9, J/36, J/40, and J/45 Annapolis Sailboat Show information (https://www.annapolisboatshows.com/sailboat-show/)January 17-25, 2026- BOOT Düsseldorf- Düsseldorf, Germany On display- NEW J/7, J/99, NEW J/36, and J/40 BOOT Düsseldorf 2026 boat show information (https://www.boot.com/)Here are links for each J/Boat model that will be on display: J/7- https://jboats.com/boats/j7 J/9- https://jboats.com/j9 J/99- https://jboats.com/j-99-new J/36- https://jboats.com/boats/j36-2025 J/40- https://jboats.com/j40

Grow Sailing in Your Community! Have More Fun in a New J/7 Fleet!(Newport, RI)- Wish to grow sailing in your community? Buy one, then loan a new J/7 for sailing program use. Then, use it yourself on evenings & weekends! Everyone wins! Here’s how it works and how you benefit as the J/7 owner. A Dream Come TrueFor starters, this may be your “dream come true” for sailboat ownership. Ever dream of sailing anytime on a nice sailing day, but not have to deal with the hassles of boat ownership- maintaining, docking, launching/ retrieving, and storing the boat? Then, at the end of the sailing season, wouldn’t it be nice if your boat just “disappears” and magically reappears for the next sailing season? We’re certain many of you have seriously pondered this fantasy over time.The dream is real. There are several great examples of how well this “win-win” scenario works for both the boat owner and the community sailing program or sailing club. In return for use of the “loaned” boat, the sailing program agrees to maintain, dock/moor, and store the boat. The program uses the boat for adult, women’s, and youth programs. Then, when it’s not in use on evenings and weekends, the owner can go sailing on their boat at any time. READ MORE HERE.

RELATIVE OBSCURITY Crowned Open J/70 South American Champions!Brazil’s EL ENEMIGO Wins J/70 South American Title(Buenos Aires, Argentina)- From October 2nd to 5th, 2025, the Yacht Club Argentino in Buenos Aires hosted the 2025 J/70 South American Championship for a hot fleet of fifty-two boats. Amongst that fleet were well-known skippers who have competed on the world stage in midwinter series in Miami/ Tampa Bay, off Cowes, England, Monaco, Sardinia, and other places for J/70 North American, J/70 European, and J/70 World Championship titles. The YCA Race Committee & PRO team managed to run ten races over the three-day event. READ MORE HERE.

Burns Crowned J/22 North American Champion!(Rochester, NY)– The final day of the J/22 North American Championship hosted by Rochester Yacht Club in New York brought conditions that mirrored the first two days— light and shifty, demanding patience and precision from both sailors and race officials. Despite the challenges, the Race Committee excelled, successfully completing eight races while on Lake Ontario, adapting to every breeze shift thrown their way. Here is how it all went down for the twenty-five boats participating in the regatta. READ MORE HERE.

CICLONE Crowned Italian J/70 National Champion(Porto Maurizio, Italy)- In the southern parts of the island of Sardinia, one is struck by the sheer magnificence of the large mountains that form the geography of the seashore, unlike the north shore, which is relatively rocky and flat. Nestled in a cozy harbor flanked by those mountains is Porto Maurizio and the Yacht Club Porto Maurizio. This past weekend, the YC Porto Maurizio and their passionate volunteers hosted a fleet of twenty-five boats from all over Italy and Europe (including France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, Turkey, Monaco, Poland, and Austria). The YCPM Race Committee/ PRO team was up to the challenge to provide world-class racing to the equally passionate sailors assembled for the Italian J/70 National Championship. They managed to run eight races over the three-day event. The regatta turned into a four-way battle for the podium, with just four points separating them at the conclusion of racing on Sunday.  READ MORE HERE.

J/99 Leads Chilean IRC Championship(Valparaiso, Chile)- The J/99 LADY CHOPPER II, owned by Eduardo Capdeville and skippered by Juan Reid, leads the Campeonato Apertura Oceanic that is being sailed off Valparaiso, the gorgeous mountainous seaside city with hundreds of pastel colored buildings. Hosts for the first IRC handicap regatta of the season are Cofradia Nautica del Pacifico, Yacht Club de Chile, and Club de Yates Higuerillas. Here is Juan Reid’s report on how they are progressing and leading the provisional standings.”With three races on Saturday 27th of September at Valparaíso Bay and three races sailed in Higuerillas Bay on Sunday 28th, with winds of up to 27 kts, the J/99 managed to sail well and become the leader in the regatta with 8 pts. We are followed by the Chilean Navy’s CALEUCHE with 13 points and the Swan 45 RAYO with 13 points.The upwind performance and stability of the J/99 against the other IRC boats is very good, especially in the choppy seas and with strong puffs. The stability of the boat with the standard bulb led keel was very good with winds blowing over 25 kts.  The full mainsail and J2 jib were enough sail area to keep the boat 100% under control with no stress in the breezy conditions and big waves offshore.  READ MORE HERE.

Fun & Frolic @ American YC Fall Regatta(Rye, NY)- The 35th annual American Yacht Club Fall Regatta, virtually a J/Fest regatta for passionate J/Sailors, took place for two weekends in succession- September 27-28 and October 4-5 on western Long Island Sound. Of the 76 offshore teams sailing the regatta, 42 J/teams represented 55.0% of the fleet. After the two weekends of racing, here is how it all went down in the various divisions..  READ MORE HERE.

REDLINE Wins J/24 Changing of the Colors Regatta!(Diamond Pt, NY)- The 47th Annual Changing of the Colors Regatta took place from September 26th-28th, hosted by the legendary hospitality of the Lake George Club. This year, the event was also declared the J/24 Great Lakes Championship, with the winner receiving a berth to the J/24 World Championship! The twenty-eight teams in attendance from all over the northeastern USA enjoyed challenging, shifty conditions on Lake George, somewhat typical of a large mountain lake in the Adirondacks. J/24 Fleet #24 worked hard to make this a fun event. They found some giveaway goodies for each day from their awesome sponsors! Plus, there was complimentary beer and food on Friday evening, as well as post-racing kegs all weekend from the local sponsor- Adirondack Brewery. Saturday was the infamous, not-to-be-missed, Regatta Dinner with live entertainment at the Lake George Club! Trust us, it’s a serious party, with lots of fun, frolic, and dancing!   READ MORE HERE.

J/22 World Championship Preview(Naples, Italy)- For the first time in International J/22 Class history, the World Championship will be hosted in Naples, Italy, hosted by the Lega Navale Italiana Napoli, a club with a long-standing tradition of excellence in regatta management. The club has a J/22 fleet that has sailed locally in the gorgeous Golfo di Napoli for decades, all within sight of the famous Mount Vesuvius. Naples and its surrounding waters are a spectacular location for hosting the J/22 World Championship. As one of the most scenic and historic cities in the world, Naples offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and ideal sailing conditions that make it a premier location for international sailing events.There are twenty J/22 teams from four nations (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) registered to participate in the regatta from October 11th to 19th, 2025.  READ MORE HERE.

J/80 North Americans Report(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent. The results from day one proved a wide variance of entrants, led by James Buley of San Diego, CA, on LE TIGRE, who posted scores of 1-2 for the early advantage at 3 points. The breeze started quite promising on Lake Pontchartrain, with winds in the mid-teens. Buley’s LE TIGRE took the bullet, ahead of Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, and John Van Landeghem’s FUJIMO. READ MORE HERE.

STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Preview(Larchmont, NY)- On this Columbus Day holiday weekend, October 10-12, the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) will take place at Larchmont Yacht Club, co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club. The event will see 47 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 dinghy racing. Notably, this event has become by far the largest collegiate sailing event on the annual college sailing calendar in both the spring and fall!This year’s regatta features 47 boats generously donated by local sailors or schools. In fact, 34 of them are passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!! In total, 400+ college sailors will participate, supported by 90 volunteers who will serve in roles from Race Committee to Safety Officers on the donated boats. The event, supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation and powered by generous donations from club members, sponsors, and partners, remains free for all student competitors.  READ MORE HERE.

J/Gear HOLIDAY Special- 20% off!(Newport, RI)- We’re offering the J/Holiday Special from October through November 15th, 2025! 20% off on ALL orders!But the 1/2 hull models are exempt from this offer.Order early to ensure a Happy Holidays delivery!Holiday discount coupon:  JB2025HSFor any clothing, hats, blankets, and so forth, choose your J/Class logo and customize with boat name and sail number as an option. Browse all products here on the J/GEAR website:https://jgear.vsport.biz

(Larchmont, NY)- On this Columbus Day holiday weekend, October 10-12, the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) will take place at Larchmont Yacht Club, co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club.
The event will see 47 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 dinghy racing. Notably, this event has become by far the largest collegiate sailing event on the annual college sailing calendar in both the spring and fall!
This year’s regatta features 47 boats generously donated by local sailors or schools. In fact, 34 of them are passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!! In total, 400+ college sailors will participate, supported by 90 volunteers who will serve in roles from Race Committee to Safety Officers on the donated boats. The event, supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation and powered by generous donations from club members, sponsors, and partners, remains free for all student competitors.
Key sponsors include ShopRite of Carteret, IHG Hotels & Resorts, The Moorings, Helly Hansen, Risk Strategies-Gowrie Group, Harken Derm, Carlsberg (Sheehan Co), McMichael Yachts, UK Sailmakers Northeast, Dimension-Polyant, and Gifted of Larchmont.
The fleet will be divided into six classes (PHRF Zero, PHRF Large, PHRF Medium, PHRF Small, J/105s, and J/109s). The teams will be competing for class prizes and the prestigious Paul Hoffman Trophy, awarded to the overall winner based on points.
The regatta attracts teams from across the USA and Canada. Months of preparation from the Storm Trysail Club have gone into making this regatta a reality; it’s truly an enormous undertaking to manage the care & feeding of 400+ ravenous college kids! With good weather on the horizon, it promises to be a thrilling weekend of offshore racing and great social activities on shore. Here are some highlights of the college teams participating in various J/Boats.

PHRF Large DivisionThis half-dozen boat fleet features 100% J’s! So, without a doubt, J’s will sweep the podium. Hahaha. Clemson is sailing the J/111 SUMMER STORM, Mass Maritime is on the J/122 DIRE WOLF, and four J/44s are being raced by the US Naval Academy, Embry-Riddle, URI, and US Merchant Marine Academy. In the past, the well-trained Navy crew was nearly unstoppable as they had one of the best “big boat” college sailing programs in the world. They won class last year on the J/44 MAXINE and will be racing her again this year.

PHRF Medium DivisionThis seven-boat fleet features three J teams. On the J/112E REBELLE is Northeastern University, RIT is on the J/120 M-SQUARED, and Western Michigan is sailing the J/120 DUET.

PHRF Small DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet will have to contend with seven pretty well-trained college teams. The two J/100s will have Miami on AVOCET and South Carolina on GALATRONA. Webb is sailing their modified J/105 SLEEPER. Michigan State is on the J/42 ATALANTA. Vermont is racing the J/88 ONE TOO MANY. And, the two J/99s are being sailed by Syracuse on THIN MAN and Grand Valley on SAVE THE SOUND.

J/105 ClassThe dozen-boat fleet always has close competition. However, due to having their own J/105s, it always seems that the College of Charleston holds the upper hand in this fleet. They’ve won the J/105s twice before. This year, they are sailing KESTREL. Princeton’s offshore sailors are not exactly “wallflowers”; it seems they give the Charleston team fits in other regattas, and they will be sailing MAGIC.

J/109 ClassThis seven-boat fleet has several contenders. Having won in other divisions in previous STC IOR Regattas, watch out for Ohio State on MOCHI FANTA to be a leading contender. Others will be Brown racing the well-known NORDLYS and SUNY Maritime on LEADING EDGE.
Sailing photo credits- Steve Cloutier (@BlockIslandSteve on Instagram)
For STC Intercollegiate Regatta resultshttps://www.yachtscoring.com/event_scratch_sheet/50498
For more Storm Trysail Club’s Intercollegiate Regatta sailing informationhttps://stormtrysail.org/regattas/intercollegiate-regatta/

(Rye, NY)- The 35th annual American Yacht Club Fall Regatta, virtually a J/Fest regatta for passionate J/Sailors, took place for two weekends in succession- September 27-28 and October 4-5 on western Long Island Sound. Of the 76 offshore teams sailing the regatta, 42 J/teams represented 55.0% of the fleet. After the two weekends of racing, here is how it all went down in the various divisions.
PHRF DivisionIn this nine-boat fleet, Abhijeet Lele’s J/111 VARUNA posted a 4-2-3-3 for 12 pts to take the silver medal. Then, Robert Schwartz’s J/109 NORDLYS was fourth with a 5-3-4-4 tally for 16 pts. Rounding out the top five was Ian Millward’s J/109 QUICKSILVER with a 6-4-6-6 scoreline for 22 pts.
J/44 ClassThe 44s had a great turnout for this year’s event. A half-dozen teams were eager to have some fun in this end-of-season regatta. Winning was Don & Rick Rave’s RESOLUTE with an all-podium scoreline of 2-2-1-2 for 7 pts. Pushing them hard was a perennial contender for the crown, Bill Ketcham’s MAXINE that took the silver with a 4-1-2-1 tally for 8 pts. Then, rounding out the podium for the bronze medal was June & Amanda Kendrick’s PALANTIR 5 with a 1-5-3-5 record for 14 pts.
J/105 ClassShredding the J/105 class was Dave Willis’s SOLUTION, much to the surprise of many in the fleet. Willis started out with a bullet and never looked back, posting two more wins and a 2nd to win easily with 5 pts. Giving them a hard run-for-the-money was class veteran Damian Emery on WARLOCK, a past J/105 North American Champion. Try as they might, the WARLOCK team could only manage a 2-2-2-1 for 7 pts for the silver medal. Then, the bronze medal step was taken by Frank Latawiec’s ATARAXIS with an all 3rd place tally for 12 pts.
J/100 ClassThis half-dozen boat fleet sailed “white sails” main & jib only. Winning was Scott MacVicar & Brad Parish’s RESOLUTE with a 1-2 for 3 pts. Second was the trio of Drew Fung, Barry Gold, and Pat Jakobson sailing FREEDOM to a 3-1 for 4 pts. Completing the podium in third place was another trio- Lisi Dunlop, Paula Schaefer, and Giff Constable sailing BLACKCOMB/ VALOUR to a 4-3 for 7 pts.
ORC Coastal RacingTaking the third place in this fleet was Ove Haxthausen’s J/133 RUMBA with two 3rds for 6 pts.
PHRF 2 SpinThe battle of the “heavyweights” was an epic clash between two big J’s. Len Sitar’s gorgeous flag blue J/160 COUGAR took that fight with a 2-2 for 4 pts for the silver medal. Settling for the bronze was Erik Asgeirsson’s equally majestic flag-blue J/45 ACADIA that posted a 3-3 for 6 pts.
PHRF 3 SpinWinning this seven-boat fleet was William Ingraham’s J/124 TENEBRAE, yet another gorgeous navy blue boat! They posted a 1-2 for 3 pts to take the division. Fourth place went to Albrecht Goethe’s vibrant red J/46 HAMBURG II with a 3-5 for 8 pts.
PHRF 4 SpinThis large eleven-boat fleet saw a sweep of the top two spots by J/Teams. Winning was Lawrence Cutler & Andrew Weiss’s J/88 ONE TOO MANY with a 2-1 for 3 pts. The silver medallist was Todd Aven’s J/99 THIN MAN with a 1-3 for 4 pts. Close racing those two!
PHRF 8 SpinWinning this class was Rodney Johnstone’s next design after the J/24- a J/30! It was Denis Lafarge’s MIDNIGHT RIDER- PMP STRATEGY that posted two bullets for 2 pts to take the win! Congratulations!
American YC Fall Regatta resultshttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/50455

(Lorient, France)- The Centre Nautique de Lorient in Lorient, France, hosted the classic early fall regatta in the summer-long series of the J/80 French Cup- the Atlantic Telegramme Regatta. Eighteen teams participated in this year’s weekend event, which was punctuated by predominantly light airs. Here is Ludovic Gilet’s report on the regatta.
“The races were beautiful and hard-fought, driven by an ever-friendly atmosphere on land, within the Sailing Valley.
Sailing conditions ranged from medium to strong winds, with a very nice end to the day on Saturday and an equally pleasant Sunday.
It was a regular in the series, a local on the stage, who won in the light-weather races: Éric Brezellec on MOJITO. Sailing with him was a historic crew of friends- Alicia Vincent, Alexis Aveline, Marie Liger, and Matthieu Legard.
The podium was completed by:2nd- GRIOTTE- sailed by the young crew of Matéo Poudens-Provost that included Mateo Loudens-Provost, Mathis Denis, Nolan Da Silva, and Leonard Fury.3rd- MARINE BREST 10- skippered by Mael Rescue with crew of Charles DuBoeuf, Emeric Lacroix, Andrea de Giorgi, and Enora Percheron.
Just behind in 4th place was a perennial contender- Patrick Bot on ECOLE NAVALE LECAPONTON- with his crew of Frederic Hauville, Fabrice Morin, and Lily Reece. Then, rounding out the top five was Julien Le Granvalet’s INTERFACE CONCEPT, with a crew of Damien Fortini, Stephane Brouillet, and Aurelien Leduque.
A special word to welcome back to the regatta our friend Christophe Montoriol and his crew, as well as that of Anne Pruvot Debreu on EROS.
For more J/80 Atlantic Telegramme sailing informationhttps://www.classej80france.com/

(Annapolis, MD)- The 2025 J/88 North American Championship, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club, enjoyed very competitive racing for the dozen teams that sailed on the northern reaches of Chesapeake Bay. In the end, one team came ready to “play ball” and nearly ran the table with all bullets, an amazing achievement in the tough J/88 class. As a result, it was John Bell and Ray Wulff’s HIWASSEE that were crowned the 2025 J/88 North American Champions. Here is the summary from four days of racing by Annapolis YC PRO Dick Neville.
Racing began Thursday in strong conditions, with Race 1 featuring significant shifts. With MarkSetBots in use for the Championship, the Race Committee was able to square the course each leg after the first beat, ensuring fair racing despite the moving wind. The day wrapped with three races in solid breeze, where John Bell and Ray Wulff’s HIWASSEE dominated with three straight bullets.
Friday delivered lighter air and more tactical racing, with three additional races completed. Conditions proved challenging, and the two Chicago boats- Lindsey Duda’s SIN DUDAD and John & Jordan Leahey’s DUTCH- pushed HIWASSEE harder, though the Bell/Wulff team again finished the day on top.
Saturday began under postponement before two light-air races were completed. An ebb tide made for difficult choices as less current to the left battled more pressure to the right, frustrating tacticians across the fleet. SIN DUDA and HIWASSEE traded 1–2 finishes, leaving the series poised for a close finale.
Sunday’s forecast did not bring relief, with sunshine but only 3–5 knots from 010° over a lumpy sea state. With no signs of improvement, the Race Committee called racing and moved to an early awards ceremony.
The winning HIWASSWEE team was comprised of skipper Ray Wulff, John Bell, Quantum Sails PRO Scott Nixon, Dan Cameron, Jamie Gilman (coached by Stu J when living in Wilmette, IL), and starlet Ashley Love of video fame. That was quite a talented team, a bit like bringing a submachine gun to a knife fight!
The balance of the podium was comprised of two very talented Chicago teams. Taking the silver medal was Lindsey Duda’s SIN DUDA, with nearly as much talent as the winners. Lindsey’s team was comprised of Zac Hernandez, Tyler Woodworth, Kyle Vowels, Nathan Hollerbach, and Abie McLaughlin.
The bronze medal spot was decided by a tiebreaker at 30 pts each. Winning the bronze medal on the count back was John & Jordan Leahey’s DUTCH with crew of Kris Werner, Hunter Ratliff, Dan Burns, Mike Rusin, and Vincent Yannelli. Yet another very experienced team.
The balance of the top five included Dave Dennison’s PIRANHA from Wisconsin in fourth and Jack McGuire’s MI-2 from Annapolis in fifth place.
How competitive was this fleet for the 2025 J/88 NAs? Well, three past J/88 NA Champions finished 7th, 8th, and 9th- Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION, Andy Graff’s EXILE, and Chris & Liz Chadwick’s CHURCH KEY, respectively.
Corinthian DivisionSix of the twelve teams qualified as Corinthian teams. Winning was Dennison’s PIRANHA team from Chicago with 30 pts, second was William Purdy’s WHIRLWIND from Long Island Sound with 35 pts, and taking third was Andy Graff’s EXILE team from Chicago with 43 pts.
The Annapolis Yacht Club thanks PRO Dick Neville, the Race Committee, shoreside staff, and the many volunteers for their dedication and professionalism throughout the event. Special appreciation goes to sponsors for their vital support: – Quantum Sails – Title Sponsor – North Point Yacht Sales – Navy Stadium Parking – LMND Hydration
The 2025 J/88 North American Championship highlighted the talent and sportsmanship of the J/88 Class, delivering three days of competitive racing and showcasing the fleet’s depth across both the overall and Corinthian divisions.
Sailing photo credits: Wilbur Keyworth Photographyhttps://www.keyworthphotography.com/Photos-By-Events/2025-Sailing-Events/2025-J88-DAY-2-edits
For more J/88 North American Championship sailing informationhttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/17012

(Blacksburg, Germany)- The christening of two brand new J/40s recently took place at Hanseatische Yachtschule in Glücksburg, Germany. The weekend ceremony celebrated the 100th anniversary of Deutscher Hochseeportverband Hansa (DHH). The new J/40s will be part of the offshore cruising and daysailing programs starting in the summer of 2026. They’re joining a large fleet of J/80s that are also used for sailing instruction.
The DHH– Europe’s largest yacht school!The DHH and its yacht schools have been the first port of call in Germany for sailing instruction since 1925. True to the association’s slogan “Learn to sail properly,” there are no “crash courses” here. Around 25 permanent DHH employees and several hundred seasonal sailing instructors from among the members have one goal: to train you to become a safe sailor.
For the 16,000-plus members and water sports enthusiasts from many nations, the DHH offers courses for all sailing licenses, motorboat licenses, correspondence courses, sailing holidays, school trips, yacht and skipper training, and crewed sailing trips in many sailing areas worldwide.
The DHH operates its yacht schools in Glücksburg on the Baltic Sea and in Prien am Chiemsee. There are no “club barriers” here. Anyone who wants to learn to sail here simply registers and applies for membership at the same time. Everyone is welcome!
For more Hanseatische Yachtschule/ DHH informationhttps://www.dhh.de/
J/80 German Open AnnouncementMany of the graduates of the Hanseatische Yachtschule also sail J/80s, as they are part of the school’s training boats and curriculum. Some of them will be sailing on the weekend of October 3-5 in the J/80 German Open. That regatta will take place at Deutscher Touring Yacht Club in Tutzing, Germany!
For more German J//80 Class sailing informationhttp://www.j80.de