J/Boats News & Reviews

Welcome to another thrilling edition of the J/Newsletter with sailing updates from around the world! The competition on the water has been intense over the past few weeks, with sailors from around the world vying for top honors. From the stunning shores of Palma Mallorca in Spain, where the prestigious Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds is underway, to the iconic San Francisco Bay, which played host to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series, J/Teams have shown their prowess across a variety of challenging conditions. As we sail into the next few weeks, we’re looking ahead to the much-anticipated ORC World Championship in Newport, RI, and the exciting announcement of the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship in 2025. With world-class venues and fierce competition, the spirit of sailing is alive and well— so let’s dive into the latest results and preview what’s on the horizon!

Fall Boat Shows Calendar!
(Newport, RI)- Amazingly enough, the summer is coming to a close in the northern hemisphere. This summer seemed to simply fly by! Kids are back in school, family back to work. But, it’s also a time to dream about the future! Fall boat shows are about to begin in both Europe and the USA. Here are the highlights for you to consider in both places.
USA
Annapolis Sailboat Show- Annapolis. MD – October 10th to 14th, 2024This show will mark the USA debut of the extraordinary NEW J/40 performance cruising yacht. An exciting collaboration between J/Boats design team, J/Composites in France, and an inspired interior design influenced by French designer Isabelle Racoupeau. In addition, there will be the J/9 daysailer, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht. 
J/45 Video by Mike Coe- Experience the Performance & Luxury!In Annapolis, MD, Mike Coe and 410 Films take us on an informative tour of the J/45 luxury performance offshore cruising yacht. Enjoy and watch it here on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNkSvCt6bs
For more Annapolis Sailboat Show information.
EUROPE
Grand Pavois- La Rochelle, France- October 3rd to 6th, 2024The La Rochelle boat show is one of the most enjoyable events for various reasons. First, La Rochelle is a famous French seaport renowned for its culture and amazing variety of restaurants, pubs, shopping, and nightclubs! Like Annapolis, this show will mark the European debut of the new J/40 offshore performance cruising yacht. In addition, the J/99 offshore shorthanded racer, the J/112E offshore performance yacht, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht will be on display.. For more Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show information
Valencia Boat Show- Valencia, Spain- October 23rd to 27th, 2024At this spectacular marina that was significantly updated for the America’s Cup back in the AC75 days will be the 2024 Valencia Boat Show. On display will be the J/99 offshore shorthanded speedster that has been the stuff of legend in its short history of sailing across the world’s oceans. Learn more about it at the show!  For more Valencia Boat Show information

Americans Leading Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds! 
(Palma Mallorca, Spain)- The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds, currently being held in Palma Mallorca from September 13th to 22nd by the Real Club Nautico de Palma has seen extremely competitive sailing over the first few days.
97 boats are sailing in the competition, from 25 different countries: Argentina (4), Australia (5), Austria (1), Bermuda (1), Brazil (6), Canada (1), Cayman Islands (1), Denmark (1), Spain (12), Estonia (1), Finland (2), France (3), Great Britain (7), Germany (2), Italy (5), Mexico (2), Monaco (4), Netherlands (2), Norway (2), Portugal (4), Switzerland (5), Sweden (4), Turkey (3), Uruguay (2), and USA (17). 
The early favorites in the competition, such as Charles Thompson’s BRUTUS II from the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Great Britain, and the American team Richard Witzel’s ROWDY from the Chicago Yacht Club, past J/70 World Champion Joel Ronning’s CATAPULT from the Wayzata Yacht Club, Douglas Rastello’s GOOD TO GO from Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and Brian Keane’s SAVASANA from Beverly Yacht Club are all in the top 15 places.
There are several surprises for those J/70 aficionados who participate worldwide and have a good understanding of the top teams. First, the Brazilians are killing it! They have three teams in the top 12: Ralph Vasconcellos Rosa’s MINDSET in 2nd place, Haroldo Solberg’s OCEANPACT in 7th place, and Bruno Bethlem’s ARETE in 12th. 
Next, the somewhat shocking performance and the biggest surprise for everyone is the current leader, the American team of Doug Newhouse & Jeremy Wilmot on YONDER! They are enjoying a 15-point lead going into the penultimate day and have led the regatta since the first day!
Another shocker is the lack of performance at the top of the leaderboard by the top Italian and Spanish teams.. all with multiple World Champions sailing their boats! The top Spanish team is Luis Albert’s PATAKIN in 13th place! And, no Italians in the top 20 places!
The provisional top five on Friday includes Newhouse/ Wilmot’s YONDER in first with 44 pts, the Brazilian MINDSET in second with 59 pts, Bryce Kalow’s KID’S TABEL team from USA in third with 63 pts, Rich Witzel’s ROWDY from the USA in fourth with 66 pts, and the British team of Charles Thompson & Tom Mallindine on BRUTUS II with 67 pts. No doubt, it’s going to be a shootout at the “OK Corral” for the podium between these four teams on the final day separated by just 8 pts. Considering that all teams have had “rollercoaster” scores since the start of the regatta, it does present the possibility of a USA clean sweep of the podium!
Currently, winning the provisional standings in the Corinthian Division and hoping to achieve his stated goal about a year ago is Bermudian Alec Cutler on HEDGEHOG sailing with his US Naval Academy sailing teammates from decades ago!
And, winning the provisional standings in the One Pro Division is the Australian VAMOS team led by Tim Ryan.
Day 1With the first two races completed, Douglas Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot’s YONDER team from Newport, RI USA was leading the overall provisional results ahead of two Brazilian teams: Bruno Bethlem’s ARETE and Ralph Vasconcellos’ MINDSET.
It was a great start for the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds. With a 1-7, the Newhouse/Wilmot team on YONDER was the first leader overall during a day that was marked by extremely inconsistent finishes for most of the fleet.
With about nine knots of wind from the northeast, the race committee blew the first starting horn just fifteen minutes late, at 11:45 am. After nearly an hour and a half of intense competition, it was YONDER from the New York Yacht Club that took the win ahead of Douglas Rastrello’s GOOD TO GO from Newport Harbor YC. Third place in this first race of the World Championship went to a Spanish team, Luis Albert’s PATAKIN from the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
The second and last race of the day started around 1430 hrs with a wind that, although more unstable, was increasing in intensity up to twelve knots in the race course of the Bay of Palma.
Charles Thomson’s British BRUTUS II, sailing under the Royal Southern YC flag, and coming from 23rd place in the opening race, did not forgive and managed to score his first victory in the second race. The current class world champion was followed by Brazilian Bruno Bethlem’s ARETE from the IC Rio de Janeiro and American Laura Grondin´s DARK ENERGY of the New York Yacht Club, second and third, respectively.
With these results and after a day marked by the irregularity of the fleet, YONDER became the first provisional leader. The provisional podium was completed by ARETE in second place after scoring 14-2. The third goes to the  Brazilian MINDSET with a 15-4. 
Day 2Rastello’s GOOD TO GO was the best of the second day of competition and Newhouse’s YONDER held the lead for the second consecutive day.After finishing the first day of competition, the race committee decided to bring forward the start of Wednesday’s races by half an hour. They set the first starting signal for 1100 hrs with the expectation that the wind would diminish as the hours went by. The decision was correct, and with conditions between eight and twelve knots from the northeast, the third round of the racing program began on time.The wind held out long enough to complete a single and complicated race in which the fleet had to do its best to take advantage of every gust and try to make as few mistakes as possible. Rastello’s GOO TO GO from Newport Harbor YC was the best, achieving a first place that allowed him to move up to fourth place with a 2-29-1 record on his scoreboard.In Rastello’s words, “We’re feeling pretty good, but in this regatta, you can get a first, a second, or a 29th and that’s the essence of sailing in big fleets, that when you think you’ve got it mastered you get a 20th. So who knows, we’re 30% of the way through the regatta and there’s still a long way to go, it’s going to be interesting.”Behind, a great performance of Spaniard Albert’s PATAKIN to cross the finish line in second position. A brilliant result with which the boat of the Real Club Náutico de Palma climbs seven positions and is sixth in the provisional overall, waiting to be able to discard a 34th score yesterday to enter the fight for the podium.Meanwhile, the third place in today´s race went to another USA team, Dick Kalow’s SUPERIOR 1 of Wayzata YC in Minnesota.“Today has been a complicated day with a wind from the shore that was dying little by little,” said the Mallorcan Joan Cardona, a crew member of PATAKIN, on his arrival at the pontoons of the RCNP. “After a good start, we have been able to sail well and get a solid result that brings us up to sixth place, so we are looking forward to continue fighting this week, which is still a long way to go.”With these results, the overall ranking continues to be led by Newhouse/Wilmot’s YONDER, which continues to be the most consistent of the fleet. With a 1-7-7 record, the New York YC crew has a thirteen-point lead over the second-placed crew, which is now Thompson’s British BRUTUSU II of the Royal Southern YC after a fourth-place finish. They are fifteen points ahead of Brazilian Vasconcellos’ MINDSET of IC Rio de Janeiro, which is in third place.
Day 3 The Newhouse/ Wilmot team held the top of the leaderboard after the discard had been applied, just one point ahead of second-placed Brazilian MINDSET, and five ahead of third-placed USA team Rich Witzel’s ROWDY. 
A long day in the bay of Palma for the almost one hundred boats competing in the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds. Although the wind didn’t make it easy in this third round of the event organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) and the J70 International Association, the fleet was able to add two new races in their scoreboards that allowed one discard and leaves the fight for the title red-hot.It was time to wake up early on the third day of the World Championship. To make the most of the early morning breeze, the fleet docked out the RCNP after 0900 hrs with the first start scheduled for 1030 hrs. After canceling the first race just after the start due to an abrupt change in the wind direction, the teams were able to tackle the third round of the championship shortly after 1100 hrs with eight knots of north-easterly breeze.As in the previous races, the fleet was once again irregular and the first three places were shared by three teams that were outside the top ten: Laura Grondin’s USA DARK ENERGY, Swedish Flip Engelbert’s ELVIS, and Brazilian Haroldo Solberg’s OCEANPACT.With the first race of the day concluded the race committee was forced to raise the postponement flag and wait for the arrival of the longed-for thermal wind from the Bay of Palma. After repositioning the race course and with conditions now between 11-14 kts from the south, the fleet was back in action with the starting gun at 1515 hrs for the second race.On this occasion, the victory went to John Heaton’s EMPEIRIA. Fellow Chicagoan Rich Witzel’s ROWDY was second, followed by the Brazilian MINDSET in third place.With a total of five races on the scoreboard, the third day’s leaderboard changed dramatically, since the discard race came into play. 
The Newhouse/ Wilmot YONDER team had a 23-17, but held onto their lead. They led by one point over second-placed IC Rio de Janeiro’s MINDSET and five points over Witzel’s ROWDY in third place. Behind them, four other teams were in the hunt for the win, with only nine points separating the top six teams.Day 4The American YONDER team, led by Newhouse/ Wilmot continued leading the championship and increased their advantage by 15 points over the second-place team. 
The penultimate and exciting day with all eyes on the final classification. The fleet has begun to line up given their final assault on the final day.  A prediction of southerly winds with an intensity building from ten knots meant that the Race Committee once again gathered the fleet on Friday at the initial time of 1130 hrs. The teams left the dock punctually and after a first postponement on the race course, waiting for the wind to stabilize, the penultimate day of competition kicked off on the Bay of Palma for the challengers for the title.Ritzel’s ROWDY, who yesterday achieved a podium position in third place, was able to take command and claim victory in the first race. Consequently, that relegated the Newhouse/Wilmot YONDER team to second place after they finished 10th!
Second and third places in the race went to fellow Americans, Bryce Kalow’s KIDS TABLE, and the Brazilians on Renato Faria’s TO NESSA.In the second race, the challengers for the podium, aware of running out of time for the finale, increased their efforts to place themselves as high as possible on the leaderboard. Triumph in this case went to the world title defenders, British team Charles Thompson and Tom Mallindine’s BRUTUS II ahead of YONDER in second and KIDS TABLE in third.With these results, the penultimate day of the worlds finished again with YONDER leading. The boat from New York YC is without a doubt the favorite team to claim victory as World Champions on Saturday. They have increased their advantage by 15 points over the second-place team, the Brazilian MINDSET from IC Río de Janeiro. They are 19 pts ahead of the American KIDS TABLE from Wayzata YC, who are currently occupying the bronze medal step. So far, they had by far the best one-day record for the Worlds, a remarkable 2-3 to win the day!!“We are competing well. It is proving to be very intense and competitive. Quite frankly, we are fortunate to be where we are right now,” explained Douglas Newhouse, skipper of the leading team. “Palma is incredible and the club even more so, really open to everyone. We have had a fabulous welcome here,” he added.On Saturday, the 97 teams from 25 nations will face the finale with two races planned, with everything to be decided, and weather conditions predicting rain for practically the entire day. Given the “chutes & ladders” results experienced by every team in the regatta, don’t be surprised by unexpected outcomes for all teams in the top 10!  For more J/70 World Championship sailing information

J/111s & J/109s Enjoy Excellent Racing at RORC Vice Admirals Cup!
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Solent racing season came to a conclusion with the Vice Admiral’s Cup with two days of windward-leeward and tight round-the-can races. High pressure dominated the weather conditions, with early autumn sunshine providing brilliant sunshine. On Both days the racing schedule was delayed allowing a sea breeze to fill and it was worth the wait. Five superb races were run for all classes in up to 15 knots of wind.
J/109 ClassIt was Stephen Davis’ JEROBOAM that found their fifth gear and scored four race wins to win the class by three points from Rob Cotterill’s MOJO RISIN. Chris Burleigh’s JYBE TALKIN was third.
J/111 ClassThe J/111 one-design class went right to the wire. Cornel Riklin’s JITTERBUG was the winner by a single point from Tony & Sally Mack’s McFLY. Louise Makin and Chris Jones’ JOURNEYMAKER II was third.
Thank you to all the Race Team for organizing a great regatta,” commented Cornel Riklin on JITTERBUG. “We had some incredibly close racing with a couple of races decided by one or two seconds and the whole class finishing within a minute or two.” For more RORC Vice Admiral’s Cup sailing information

Awesome, Epic Rolex Big Boat Series!

J/Teams Sweep Top Five- ORC C Division!(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, the iconic San Francisco Bay, lived up to its reputation for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11th to 15th, 2024. 
The regatta attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to St. Francis Yacht Club. There was a strong turnout in the J/88 and J/105 one-design classes. And, a good turnout of J/Teams in the ORC divisions.
Breeze-on conditions brought out the best skills and tactics for podium winners.
Right on cue, San Francisco Bay rolled out the most demanding conditions for sailors at the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club. A steady 15-20 knots during the first race on Thursday continued to build through Sunday for pure thrills and some spills for the boats competing. Challenging windward-leeward courses allowed for ample tacking duels from the eastern end of the Bay to outside the Golden Gate Bridge, with plenty of opportunities to upset the leaderboard during the downwind to the finish line in front of spectators at St. Francis Yacht Club. Sailors got what they came for world-class racing in a world-class venue. As noted by Chris Perkins, the 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and eight-time winner— this is what the Rolex Big Boat Series is all about.
“We’re extremely excited about how this week’s went. The weather was tremendous, and we’ve had three great days with a very windy fourth and final day. I am glad they only had one race today!” he said. “Long courses and strong winds are what the event is all about and the clubhouse has been full of spectators watching the racing. It’s been a fantastic regatta and a success on many levels. One of the special things about the past 60 years of this event is that it’s attracted some famous yachts from all over the world.”
J/105 ClassIn the 30-strong J/105 class, considered by many to be the most competitive in America, Ryan Simmons and his long-standing crew on BLACKHAWK took home a Rolex Submariner timepiece to go with his sixth RBBS win and his fourth as skipper. 11-points behind was second place NE*NE, helmed by Tim Russell. Rolf Kaiser and Justin Oberbauer, owners of DONKEY JACK, took third.
“While there wasn’t really a defining moment, we did have really good starts and for the most part going the right direction which really worked for us,” said Simmons. “Conditions were exactly what you would expect for Big Boat Series— high teens to low twenties with ebb chop. While we may have won by a good margin, it has not taken away from the incredible competition in this fleet. On Thursday, we had an amazing photo finish with Randy Hecht and his team on NIUHI and a memorable gybing duel with Tim Russell on NE*NE on Friday. Racing was very tight and very fun. We’ve had a great regatta.”
J/88 ClassIn the J/88 class, Mark Howe’s SPLIT WATER took first, a solid five points ahead of Tom Thayer and Robert Milligan’s SPEEDWELL. The third went to Brice Dunwoodie’s RAVENETTE.
“The combination of shorter windward/leewards in the morning and the Bay tours in the afternoon requires every aspect of tactics, boat handling, sail handling, and, most importantly, endurance,” said Howe. “Crisis management has been key; no boat has been without incident, but keeping a cool head and staying focused is important to overcoming challenges. I’m very proud of my crew; they’ve worked hard with heartfelt enthusiasm and stayed flexible and focused even when things went sideways.”
He and his crew were dually awarded the Pacific Yacht Club Association’s Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy, which rewards not just the skipper, but the crew as well, for excellence on the water.
ORC A DivisionIn this fleet of nine boats, Peter Wagner’s team on the J/111 SKELETON KEY finished third, just one point away from taking the silver medal. Andrew Picel’s J/125 ARSENAL finished in 5th place and Nesrin Basoz’s J/111 SWIFT NESS took 6th place.
ORC C Division- J/Teams Sweep Top 5!In this eleven-boat fleet, Zach Berkowitz’s J/100 FEATHER won by a robust 13.5-point delta over BACHANNAL, a J/133 owned by Ron Epstein. Barry Lewis racing his J/120 CHANCE finished in third.
“I’m pleased with our result,” said Berkowitz. “I have put a fair amount of work into the boat this year. We cut the rudder off by four inches, we bought a new jib, put more rake in the mast, and added some weight to the boat. It all paid off and the boat is going fast.”
Berkowitz added, “The new MarkSet Bots that the event is using are fantastic. They are spot on, the starting line is great, there are no postponements— it’s revolutionizing race management!”
The balance of the top five included David Halliwill’s J/120 PEREGRINE and John Arens’s J/109 REVERIE in 4th and 5th, respectively. Camille Moussette’s J/99 LATENCY ended up in 7th place. For more ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information

 

Upcoming Events

 

ORC World Championship Preview 

(Newport, RI)- This year’s ORC World Championship will be the first time in nearly a quarter century that sailing’s offshore world titles are decided on American waters. The last time was in 2000 when the New York Yacht Club hosted the IMS World Championship. The regatta will be run from September 27th to October 5th. Notably, the only foreign entry is from Poland. Several J/Teams are participating and it will be interesting to see how they compete against a wide variety of designs.
ORC A DivisionThis nineteen-boat fleet has three J/Teams participating. There are two J/133s- Steven Brownlie’s ASSARAIN IV and a local Rhode Island crew on VAMOOSE led by Bob Manchester from Barrington Yacht Club. Also sailing is Trevor Roach’s J/121 TOUCH OF GREY from Stamford, CT.
ORC B DivisionIn this eleven-boat fleet are four J/crews. Sailing are two hot J/122s; Tom Sutton’s bright red LEADING EDGE and Constantine Baris’s DIRE WOLF. Joining them are two highly competitive teams, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s J/111 FIREBALL and Al Minella’s J/112E THE ROCC. 
ORC C DivisionThis five-boat fleet will have the J/105 SLEEPER sailing with the NEKA Sailing Foundation crew of six from Glen Cove, New York. For more ORC World Championship sailing information

Inaugural 2025 J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship Announcement!

(Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy)- Circolo Vela Torbole has been selected to host the inaugural edition of the J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship. The event will be held in Torbole on Lake Garda,  Italy from June 26-29, 2025 for the fastest growing one-design Class worldwide, with close to 2,000 boats built in the past decade.
To understand what defines a Mixed-Plus team, it is sufficient to refer to Section I.11 of the J/70 Class Rules which specifies that “a crew shall consist of four or more persons and contain no more than two males over 18 years of age.”
In short, the only restriction is that a team may include no more than two men over the legal age. This allows a huge number of sailing team combinations. 
The Rule was introduced to encourage more participation for women in sailing, and this is still an overall goal of the J/70 International Class. Additionally, one of the key aims of this Rule is to create more opportunities for families and young sailors to join J/70 events.
It is precisely the flexibility of the Rule, allowing for a wide range of team combinations, that has sparked the interest of numerous boat owners. They have begun to explore alternative crew line-ups in hopes of being contenders in this eagerly awaited event.
“We were delighted to accept the J/70 International Class request to organize this inaugural international event, much like we did when entrusted with launching the J/70 Corinthian World Championship, which has since become a staple for the International Class. I am confident that the Mixed-Plus format, with its focus on family-oriented crews and greater female representation, could be the key to further accelerating the success of what is already recognized as the leading one-design keelboat class,” said Federico Siragna, President of the J/70 Italian Class.
“The new Mixed-Plus World Championship seeks to promote yet another dimension of J/70 sailing by providing our community with a new exciting opportunity for international racing and another great sailing experience”, said Vittorio Di Mauro, President of the J/70 International Class. “As a truly global one-design keelboat Class, we aim to provide sailing opportunities for all demographics, budgets, and abilities. From regular weekend club racing to an unprecedented three J/70 World Championships per year, on alternating continents, where you can meet and compete with some of the best keelboat sailors in the world… only the J/70 can do it on a global basis.” For more information on the International J/70 Class Association

J/Puma Jam Zip Top- September 20% Off Special
(Newport, RI)- The J/Puma Jam Zip Top is your choice for 3-season’s sailing. Perfect for your cruising or competitive crew. Light wieght but comfortable when the breeze kicks in. Easily stored and layered under jacket or vest. Performance Puma throughout..
Material:

4.94 oz., 100% polyester
moisture-wicking

Features:

4-way stretch
ultra-lightweight
contrast covered reverse coil zipper
silicone Puma Cat logo on left sleeve

Perfect zip top when customized with your yacht name and sail number.
Choose your appropriate J/Class logo. Customize with your yacht detail as an option.  Order your J/Puma Jam zip top here:

 

About J/Boats
The story of J/Boats is a classic entrepreneurial tale. With a $20,000 investment and a speedy 24-foot sailboat that Rod Johnstone built in his garage, Rod and his brother Bob Johnstone went into business in 1977. The boat they built, the J/24, has become the most popular recreational offshore keelboat in the world. The Johnstone family has made an undeniable mark on the sailing world. In addition to the 5,500 J/24s cruising the waves, there are over 9,500 more J/Boats, ranging from the International J/22 to the J/65, that sailing enthusiasts have bought at prices ranging from $10,000 to $2,000,000.  Read more

You can read Bob Johnstone’s 2023 memoir, “MAVERICK MARKETER”, which Gary Jobson described as “A compelling, page-turner, with uplifting, fascinating stories.” The memoir includes background on how J/Boats got started and how many of its designs were created. It is available in ebook, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook formats on Amazon.

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(Dublin, Ireland)- The 2nd edition of the J/Cup Ireland will take place 7th-8th September 2024 at the Royal Irish Yacht Club, which will be followed by the IRC European Championships the week after.

The regatta gives Irish J/Boat owners the chance to get involved in the J-Cup! The regatta will include 2 days of racing, daily prize-givings, and shore-side entertainment for all owners and crews. The regatta features one-design classes for J/109s, J/24s, and J/80s, plus an IRC Division for handicap racing. 
J/109 ClassA thirteen-boat fleet has registered for the J/109 class! Several of the class veterans are participating; including Chris Moore’s POWDER MONKEY, Pat Kelly’s STORM, John Smart’s JUKEBOX, James Peter Donegan’s JALAPENO, and Tom Shanahan’s RUTH. 
J/24 ClassThe J/24 class continues to enjoy fun participation by a core group of J/24 sailors. Eight teams are participating, including past Irish J/24 National Champions. Those teams include David Bailey’s HARD ON PORT, Colm O’Flaherty’s BLIND SQUIRREL, and Mark Usher’s HEDGEHOG. 
J/80 ClassThe J/80 class is also enjoying good participation by loyal J/80 sailors. Those teams include Conall O’Halloran’s  JITTERBUG, Pat O’Neill’s MOJO, and Martin Ryan’s JAMBIYA.
IRC DivisionEight boats will be looking forward to IRC handicap racing around government marks. Those teams include three J/99s (Davis Inglis’s MISTER OLLIE, Mike & Richard Evans’s SNAPSHOT, & David Lean’s JACKPOT); two J/122s (Peter Dunlop’s MOJITO and Chris & Patanne Power Smith’s AURELIA); and Johnny Treanor’s J/112E VALENTINA.  For more Northern Trust J/Cup Ireland regatta sailing information.

(Jamestown, RI)-The Around the Island Race (ATI) is the flagship sailing event of the Conanicut Yacht Club and the crown jewel of Narragansett Bay yacht racing. Held annually since 1927, the ATI sails the classic course around the scenic Conanicut Island, beneath the two iconic bridges (Jamestown & Newport), typically drawing close to 100 boats in both racing and cruising classes.

Despite overcast skies and intermittent sprinkles, the 97th Annual Around the Island Race delivered a day of exhilarating competition on the water. With seventy-three boats participating across nine staggered starts, the challenging 18.1nm course around Jamestown tested sailors’ skills and strategy, making for a race to remember.
The fleet featured a diverse range of sailboats, from J/22s to impressive 66-footers, each bringing its flavor to the competition.
Reflecting on the day’s conditions, Race Chair Peter Schott noted, “We were fortunate with the weather! The heavy rain held off and the breeze remained steady. The Race Committee executed the starts with precision, resulting in one of the most dynamic finishes in recent memory as the fleet condensed under the Newport Bridge.” Schott also highlighted the introduction of a MarkSetBot, a robotically controlled pin, which ensured perfectly aligned starts, a vital factor in managing the strong outgoing tide during the first leg of the course.
The race has always been popular with J/teams on Narragansett Bay, with dozens participating. Here’s how they faired in this fun, family-oriented face.
PHRF C DivisionIn this half-dozen boat fleet, Dan Borsutzky’s J/30 FLYING HIGH took home the bronze medal. Matt Dunbar’s J/22 WHARF RAT finished fourth and John Stokes’s J/24 FRAMBOISE placed fifth. 
PHRF E DivisionThis highly competitive eight-boat fleet saw Dawson & Ben Hodgson’s pretty J/100 GRIMACE take the silver medal. Meanwhile, Stephen Russell’s J/105 RIGADOON took fourth place.
PHRF F DivisionThis ten-boat fleet was a convincing win by Sean & Susan Doyle’s J/112E PHOENIX, winning by nearly four minutes on handicap time and taking 6th overall in the fleet! Taking the bronze medal was FJ Ritt’s J/35 SHAMROCK, followed by Bill Kneller’s J/109 VENTO SOLARE in fifth place.
PHRF H DivisionThis mostly J/Boats division saw Jack Gregg’s J/122 TARAHUMARA take the silver medal, while Tom Sutton’s J/122 LEADING EDGE took the bronze medal about 90 seconds later. Then, fourth was Mark Nannini’s J/120 SALACIA just 45 seconds behind!   For more Around Island Race sailing information.

(Breskens, Netherlands)- This past weekend, the Jachthaven Breskens hosted the very popular end-of-summer sailing season regatta- the Breskens Sailing Weekend. It’s a popular event for a few J/Boats teams in the Netherlands and Benelux. The regatta format is simply windward-leeward races just offshore of the harbor entrance.

ORC 1 DivisionSailing in this dozen-boat fleet, it was Rutger Krijger’s J/112E JACK RABBIT that handily won the class with 19.5 pts net in their seven-race series.
ORC 2 DivisionLeading a sweep of the top two spots in this thirteen-boat fleet was Jan Scholze’s J/99 WARP 5 with 14 pts net. Second place went to the experienced offshore team on Arjen van Leeuwin’s J/109 JOULE with 19.5 pts net.
ORC 3 DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet had two J/crews. Taking the silver medal was Rene van Quekelberghe’s J/97 JAI HO with 11.5 pts net, while Dimitri Vanvyve’s J/105 JUGGERNAUT ended up with the bronze medal with 18.5 pts net. For more Breskens Sailing Weekend information

“Sea Fever” 
A poem by John Masefield
    I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, 
    And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; 
    And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, 
    And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking, 
     
    I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide. 
    Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; 
    And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, 
    And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. 
     
    I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, 
    To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; 
    And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, 
    And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trek’s over.
Masefield’s remarkable poem is perhaps one of the most renowned expressions of a sailor’s passion and love for the sea. Freedom, adventure, and endless new experiences as Mother Nature dishes out yet another memorable experience. In the world of J/Boats, that adventure began with the launching of the first J/24 in 1976- Rod Johnstone’s garage-built RAGTIME— his proverbial “tall ship” seeking a star to steer her by. In the J/Community section below, there is a tribute to Rod and our newfound friends in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, founders of J/24 FLeet # 1! 
As we sail into the heart of the fall regatta season, the global sailing scene is buzzing with action. From thrilling championships to unforgettable regattas, J/Teams have dominated race courses worldwide, showcasing incredible skill and teamwork. 
In this edition of J/Newsletter, we celebrate remarkable victories, including the rise of AYACUCHO as the J/70 USA Corinthian National Champions and the wild success of MR BILL’S WILD RIDE at the J/35 North American Championship.
Looking ahead, the upcoming events promise even more excitement. All eyes are on Palma Mallorca as teams gear up for the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds in Spain, where the best sailors from 25 countries will compete. Meanwhile, the iconic Rolex Big Boat Series is set to light up San Francisco Bay, and there’s still time to join the fun at the American Yacht Club Fall Regatta on Long Island Sound. 

Fall Boat Shows Calendar!
(Newport, RI)- Amazingly enough, the summer is coming to a close in the northern hemisphere. This summer seemed to simply fly by! Kids are back in school, family back to work. But, it’s also a time to dream about the future! Fall boat shows are about to begin in both Europe and the USA. Here are the highlights for you to consider in both places.
USA
Newport Boat Show- Newport, RI – September 12th to 15th, 2024On the historic Newport waterfront at the Newport Yachting Center, on display will be the J/9 daysailer, the J/112E performance sport cruiser, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht! For more Newport Boat Show information
Annapolis Sailboat Show- Annapolis. MD – October 10th to 14th, 2024This show will mark the USA debut of the extraordinary NEW J/40 performance cruising yacht. An exciting collaboration between J/Boats design team, J/Composites in France, and an inspired interior design influenced by French designer Isabelle Racoupeau. In addition, there will be the J/9 daysailer, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht. For more Annapolis Sailboat Show information.
EUROPE
Grand Pavois- La Rochelle, France- October 3rd to 6th, 2024The La Rochelle boat show is one of the most enjoyable events for various reasons. First, La Rochelle is a famous French seaport renowned for its culture and amazing variety of restaurants, pubs, shopping, and nightclubs! Like Annapolis, this show will mark the European debut of the new J/40 offshore performance cruising yacht. In addition, the J/99 offshore shorthanded racer, the J/112E offshore performance yacht, and the J/45 offshore performance cruising yacht will be on display.. For more Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show information
Valencia Boat Show- Valencia, Spain- October 23rd to 27th, 2024At this spectacular marina that was significantly updated for the America’s Cup back in the AC75 days will be the 2024 Valencia Boat Show. On display will be the J/99 offshore shorthanded speedster that has been the stuff of legend in its short history of sailing across the world’s oceans. Learn more about it at the show!  For more Valencia Boat Show information

AYACUCHO Crowned J/70 USA Corinthian National Champions! 
(Cape May, NJ)- Last weekend, the Corinthian Yacht Club in Cape May,  NJ hosted the J/70 USA Corinthian Nationals off their amazing beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Two dozen teams across the USA participated and enjoyed three great days of racing on the open sea. 
In the end, it was 26-year-old Edward Gary and his AYACUCHO team that sailed consistently across the eight-race series to earn their first J/70 title. In true Corinthian spirit, Gary assembled a roster with a wonderful friends and family component: Travis Carlisle, Brendan Read, and Brendan’s father Brad Read (e.g. Brad is a J/24 World Champion)!
“Feels great!” said Gary. “I’ve sailed J/70s for a long time, but this is only my third regatta driving one.”
The team was supported by a large group of loved ones. “It’s a whole family affair. I travel with my Dad. My Mom and sister usually come too. Brendan’s Mom and Travis’s girlfriend are here as well. We had about 11 people cheering us on. I’ve sailed with Travis and Brendan for years.”
“Many of the top teams here usually sail with professionals, so you knew the game was on,” said Gary. “We had no race wins. Consistency was the key for us.”
The untold story was how it all went down to determine the winner in the final race. Going into the finale, Brian Keane’s SAVASANA and Gary’s AYACUCHO were 3 pts separated for the lead. So long as SAVASANA didn’t get a 1st or 2nd, AYACUCHO would win. As a result, the last race was a full-on match race between the two teams. The see-saw battle ultimately saw AYACUCHO slam SAVASANA enough times on the upwind legs to drive them into traffic. In the end, AYACUCHO won and Keane’s SAVASANA dropped off the podium into fourth place. 
The battle for the podium was incredibly competitive. Just four points separated the top four boats. The last race determined the final outcome! The balance of the podium was determined on a tiebreaker at 21 pts each. Winning the countback was Cate Muller-Terhune’s team on CASTING COUCH (Jake Doyle, Mike Komar, and John Loe). Settling for the bronze medal was Jim Golden’s DERECHO from Annapolis, MD with his team of James Golden, Ian Mathiesen, and Caleb Yoslov. 
Rounding out the top five was Keane’s SAVASANA in fourth place and Scott Foxman’s RELENTLESS in fifth place.
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May went above and beyond to host one of the J/70 Class’s cornerstone events, supported by a dedicated army of volunteers and daily social events. The Atlantic Ocean race course served up a mix of wind conditions and beautiful rolling waves.
The J/70 Class continues to promote Corinthian all-amateur sailing, both globally and locally, with another successful J/70 Corinthian National Championship. Next year, the J/70 Corinthian World Championship will come to America. Mark your calendars for Marblehead, Massachusetts, from September 22-28, 2025.
Sailing photo credits- Hannah Lee Noll  For more J/70 USA Corinthian Nationals sailing information

Glorious, Lucky Charms J/CUP Ireland    
(Dublin, Ireland)- The 2nd edition of the J/Cup Ireland took place last weekend at the Royal Irish Yacht Club. The regatta included two days of racing, daily prize-givings, and shore-side entertainment for all owners and crews. The event featured one-design classes for J/109s, J/24s, and J/80s, plus an IRC Division for handicap racing. 
J/109 ClassThe thirteen-boat fleet saw a battle royale develop amongst several of the class veterans for the top of the podium.  Emerging from the clouds of war to win by a single point was John Maybury’s JOKER 2 with a 3-1-4-BFD-2-4 for 14 pts net. Garnering the silver medal was Barry Cunningham’s CHIMEARA with a 5-6-7-2-1-1 tally for 15 pts net. Rounding out the podium was Rick & Tim Goodbody’s WHITE MISCHIEF with a 4-5-1-3-4-7 record for 17 pts net!
J/24 ClassThe eight-boat J/24 class was treated to a surprising, and shocking, complete “schooling” by Mikey Carroll’s KINSAILOR team! Posting four bullets and a deuce for their six-race scoreline for 6 pts net! Taking the silver medal was the quartet of Conor Haughton, Jonny Flood, Charles Heather, and Garrett Kinnane on their J/24 JUPITER with a 3-2.5-2-2-4-1 tally for 10.5 pts net. Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was David Bailey’s HARD ON PORT with a 5-2.5-4-3-3-3 scoreline for 15.5 pts net. 
J/80 ClassThe J/80 class enjoyed good participation by loyal J/80 sailors. Winning by a convincing margin was Pat O’Neill’s MOJO with a blistering record of 3-1-1-DSQ-1-1 for 7 pts net! Taking the silver was Austin Kenny’s RAM JAM with a 1-5-3-1-4-3 for 12 pts net. Then, taking the bronze medal was Owen Laverty’s RED CLOUD with a 2-3-5-4-3-2 tally for 14 pts net!
IRC DivisionEight boats enjoyed good IRC handicap racing around government marks. In the end, it was a surprising, shocking, clean sweep of the first five races by John & Suzie Murphy’s J/109 OUTRAGEOUS with a five-race score of 5 pts net! The balance of the podium ended up being a tough battle between four teams. In the end, it was Mike & Rick Evans’s J/99 SNAPSHOT that posted a 6-3-2-2-DNF-1 tally for 14 pts net to take the silver medal. Winning the bronze medal was Peter Dunlop’s J/122 MOJITO with a 3-5-6-4-2-2 scoreline for 16 pts net.  For more Northern Trust J/Cup Ireland regatta sailing information

A WILD RIDE Dominates J/35 North American Championship

(Harrison, MI)- This past weekend, the North Star Sail Club in Detroit, MI hosted the J/35 North American Championship for a fleet of a dozen teams from across the Great Lakes. The fleet enjoyed three fabulous days of sailing in breezes that ranged from 12 to 27 kts!
Going into the regatta was the six-time national champion Bill Wildner on his MR BILL’S WILD RIDE and the winner of the Detroit Helly Hansen Regatta– Mike Welch’s FALCON. At the end of the regatta, it was Wildner’s MR BILL’s WILD RIDE that was declared the 2024 J/35 North American Champion!
Starting with a singularly unimpressive first-day tally of 4-2-7 to end up somewhere off the leaderboard was the MR BILL’s team! Wildner’s “wild ride” crew seemingly drank “Popeye the Sailor Man’s” can of whupass spinach for breakfast the next morning to redeem themselves! After an embarrassing first day of sailing, the “wild ride” crew posted a 1-2-2-1-2-2 tally to win by a whopping ten points for 23 pts net!
Similarly, Mike Welch’s FALCON team started with a less-than-stellar tally of 5-3-9 on the first day looking like a team of clowns. However, no one expected them to be down in the dumps for long for this talented team. No wonder, their closing tally was nearly as impressive as the “wild riders”! The FALCON crew closed with a 2-3-1-5-8-3-2 for 32 pts net to take the silver medal!
Starting with a 3-6-2 on the first day was Dean Fitzpatrick and Gary Snider’s HONOR ROLL. Sitting in second on the leaderboard after day one, things looked good. They sailed consistently for the next two days with a 5-4-3-2-5-6-5 for 35 pts to take the bronze medal.
The top woman skipper was Sheri Dufresne’s FIREFLY. Talking about being on FIRE, her team started with a 2-1-1 on the first day in their bid for J/35 World Domination! However, the “wheels fell off the shopping trolley” in her bid to win the J/35 NAs. Subsequently, her team’s 4-6-4-6-6-7-6 scorecard was insufficient to get her onto the podium and drop her to fourth place. 
J/35 40th Anniversary 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Rod Johnstone’s J/35 design. The subsequent success with over 320 hulls built on this remarkable boat has left a lasting legacy in the sailing community. The design continues to be competitive and influential on race courses around the world. Multiple fleets continue to compete on the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, southern California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and beyond. For more J/35 North Americans sailing information.

HONEYBADGER Captures J/24 US National Championship

(Wayzata, MN)— Eighteen teams competed from September 6th to 8th, 2024 for the J/24 US National Championship at Wayzata Yacht Club in Wayzata, MN. Eight races were completed on Lake Minnetonka, including one discard. Conditions ranged from patchy wind on the opening day to delightful and steady breeze of 8-14 knots. 
Keeping up his momentum from winning this year’s J/24 North American Championship, Travis Odenbach’s HONEYBADGER proved very consistent with scores of 1-3-2-1-5-1-4-3 for 15 net points. With crew Monica Morgan, Dave Hughes, Jeff Sullivan and Jay Miles, Odenbach outlasted runner-up (and fellow Rochester, NY helmsman) Mike Ingham who netted 19 points and Kurt Dammeier’s AMUSE BOUCHE of Seattle (20 net points). 

Half of the fleet competed in the Corinthian Division, won by Nobuyuki Imai’s SIESTA from Japan, ahead of Dave Breitner’s USUAL SUUSPECTS and Bill Allen’s OZ.
Representatives from J/Boats were on hand to present a lifetime award to J/24 Fleet #1, honoring the groundbreaking birth of the J/24 in the late 1970s.  For more J/24 US National Championship sailing information.

 

Upcoming Events

Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds Preview 

(Palma Mallorca, Spain)- The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds, to be held in Palma Mallorca from September 13th to 22nd, will be a landmark in the history of sailing world championships due to the extremely high quality and diversity of the teams in the largest, active one-design keelboat class in the world.
On Friday 13th September, the Spanish Navy and the Naval Commission for Regattas will begin the arduous and complex process of measuring the entire participating fleet with the help of an army of volunteers organized by the Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP). For three days, each of the 97 boats registered in the competition, from 25 different countries, will have every aspect and weight of their boats measured. It’s an impressive list of participants from across the world: Argentina (4), Australia (5), Austria (1), Bermuda (1), Brazil (6), Canada (1), Cayman Islands (1), Denmark (1), Spain (12), Estonia (1), Finland (2), France (3), Great Britain (7), Germany (2), Italy (5), Mexico (2), Monaco (4), Netherlands (2), Norway (2), Portugal (4), Switzerland (5), Sweden (4), Turkey (3), Uruguay (2), and USA (17). 
The favorites in the competition include the defenders of the title, Charles Thompson’s BRUTUS II from the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Great Britain, and the North American team Richard Witzel’s ROWDY from the Chicago Yacht Club, past J/70 World Champion Joel Ronning’s CATAPULT from the Wayzata Yacht Club, Douglas Rastello’s GOOD TO GO from Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and Brian Keane’s SAVASANA from Beverly Yacht Club. From South America, the main favorites are Argentine team Guillermo Parada’s NILDO from the Club Náutico de San Isidro, Mexicans Ignacio Pérez Moret’s ZAGUERO from the Vallarta Yacht Club, the Brazilian team Selmo Nissenbaum’s HIGHLANDERS and Ralph Vasconcellos’s MINDSET, Haroldo Holberg’s OCEANPACT, and Renato Faria’s TO NESSQ, all from the IC Río de Janeiro.
The host country Spain is fielding a remarkably strong contingent of teams with World and European Champion credentials. Those teams include Luis Albert’s PATAKIN, Luis Martinez Doreste’s MONJO,  Luis Bugallo Arriola’s MARNATURA, Luis Martin Cabiedes’s NOTICIA, and the Canal family (Jorge Perez’s ABRIL ROJO & Luis Perez’s ABRIL VERDE). This is a formidable contingent of champion Spanish sailors hoping to snag the J/70 World Championship crown! For more J/70 World Championship sailing information.

Rolex Big Boat Series Preview

(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024. 
The most prestigious regatta on the West Coast has attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to the docks of St. Francis Yacht Club, to hear what classes will race for Rolexes and perpetual trophies on Wednesday night, and to start preparing for the first race on Thursday, September 12. With a strong turnout in J/88 and J/105 one-design classes and ORC divisions, organizers are thrilled to welcome members and guests to be a part of the action on the water and shoreside. 
“Having been involved in this epic West Coast regatta for some four decades, it is my honor and privilege as Commodore to welcome our members and guests to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series,” said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. “I wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world’s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.”
“Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,” commented Ryan Simmons from the J/105 BLACKHAWK.
Rolex Big Boat Series’ extensive history of champions is a tribute to the depth of talent that graces the event and this year, a solid fleet stacked with talented and tough competition is expected. 
“We have thirty J/105s starting again this year, which is great to see, and the ORC fleet is diverse and deep in talent with past winners returning to defend their titles,” says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. “We always have our competitors’ best interests in mind and after taking in sailors’ feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.”
Perennial Rolex Big Boat winner in the J/105 class, Ryan Simmons, and his well-seasoned team on BLACKHAWK are eager to see how the competition will play out in the competitive San Francisco-based J/105 fleet. BLACKHAWK took first in class in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and second in 2022. Simmons does not take for granted that his luck will bear out for another win, although he and his crew are talented enough—and hopeful. 
“We’re lucky, we have low turnover on our team—we’ve been sailing together a long time and it’s a big difference,” says Simmons. “Our competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can’t lock in the win, but you can take yourself out of contention, so sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won.”
Hot to prevail against BLACKHAWK is NE*NE, owned and skippered by Tim Russell who has played bridesmaid many times, often finishing in the top three. He’s currently leading the local J/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender. 
“A first place on NE*NE is eluding me!” says Russell. “You have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I’m trying to win one end or the other and let our boat speed take care of itself and minimize mistakes, but in Big Boat, you have to gamble.”
“Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none, and the social side is always spectacular,” explained Peter Wagner, owner/ skipper of the J/111 SKELETON KEY.
Peter Wagner won last year’s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J/111 he’s owned since 2015. Winner of the J/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club’s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He’s been racing the Rolex Big Boat Series for almost 25 years and is looking forward to the solid competition, great conditions, and fun social gatherings.
“It’s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,” says Wagner. “In this particular event, we’ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we’re excited about the momentum around ORC. I think it will be a competitive event. Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none and the social side is always spectacular. There is always a great group of sailors that convenes around RBBS.”
Other boats returning to defend their 2023 titles include the J/88 PELAGIA owned and skippered by Christos Karamanolis and the J/109 REVERIE owned and skippered by John Arens.
“I’m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,” says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. “The event is such an important part of the StFYC’s history and a favorite for so many sailors and spectators to experience. There is nothing like watching 70-plus boats on three race courses duke it out on San Francisco Bay, including the classic downwind run from the Golden Gate Bridge back to the club. I am also very proud that we continue to maintain Rolex Big Boat Series’ status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.”  Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green/ UltimateSailing.com. For more ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results.

American Yacht Club Fall Regatta Announcement

(Rye, NY)- There is still time to register for the American Yacht Club Fall Regatta classic on Long Island Sound! You don’t want to miss one of the last big regattas of the 2024 sailing season in the northeastern seaboard!!
The AYC Fall Regatta is offering two racing formats:- Windward/Leeward Racing for the ORC and One-Design Classes- Coastal Racing for the PHRF Classes (including Doublehanded & Non-Spinnaker) and the ORC Classes.
As part of the AYC Fall Regatta, they will be hosting the J/109 East Coast Championships!Live music and the classic free food & drinks will be waiting for you when you step off the water! Plenty of story-telling and catching up for all on the picturesque American YC lawn with a view of the famous New York City skyscrapers in the distance off to the west.  Time to get busy and get your team ready for the AYC Fall Regatta- register here! 

J/Community

What J/Sailors, family, and friends are doing worldwide

J/24 Fleet #1 Founders and Wayzata Yacht Club Honored

Above From L to R: Andy Spence-Parsons (Former Commodore WYC), Rolf Turnquist, and Jeff Johnstone.
(Wayzata, MN)- At the recent J/24 US Nationals, J/24 Fleet #1 founders John Gjerde, Rolf Turnquist, Dale “Dirtball” Anderson, and the Wayzata Yacht Club were honored with the J/24 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Jeff Johnstone, President of J/Boats.  
Forty-eight years ago- on December 1976- a small group of die-hard sailors from Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota learned of a new 24-foot design that had just dominated the eastern Long Island Sound series in Connecticut. The original RAGTIME had just won 15 of 17 races sailing with a crew of Mom, Dad, and 4 kids under the age of 16. The new boat was going into production as a one-design. That new boat was the J/24.
John Gjerde and Dale “Dirtball” Anderson got on the phone with Rod Johnstone, peppering him with questions about specs, one-design rules, the builder, you name it.  Rod recalls those first conversations, and how reaffirming it was to have such passionate validation of the J/24 and one-design keelboat sailing. Less than a month later John Gjerde and Rolf Turnquist went into partnership and ordered the first boat (Hull #7 OZ).  Soon four more were ordered, and with an impressive 5 out of the first 25 J/24s ever built, J/24 Fleet #1 was born on Lake Minnetonka!!
John, Rolf, and Dirtball towed OZ east for the inaugural J/24 North American Championship in Newport in 1978, proudly representing Fleet #1 and the Wayzata Yacht Club. They helped set the tone early in the J/24 class for fun, highly competitive racing, and even more fun times onshore. In those first years of the class exploding in size, most clubs didn’t know what hit them – how to deal with non-stop general recalls, how to deal with teams sleeping on their boats and bringing campers, how to deal with sailors hanging out at the club all night until the kegs ran dry. The J/24 class was more like a rolling Woodstock Music Festival. 
John and Dirtball are sadly no longer with us, but their contributions to the J/24 class and one-design sailing will never be forgotten. Rod Johnstone recalls an early John Gjerde story that captures the spirit well. After that first season in 1977, John wanted to ramp things up and invited Rod to Minneapolis in late January of 1978 (a few weeks after the first 1978 J/24 Midwinters in Key West- won by Mark Ploch’s TCHAU with Stu Johnstone as tactician!) to speak to a packed house. 
A conference room was booked at a downtown hotel and 100+ people were invited to hear the latest about the J/24. Rod got stuck at LaGuardia airport in a snowstorm and couldn’t make it, so he regretfully had to cancel.  
When Rod spoke to John a few days later, he learned that the party went on anyway!! Everyone showed up and all night long John, as a joke, proudly wore a name tag that read “Hello my name is Rod Johnstone.”  Fleet #1 doubled in size in 1978!
Wayzata Yacht Club’s adoption of the J/24 fleet in 1977 helped establish a one-design culture that has, in the years since, spawned an impressive number of other recognized one-design fleets, including J/22 fleet #1 and J/70 Fleet #2.  And now, the Wayzata Yacht Club’s Thursday Night summer series draws upwards of 120 boats with no less than 7 active one-design fleets. Wow!
The inscription on the framed half-model award reads: “In honor of J/24 Fleet # 1 founders Dale Anderson, John Gjerde, Rolf Turnquist, and Wayzata Yacht Club – for their unwavering support, enthusiasm, and lifelong dedication to the J/24 Class and one-design sailing.”

J/Puma Jam Zip Top- September 20% Off Special
(Newport, RI)- The J/Puma Jam Zip Top is your choice for 3-season’s sailing. Perfect for your cruising or competitive crew. Light wieght but comfortable when the breeze kicks in. Easily stored and layered under jacket or vest. Performance Puma throughout..
Material:

4.94 oz., 100% polyester
moisture-wicking

Features:

4-way stretch
ultra-lightweight
contrast covered reverse coil zipper
silicone Puma Cat logo on left sleeve

Perfect zip top when customized with your yacht name and sail number.
Choose your appropriate J/Class logo. Customize with your yacht detail as an option.  Order your J/Puma Jam zip top here:

 

About J/Boats
The story of J/Boats is a classic entrepreneurial tale. With a $20,000 investment and a speedy 24-foot sailboat that Rod Johnstone built in his garage, Rod and his brother Bob Johnstone went into business in 1977. The boat they built, the J/24, has become the most popular recreational offshore keelboat in the world. The Johnstone family has made an undeniable mark on the sailing world. In addition to the 5,500 J/24s cruising the waves, there are over 9,500 more J/Boats, ranging from the International J/22 to the J/65, that sailing enthusiasts have bought at prices ranging from $10,000 to $2,000,000.  Read more

You can read Bob Johnstone’s 2023 memoir, “MAVERICK MARKETER”, which Gary Jobson described as “A compelling, page-turner, with uplifting, fascinating stories.” The memoir includes background on how J/Boats got started and how many of its designs were created. It is available in ebook, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook formats on Amazon.

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(Stamford, CT)- Hosted by Stamford Yacht Club, Labor Day weekend’s Vineyard Race is a classic American offshore yacht race. The 238.0nm course stretches from Shippan Point in Long Island Sound to the Buzzards Bay Light tower at the entrance to Buzzard’s Bay, and then a return to the finish in Stamford Harbor.
Begun in 1932, it has attracted the finest sailors and fastest boats. Those who are successful nearly always credit local knowledge of these tricky waters, particularly at the notorious “The Race” and “Plum Gut” where currents can flow up to 5 kts, and a good deal of luck. 
The Vineyard Race was described in Yachting Magazine as the following; “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 racing, 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 proven popular with J/sailors over time, with many returning yearly as part of their end-of-summer sailing ritual to complete their summer sailing season. The teams have a choice to sail the classic 238.0nm race or the shorter “Seaflower Reef” race inside Long Island Sound. 
VINEYARD RACE
PHRF 6 DoublehandedAs they have done previously, winning the Doublehanded fleet was Peter Becker & Adrien Blanc’s J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN. Taking a hard-earned bronze medal was Todd Aven & Basia Karpinska’s J/99 THIN MAN. 
PHRF 8 DivisionThis eight-boat fleet was loaded with leading J/teams. Taking the bronze medal was John Greifzu’s J/109 GROWTH SPURT, fourth was Don Irion’s J/109 FULL TILT, fifth was Steve Landy & Derek Soohoo’s J/100 SANGUINE, and sixth was Greg Kotzas J/35 OSPREY.
PHRF 10 DivisionThis ten-boat class was also loaded with veteran offshore teams accustomed to finishing “in the chocolates”, so to speak! Leading a near sweep of the top five was Bill Klein’s J/120 SPECK, followed by Bill Ingraham’s gorgeous J/124 TENEBRAE in second place. Then, Richard West’s J/120 CHARLOTTE took fourth place, while Brian Spears’s J/120 MADISON took fifth place!
PHRF 11 DivisionThis nine-boat fleet was swept by very experienced J/Teams in the top seven! Winning was David Rosow’s J/122 LOKI, followed by Bill & Jackie Baxter’s J/111 FIREBALL in second, Constantine Baris’s J/122 DIRE WOLF in third, Peter Chilean’s J/111 CIAO BABY in fourth, John Sutherland’s J/111 19th NERVOUS BREAKDOWN in fifth, Pito Chickering’s J/111 THE ROOST in sixth, and Cao Deambrosio & Chris Nicholls’s J/133 RHIANNON in seventh! 
PHRF OverallIn addition, the top five PHRF Overall was a clean sweep by J/teams! Winning was Rosow’s J/122 LOKI, with the Baxter’s J/111 FIREBALL taking 2nd, the Becker/Blanc duet on the J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN was third, Baris’s J/122 DIRE WOLF was fourth, and Klein’s J/120 SPECK was fifth place! A remarkable performance by these teams!
PHRF 14 DivisionWinning this class by one hour on corrected time was Macrae Sykes’s J/125 GOOD NEWS!
ORC 12 DivisionThis nine-boat fleet saw a near-clean sweep of the top five places. Winning by over an hour was Albrecht Goethe’s bright red J/46 HAMBURG II. Second place went to June & Amanda Kendrick’s J/44 PALANTIR 5, fourth place was Trevor Roach’s J/121 TOUCH OF GREY, fifth place went to Steve Brownlie’s J/133 ASSARAIN IV, and sixth was One Haxthausen’s J/133 RUMBA. 
ORC 13 DivisionFinishing with the silver medal in this half-dozen boat class was Len Sitar’s beautiful J/160 COUGAR!
CORNFIELD POINT RACE
PHRF 3Winning this half-dozen boat class was Blaine Davis & Melih Bagdatli’s J/30 BOUNCE and, as a result, also won PHRF Overall for the Cornfield Point Race!
For more Vineyard Race sailing information.

(Breskens, Netherlands)- This coming weekend, the Jachthaven Breskens will be hosting the very popular end-of-summer sailing season regatta- the Breskens Sailing Weekend. It’s a popular event for a few J/Boats teams in the Netherlands and Benelux.

ORC 1 DivisionSailing in this dozen-boat fleet are Rutger Krijger’s J/112E JACK RABBIT and Frans van Cappelle’s J/122E MOANA.
ORC 2 DivisionRacing in this thirteen-boat are a trio of J/crews. Those teams include Arjen van Leeuwin’s J/109 JOULE, Richard Verkleij’s J/99 BOLD & GRACIOUS from Germany, and Jan Scholze’s J/99 WARP 5 from the Netherlands.
ORC 3 DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet has two J/crews. Those teams are Rene van Quekelberghe’s J/97 JAI HO and Dimitri Vanvyve’s J/105 JUGGERNAUT. For more Breskens Sailing Weekend information