J/Newsletter- May 14th, 2026

J/70s sailing on Lake Starnberg, Germany

Across Europe and North America, the spring sailing season is in full stride, with J/Teams finding success in nearly every racing format—one-design, club leagues, women’s events, offshore sprints, and long-distance classics. The breadth of activity from Italy’s Gulf of Poets to the Solent, and from Bavarian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Swiss lakes to Long Island Sound and San Francisco Bay, highlights the depth and reach of the international J/sailing community.

The J/70 class continues to drive much of that momentum. In Italy, the Lerici stop of the Italian J/70 Cup delivered tactical racing in unsettled conditions, while the UK Grand Slam Series saw JELVIS continue its hot streak on the Solent with a commanding performance. Across northern Europe, the national sailing leagues were equally active, with German, Swedish, Norwegian, and Swiss women’s league teams all opening or advancing their seasons in the J/70. Together, those events highlighted one of the year’s strongest themes: club-based, short-course racing continues to grow in both quality and intensity.

Meanwhile, the one-design and offshore fleets kept the season’s broader narrative moving. First, J/80 sailors gathered in Saint-Cast for a competitive French Grand Prix; then J/Teams collected silverware at the Stellendam Regatta in the Netherlands. Next, American crews once again proved their depth in spring distance racing at Larchmont Yacht Club’s historic Edlu Race. On San Francisco Bay, the J/105 Women’s Skipper Invitational added another important chapter to the growth of women-led racing. Looking ahead, the upcoming Helga Cup and Swiss J/70 Women’s Super League reinforce the same global trend.

Looking ahead, the calendar only gets bigger. The J/70 Corinthian World Championship in Marseille is set to welcome a maxed-out fleet of 95 teams from 22 nations, while major offshore events such as the RORC North Sea Race and Armen Race promise serious tests of seamanship, strategy, and endurance. Add in the J/70 Sailing Champions League qualifier on Lake Starnberg, Germany, and the J/22 European Championship in Scheveningen, The Netherlands, and the coming weeks offer a packed showcase of international J/sailing talent.

From alpine lakes to offshore courses, and from emerging women’s leagues to world championships, the season is gaining steam—J/crews are once again at the center of the action. Here is how it’s all unfolding in the global J/sailing world

TENZOR TEAM Tops Italian J/70 Cup in Lerici
(Lerici, Italy)– The Circolo Della Vela Erix hosted the second event of the Italian J/70 Cup series on the “Gulf of Poets” for a fleet of nineteen boats. The race course was tactically challenging amid unsettled weather. Here is how it all went down over the weekend of racing.

Day 1- Friday
Given the weekend’s uncertain forecasts, Principal Race Officer Riccardo Incerti decided to play it safe. He aimed to get as many races as possible “in the bank” before conditions worsened.

Taking the early lead was Andrey Pushkin’s TENZOR TEAM (scoring 3-1-1-3). Considered little more than an outsider heading into the event, the United Arab Emirates team proved both solid and fast, opening up significant leads over their rivals at times.

Attempting to challenge them were the French crew from EURO-VOILES (5-4-6-1). Led by Louis Barbet, they perfectly embodied the aggressive “Corinthian” role. They won the fourth race of the series and posted other strong results, securing them a spot near the top of the leaderboard overnight. READ MORE HERE

J/Teams Collect Silverware at SAILWORKZ-Stellendam Regatta 2026

(Stellendam, The Netherlands)- Stellendam Yacht Club hosted the Stellendam Regatta as the offshore sailing season opener for many classes in the Netherlands. For over seventeen years, this regatta has been sailed in the last week of April or the first of May on the Haringvliet in front of the Marina Stellendam. It has also become the season-opening party. Here, the sailors from the ORC and the one-design classes met again after the long winter seaso. READ MORE HERE

ESPOIRS SNBSM Dominates J/80 Grand Prix Saint-Cast

(St. Cast, France)- The Grand Prix Saint-Cast last weekend brought together a 24-boat fleet of J/80s from all over France, hosted by the Center Nautique Saint-Cast. Some of those crews came from Toulon and others from the north of France. In addition, there were several teams from the various French naval schools sailing the regatta as part of their training to be French Naval officers.

Over the three-day weekend, the Centre Nautique St Cast Race Committee and PRO managed to run seven races in a variety of conditions. The wind gradually picked up throughout the weekend to reach around fifteen knots for the last race of the series. READ MORE HERE

NRV Tops German J/70 Sailing League Act II
(Starnberg, Germany)- The Bayerischer Yacht Club hosted thirty-six German sailing clubs for the second event of the 2026 German J/70 Sailing League. The racing took place on the gorgeous Lake Starnberg, located southwest of Munich in the magnificent Bavarian Alps region.

After the first day of sailing with six races in 8-10 kts of wind, the weather Gods on Lake Starnberg were not very accommodating for the remainder of the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the wind failed to materialize, leaving the standings after the first day to be the final results READ MORE HERE

Oxelösund Segelsallskap Leads Swedish J/70 Sailing League
(Kalmar, Sweden)- The first act of the year in the Swedish Allsvenskan Sailing 2026 was held from May 8-10 in Kalmar. The competition was hotly contested on the water as always. However, onshore festivities featured a close collaboration with Kalmar WaterExpo, which offered a weekend filled with inspiration, exhibitions, and activities about life on, in, and by the water. The event was held in the Sylvanderparken, centrally located in Kalmar, a short walk from the railway station and the city center.

Allsvenskan Sailing is a competition series for Swedish sailing clubs that was introduced in 2015. An Allsvenskan season consists of four acts, each featuring many short, intense races held over three days. The races are judged directly by judges on the course. The events are broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook with commentary, analysis, and reports. Here is what went down on the waters off Kalmar. READ MORE HERE.

J/70s sailing on Lake Thunersee in Spiez, Switzerland

Thunersee Yachtclub Leads Swiss J/70 Women’s Super League
(Spiez, Switzerland)- The first of many Swiss J/70 Women’s Super League regattas took place this past weekend on the gorgeous Lake Thunersee high in the Swiss Alps. Eleven teams were hosted by the Yacht Club Spiez on a weekend full of fun and great racing. A sunny Saturday and windy Sunday enabled the YC Spiez RC/PRO team to run nine races for the sixty-plus women sailors participating over the weekend. READ MORE HERE.

J/70s saling UK Grand Slam on Solent, England

JELVIS Repeats @ J/70 UK Grand Slam II
(Hamble, England)- The Royal Thames Yacht Club in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, hosted the second act of the 2026 J/70 UK Grand Slam Series. Twenty-three teams enjoyed both first-class hosts and first-class racing on the Solent immediately in front of the famous “Castle” at the opening of Cowes Harbor- the Royal Yacht Squadron. The expert RTYC RC/PRO team fired off seven great races in simply awesome sailing conditions all weekend. READ MORE HERE.

Tønsberg Seilforening Leads Norwegian J/70 Sailing League
(Moss, Norway)- The first act of the season for the Norwegian J/70 Sailing League took place in Moss, hosted by the Moss Sailing Club. Sixteen sailing clubs from across Norway attended the weekend regatta and enjoyed sailing a total of nine races each!

The first day of racing started off with a little rain and a good breeze, which didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits or enthusiasm to get out on the water for the season’s first regatta. Then, on Sunday, the sun came out for a gorgeous day on the water, much to the delight of the 75+ sailors participating on the various teams.

The battle for the top of the leaderboard played out all weekend between the top two teams- Tønsberg Seilforening and Oslofjorden Seilklubb. Both teams had assembled new, stronger teams to represent their clubs, and that talent and practice showed up in the results, as they replaced some of the veteran clubs accustomed to reigning supreme at the top of the leaderboard. READ MORE HERE.

J/Crews Collect Silver at The Edlu Distance Race
(Larchmont, NY)- Larchmont Yacht Club’s annual distance race, The Edu, took place last weekend in somewhat difficult weather conditions. With a start off the breakwater at Larchmont Harbor, the course went to Eaton’s Neck and back, a distance of approximately 32.3 nm. The Edlu had both ORC and PHRF divisions.

As the 71st anniversary of this historic race approaches, the early spring timing usually means sporty winds and thrilling competition. For the various participants, the race was also viewed as a tune-up for the Block Island Race and, for some, the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race.

As has been the case in many previous editions of The Edlu, the J/Teams faired quite well across the board in the various ORC and PHRF Divisions. Here is how it all went down during this “offshore sprint,” which took most boats about 5-6 hours. READ MORE HERE.

Carapiet Eclipses J/105 Women’s Skipper Regatta
(San Francisco, CA)- The St. Francis Yacht Club held its annual J/105 Women’s Skipper Invitational this past weekend on its fleet of J/105s. Nine women’s skippers took up the challenge to learn more about racing on the gorgeous San Francisco Bay. In a low-key atmosphere, a total of four races were sailed over the weekend. The outcome for this year’s event was surprising to many veteran women sailors on the Bay. READ MORE HERE.

J/70 Corinthian Worlds Set for Record Fleet in Marseille
(Marseille, France)- The Union Nautique Marseilles will soon be hosting 95 teams (max entries!) for the 2026 edition of the J/70 Corinthian World Championship- from May 23rd to 30th, 2026. The regatta will take place on the picturesque bay, famous for its regular summer seabreezes. Since the city is basically in the foothills of the French Alps, where they descend into the sea, the mountains heating up generate significant winds at times… a bit like the phenomenon on Lake Garda at the northern end of the lake surrounded by tall mountains.

The 95 teams hail from a record 22 nations; AUS(3), BEL(2), BER(1), BRA(1), DEN(5), ESP(1), EST(1), FRA(28), GBR(8), GER(7), HUN(4), IRL(1), ITA(2), MEX(1), MON(4), NED(1), NOR(1), POL(1), SUI(14), SWE(4), TUR(2), and USA(3). READ MORE HERE.

RORC North Sea Race Set for Offshore Challenge
(Cowes, England)- The world’s largest offshore racing series, the RORC Season’s Points Championship, continues on 15 May. First raced in 1931, the RORC North Sea Race is one of the Club’s longest-standing offshore races, linking the UK and the Netherlands. Starting from outside the Royal Harwich Yacht Club across a demanding 165.0nm North Sea course, the race finishes off Scheveningen, Netherlands.

The North Sea Race is a serious offshore test with strong tides, sandbanks, commercial traffic, wind farms, and shifting North Sea weather all playing their part. Crews must balance tidal strategy, VMG/VMC, and boat speed while negotiating restricted areas and shipping lanes. Key decision points include the sandbanks near the start, the approach to Smith’s Knoll, and the complexity of the finish off the Dutch coast. READ MORE HERE.

J/40 performance cruiser sailing Armen Race

J/Teams Ready for 2026 Armen Race Offshore Challenge
(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- The Société Nautique de La Trinité will be hosting nearly 200 yachts for its 16th edition of the Armen Race. The unique appeal of this major coastal race—highly prized by sailors with a passion for offshore adventure— lies in its openness to cruising sailboats crewed by both professionals and amateurs. The “Grand Parcours” (Long Course)—covering 350.0nm and involving two nights at sea—truly showcases the full scope of this grand event. There are a number of top French offshore teams sailing their “J’s” in the various IRC classes. READ MORE HERE.

J/70s racing SAILING Champions League on Lake Starnberg, Germany

J/70 SAILING Champions League Qualifier Heads to Starnberg
(Starnberg, Germany)- The J/70 SAILING Champions League (SCL) is set to embark on its 13th season. This coming weekend, eighteen teams from ten nations will gather at the Bayerischer Yacht-Club (BYC) on Lake Starnberg to compete for a spot in the World Final, held in Kiel, Germany, this October. At stake is the prestigious title of “Best Sailing Club of the Year”!

The Return of the Qualifier Format
Following a brief hiatus, the Qualifier format returns for 2026 to accommodate the league’s rapid international expansion. With the successful 2024 launch of the American Sailing League and the continued growth of national leagues worldwide, the demand for starting spots has reached an all-time high. In Starnberg, the second- and third-placed teams (and nominees) from the 2025 national leagues of Austria, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Poland will face off. The top five finishers will secure their tickets to the SCL Final in Kiel, where they will meet national champions and elite teams from the USA and Asia-Pacific. READ MORE HERE.

J/22s sailing European Championship off Scheveningen, Netherlands

J/22 Europeans Set for Scheveningen Showdown
(Scheveningen, Netherlands)- Seventeen teams are set to do battle for the title of 2026 J/22 European Champion. Hosted by the Jachtclub Scheveningen, the teams can expect amazing hospitality ashore and professionally executed race management by YC Scheveningen’s RC/PRO team and support boats!

Four nations are participating in this year’s J/22 Europeans- France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Familiar faces will be present on the starting line, with a number of veterans participating this year. READ MORE HERE.

Women J/70 sailors racing Helga Cup in Hamburg, Germany

J/70 Helga Cup 2026 Set for Hamburg’s Alster Lake
(Hamburg, Germany)- For nine years, the Helga Cup in Hamburg, Germany, has shown how it’s done: the world’s largest women’s sailing regatta- almost 80 crews from 11 nations, from Olympic winners to outright beginners.

The regatta is sailed in a fleet of J/70 one-design sailboats on Hamburg’s beautiful Alster Lake for four unforgettable days of sailing, competition, and celebration. The event will take place from June 11th to 14th, 2026. READ MORE HERE.

J/Boats Ready for California Offshore Race Week 2026
(San Francisco, CA)- California Offshore Race (CORA) week will start on Memorial Day weekend in San Francisco and finish in San Diego. The week will comprise three separate races with an overall winner for boats competing in all three. Overall, it is one of the longest races in California, and J/Boats are always very well represented.

The first of the 3 races- the Spinnaker Cup- will start on May 23rd in San Francisco and finish in Monterey (90.0nm down the coast) with sixty-three boats competing. READ MORE HERE.

Women J/70 sailors racing off Hamburg, Germany

Gender Equality in Sailing Remains Stalled
(Hamburg, Germany)- Three out of four female sailors are convinced there is a lack of equality in the sport of sailing. This and more is revealed in the “2×25 Review” study published by The Magenta Project. As part of this study, 2,500 participants were surveyed regarding how the issue of equality in sailing has evolved over the past five years.

The international organization dedicated to promoting women in sailing, the “Magenta Project”— in collaboration with partners such as World Sailing and 11th Hour Racing— has utilized its “2×25 Review” to assess whether the recommendations it issued in 2019 for greater equality in the sport of sailing have, in fact, borne fruit.

The result:
The study’s findings suggest that very little has changed; the perceived progress appears to be largely superficial. Tangible positive changes—particularly within professional sailing—are often driven solely by the initiative of specific individuals, rather than being firmly embedded within the system itself. READ MORE HERE.

J/Gear May Special- 20% off!

The J Sail Plan Polo comes with the J Class logo on the front and corresponding sail plan on the back. This long sleeve polo is a nice crew shirt for competition or relaxing. Durable and comfortable.

Specifications:
– 5 oz./yd² / 172 gsm (US), 8.4 oz/Lyd (CA), 100% polyester face plaited to 60/40 polyester/cotton back (total overall garment 61/39 polyester/cotton)
– Proprietary dual-sided mesh pique knit constructed of fine denier wicking polyester on the outside and soft-as-cotton wicking blend on the inside
– Moisture-wicking performance
– UPF 39 protection
– Luxury, comfort and performance in one
– Active fit
– Matching flat-knit collar
– Three-button placket with dyed-to-match buttons
– Side vents

Order your J/Sail plan polo here – CLICK HERE

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