Brilliant Opening to J/24 European Championship

(Howth, Ireland)— On the opening day, August 30th, 2022, thirty-four J/24s sailed two races in winds of 6-10 knots to open to 2022 J/24 European Championship, hosted by Howth Yacht Club in Ireland.  

Six nations are represented: Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and the United States. American Kurt Dammeier, with newly crowned J/24 World Champion Mike Marshall on the crew, took AMUSE BOUCHE to the early advantage with a pair of thirds for 6 points. James Torr’s MAJIC from Great Britain kept consistent on the day with a 4-5 for 9 points and second place. Fellow American Denny Vaughan on EASY STREET holds third place at 11 points.

Comprising the top three of the 21-boat Corinthian Division are Torr’s MAJIC, the Greek team of Konstantinos Tridimas & Kynthia Skotida on J-MANIA (GRE), and David Hale’s British crew on CACCOON (GBR).

Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted competitors for the 11:00 AM start to the Championship. Vaughan’s EASY STREET earned the regatta’s first bullet, trailed by Louis Mulloy’s HEADCAE (IRL) and Dammeier’s AMUSE BOUCHE. Hale’s CACOON snagged the next victory, ahead of the KINSAILOR Team from Kinsale Yacht Club (IRL), and again Dammeier’s AMUSE BOUCHE in third.

Racing continues through Saturday, September 3rd, and 10 total races are planned.  For lots of photos, go to the J/24 Class Facebook here.   Complete J/24 European Championship results here.