BOOT Dusseldorf Displaying New J/40, J/99, and J/70!

(Dusseldorf, Germany)-  The world-famous Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show will take place from January 18th to 26th, 2025, in Dusseldorf, Germany, at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center.
With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Dusseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the world’s largest international sportsboat class- the J/70, and the magnificent new J/40 performance cruising yacht!
For more BOOT Dusseldorf boat show informationhttps://www.boot.com/

Barbados Sailing Week Preview 2025

(Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay, Barbados)- Yet again, the Barbados Cruising Club is welcoming sailors from near and far across the Caribbean to their gorgeous corner of the Earth. Barbados is the easternmost of the Windward Islands and sailors are looking for a long weekend of “fun in the sun”! Starting with Coastal Offshore Races this weekend, the finale will be the famous Mt. Gay Round Barbados Race.
In the CSA Monohul Racing 1 division of seven boats will be Peter Lewis’s J/121 WHISTLER.
The J/24s are enjoying their 35th-plus year of racing on the island. This year a quartet will be doing battle for class honors, including Cyril Lcecrenay’s BUNGA BUNGA, Bob Povey’s FLY, Gus Reader’s GLORY DAZE, and Greg Webster’s PHOENIX.
For more Barbados Sailing Week sailing informationhttps://www.roundbarbados.com/

J/Newsletter- January 15th, 2025

The 2025 sailing season is off to a thrilling start, with races and regattas showcasing the best of what the sport has to offer. From the competitive spirit in Tampa Bay’s J/70 Winter Series II to the high-speed drama of the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, sailors are already making waves— both literal and figurative. Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for events like the J/111 North Americans at the Southernmost Regatta in Key West and the sun-soaked festivities of Barbados Sailing Week in the eastern Caribbean.  
This month’s stories bring you the excitement of returning to beloved venues like Davis Island Yacht Club post-storm recovery, exhilarating accounts of high-performance racing in the Florida Keys, and a look ahead at what promises to be an unforgettable regatta season. Whether you’re seeking speed, strategy, or the camaraderie of the sailing community, there’s something for everyone on the horizon.

BOOT Dusseldorf Displaying New J/40, J/99, and J/70!

(Dusseldorf, Germany)- The world-famous Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show is taking place from January 18th to 26th, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center.
With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Dusseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the world’s largest international sportsboat class- the J/70, and the magnificent new J/40 performance cruising yacht! For more BOOT Dusseldorf boat show information.  Read more here.  

SAVASANA Leads J/70 Winter Series II- Tampa Bay

(Tampa, FL)- Thirty-three J/70 teams participated in the Winter Series at Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC) in Tampa, Florida on January 10-12. While the Series has traditionally been held over three weekends annually, DIYC had to cancel the December event due to ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which left widespread damage throughout the Tampa Bay area. Racers were grateful to return to this popular location. Saturday’s conditions were breezy at 12-18 knots, however, the moving cold front sucked out the wind on Sunday, leaving the standings at four races.  Read more here.

J/125 Overall Winner SORC Ft Lauderdale to Key West Race!

(Ft Lauderdale, FL)- This week, the Storm Trysail Club is hosting the renowned Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, covering a distance of 160.0 nautical miles around the Florida Keys. 
The owner of the Maxi 72 BELLA MENTE- Hap Fauth- called the race an “exciting sleigh ride!” No wonder, as they reached a top speed of 27 knots on the way to Key West. J/24 World Champion tactician Terry Hutchinson added, “It was a great race to start 2025 out in a positive way. Moderate Nor’easterly winds greeted the fleet at the start of Ft. Lauderdale. Then, the 160-mile ride south/southwest around the Florida Keys was awesome! We had everything from 27 to 10 knots of true wind speed and managed the course in 11 hours and 16 minutes, with an average boat speed of 15.3 knots. You could not have asked for better conditions!”
Several J/Teams participated in the race and collected a roomful of silverware! Read more here.

J/111 North Americans 2025 Preview

Key West Southernmost Regatta Preview(Key West, FL)- The 2025 edition of the Southernmost Regatta is featuring the 2025 J/111 North American Championship, along with an ORC handicap fleet. Sponsored by SAILING Inc. from Cleveland, OH, the regatta is hosted at the infamous Galleon Hotel Tiki Bar, where the sailors enjoy a fun, quaint, easy-going regatta in the rustic atmosphere of Key West. 
J/111 North AmericansA remarkably strong eleven-boat contingent of J/111s will be vying for 2025 North American Championship honors over the five-day series running from Monday to Friday, January 20th to 24th, 2025. 
There are a number of “virgin” teams sailing their first J/111 NA’s as well as enthusiastic participants to sail in the gorgeous aquamarine-blue waters off Key West. The teams are all hoping for “classic” Key West conditions with breezes from the East/ Southeast, lumpy waves, and warm trade wind-like sailing conditions.
 Read more here.

Barbados Sailing Week Preview 2025

(Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay, Barbados)- Yet again, the Barbados Cruising Club is welcoming sailors from near and far across the Caribbean to their gorgeous corner of the Earth. Barbados is the easternmost of the Windward Islands and sailors are looking for a long weekend of “fun in the sun”! Starting with Coastal Offshore Races this weekend, the finale will be the famous Mt. Gay Round Barbados Race.
Read more here.

 

J/Gear January 20% Off Specials
(Newport, RI)-  The January 20% off specials will feature 2 items.
J Soft Shell VestThe J Soft Shell Vest introduces new performance features welcomed under diverse sailing conditions. The soft shell offers warmth from bonded layers of microfiber and spandex for ease of movement while protecting from windy, rainy, and chilly conditions. Here are basic specifications:

1000 mm waterproof rating
96% polyester, 4% spandex bonded to 100% polyester microfleece
Wind- and water-resistant
Interior storm flap with chin guard
Open hem with dropped back bottom

Order the J Soft Shell Vest here
J Brim HatThe J Brim Hat is a rugged full-brim hat that protects from the sun and fits snugly with the assistance of a chin strap. This cap is manufactured by Columbia and features a breathable circumference. Here are basic specifications:

Omni-Shade™ 100% textured nylon poplin on top, sides and brim
Omni-Wick™ sweatband and mesh vents
Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 protects you from the sun’s harmful rays
Omni-Wick sweatband and mesh venting actively breathe and pull moisture away from your skin to keep you cool.
Adjustable drawcord and toggle at the back
Fits most head bans: 21.5″ – 24.5″
3″ brim

Order the J/ Brim Hat here

J/70 Winter Series II- Tampa Bay Preview

(Tampa, FL)- For the first time in years, the Davis Island Yacht Club’s J/70 Winter Series is not fully subscribed. There are just thirty-three teams entered in the 2025 edition to go sailing on the infamously light Tampa Bay. That’s nowhere close to the maximum sixty boats permitted where, in past years, the entry list was over-subscribed with a waiting list. The December 7-8 regatta was canceled due to extreme weather conditions, similar to what was experienced across the state of Florida for the Bacardi Winter Series in Miami, FL.
Nevertheless, there is a highly competitive fleet of international teams sailing in this weekend’s event from January 11th to 12th, 2025.
Some of the teams that should factor at the top of the leaderboard include past winner Brian Keane’s SAVASANA from Marblehead, MA; Doug Rastello’s GOOD TO GO team from Newport Beach, CA; Laura Sigmond’s NORBOY from Chicago YC; Ian Hill’s SITELLA from Hampton YC; and Bruno Pasquinelli’s crew on STAMPEDE from Forth Worth, TX.
For more Davis Island YC J/70 Winter Series sailing informationhttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/16863

G-SPOT Leading J/70 Monaco Winter Series 2025

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The very popular YC Monaco J/70 Winter Series commenced in November 2024 and will continue until the fourth and final regatta at the 41st Primo Cup- Trohpee UBS this spring in March 2025. The event has proved to be a very successful format, with more than 350 sailors coming from across Europe to set up their winter training base in the Principality of Monaco based out of the famous Yacht Club de Monaco to prepare for the upcoming season’s big meetings.
Here is the 2024/ 2025 Monaco J/70 Winter Series schedule:Act I: 7-10 November 2024Act II: 5-8 December 2024Act III: 6-9 February 2025Act IV: 6-9 March 2025 Primo Cup – UBS Trophy
Act I ReportIt was a great start for this first day, contestants pulled out all the stops during an intense day of racing that saw the level of the competitive J/70 fleet go up a notch, with strategic starts and tight duels all along the course.
The spotlight was now on the Monegasque teams, led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio and his crew on G-SPOT who top the provisional ranking. In their wake is CHARISMA V helmed by Samuel Poons who delivered a solid performance to keep them in the top three and a pugnacious Graeme Peterson on MOONLIGHT in third, which bodes well for tight contests ahead. Stefano Roberti’s PICCININA, winner of Act 1 is in 4th this evening but his talent and perseverance could well see him back in the running for a podium finish.
In the Corinthian (amateur) category, the Swiss on RHUBARBE currently tops the leaderboard, ahead of the Italians on WHY NOT, with Matteo Scandolera’s IRRUENZA representing the YCM in 3rd.
Act II ReportAct II of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series produced a lovely weekend of racing in Monaco’s Hercules Bay. Variable conditions saw the thirty J/70 teams from seven nations having to combine strategy, precision, and flexibility to stay in the game. But, one thing is for certain, they were set on widening the gap in the rankings.
Hierarchy confirmed at the topIn a strategic duel, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio at the helm of G-SPOT held his own with remarkable consistency. In the end, they won three of the five races completed through wise tactics and total mastery of their local race area.
Behind him, the battle for the podium was intense. While Samuel Poons’s CHARISMA V clinched a solid 2nd place, Stefano Roberti’s PICCININA grabbed 3rd place after a tightly fought tussle with MOONLIGHT II led by Graeme Peterson, also representing YCM. Indeed, the Yacht Club de Monaco can be proud of this collective performance with six member-run teams in the top ten.
In the Corinthian category (amateurs), the French on EURO-VOILES managed to overtake and make a difference to beat YCM’s Matteo Scandolerau’s IRRUENZA into 2nd with the Swiss on RHUBARBE coming in 3rd.
International reputation confirmedWhile the locals pulled out all the stops, visiting teams have much to be proud of. The Swiss teams came in the first 15 alongside the Italian boats. As for the Hungarians on Rosszcsont, they made big progress and show real potential for the next stages of this winter championship. With teams from all over Europe, the circuit continues to provide a tactical challenge and training ground ahead of major events in 2025.
Technology pays offIntegration of the Vakaros ATLAS II tracking system again helped both the organizers and contestants to monitor their progress in real time during races and make adjustments. It was an innovation that is part of Yacht Club de Monaco’s ongoing quest to push the boundaries of technology to improve sailing regattas on every level.
Next meetingNext up is Act III of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series scheduled for 6-9 February 2025. With the rankings still close, the stakes and suspense level are high. Who will succeed in maintaining their lead or cause an upset? Answers next month!
For more YC Monaco J/70 Winter Series sailing informationhttps://yacht-club-monaco.mc/en/ycmevents/monaco-sportsboat-winter-series/

CASTING COUCH Wins J/70 Bacardi Winter Series I

(Miami, FL)- The J/70 Bacardi Winter Series kicked off on December 14-15, 2024 at Shake-A-Leg Miami, with the second event unfolding from January 24-26, 2025. 2024/2025 marks the seventh edition of the J/70 Bacardi Winter Series which has been strongly and enthusiastically supported by the J/70 class since its inception.
The J/70 Bacardi Winter Series events lead into the season finale at the renowned Bacardi Cup Regatta from March 5-8, 2025 in Miami, FL, and hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club.
The first event saw a stellar turnout from the J/70 class, with top teams from around the world. A contingent of thirty-three international teams from five nations (USA, Canada, Caymans Islands, United Kingdom, and Brazil) were strongly tested in full-on planing wind conditions.
In the end, it was Cate Muller-Terhune’s CASTING COUCH team (Nick Turney, Allan Terhune, & Steve Hunt) from Annapolis, MD that won. Second went to Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE crew (Greiner Hobbs, River Paquin, and Patrick Wilson) from Fort Worth, TX. Then, third went to class octogenarian John Brim sailing his RIMETTE from Fisher’s Island, NY/ Palm Beach, FL. Notably, another top woman helm finished in fourth place- Maggie McKillen’s MAGATRON crew (Davey Gilmour, Orrin Starr, and Chuck Norris) from Newport, RI.
For more J/70 Bacardi Cup sailing information & resultshttps://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=16828
For more J/70 Bacardi Winter Series sailing informationhttps://bacardiinvitational.com/winterseries1/

J/99 Teams Silver in Rough & Tumble ROLEX Sydney Hobart Race

(Sydney, Australia)- Over the past 78 years, the ROLEX Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, ranking in public interest with such national events as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open tennis, and the Boxing Day cricket test. No regular annual yachting event in the world attracts such huge media coverage as the three starting lines on Sydney Harbour.
The 628.0 nm course is often described as the most grueling long ocean race in the world, a challenge to everyone who takes part. From the spectacular start in Sydney Harbour, the fleet sails out into the Tasman Sea, down the southeast coast of mainland Australia, across Bass Strait (which divides the mainland from the island State of Tasmania), then down the east coast of Tasmania. At Tasman Island, the fleet turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to the historic port city of Hobart.
People who sail the race often say the first and last days are the most exciting. The race starts on Sydney Harbour and attracts hundreds of spectator craft and hundreds of thousands of people lining the shore as helicopters buzz above the fleet, filming for TV around the world.
The final day at sea is exciting with crews fighting to beat their rivals, but also looking forward to the traditional Hobart welcome. Plus, looking forward to having a refreshing drink to relax and celebrate their experience.
Between the first and last days, the fleet sails past some of the most beautiful landscapes and seascapes found anywhere in the world. The New South Wales coast is a mixture of sparkling beaches, coastal townships, and small fishing villages. Nevertheless, for most of the race south, the yachts can be anywhere between the coastline and 40 miles offshore.
During the race, many boats are within sight of each other and crews listen closely to the information from the twice-daily radio position schedules (“skeds” as they are called). In more recent years, crews have been able to pinpoint the entire fleet’s whereabouts and follow each boat’s progress against their own using onboard computers and the YB yacht tracker on the official race website.
Bass Strait (nicknamed the “paddock”) has a dangerous personality. It can be dead calm or spectacularly dangerous. The water is relatively shallow, there’s a south-easterly flowing 2-3 kts current, and the winds can be strong out of the south-southwest. These counter-manding elements of wind against current often create a steep and difficult breaking sea for yachts.
The third leg after the “paddock”- down the east coast of Tasmania takes the fleet past coastal holiday resorts and fishing ports with towering mountains in the background. Approaching Tasman Island, the coastline comprises massive cliffs known as the famous “Organ Pipes” spectacular rock formations, sometimes shrouded in fog.
The winds are often fickle and can vary in strength and direction within a few miles of the island. Sailing becomes very tactical.
After turning right at Tasman Island, sailors often think the race is nearly completed. But, at this point, there are still 40 miles of often hard very difficult sailing to go. Yachts can be left behind in the maze of currents and wind frustrations.
Even when they round the Iron Pot, a tiny island that was once a whaling station, there is still a further 11 miles up the broad reaches of the Derwent River to the finish line off Hobart’s historic Battery Point, with Mount Wellington towering over the city.
Hundreds of people crowd the shores of Sullivans Cove to cheer the yachts and their crews while volunteers from the finishing club, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, meet the weary crews with open arms and famous Tasmanian hospitality, and escort them to their berth in the Kings Pier marina.
It’s an event that Tasmanians love to host in the middle of Hobart’s “Taste of Tasmania Festival”.
Then it’s time to celebrate or commiserate, swap yarns about the race with other crews over a few beers in Hobart’s famous waterfront pubs, such as the Customs House Hotel, or the Rolex Sydney Hobart Dockside Bar right on the waterfront.
For this year’s ROLEX Sydney Hobart Race edition, the fleet was treated to one of its more infamous boat-pounding, body-abusing editions. Over a third of the fleet dropped out. Amazingly, most of the J/Teams persevered and posted strong finishes. Here is how they faired by division.
IRC Doublehanded DivisionThis year fielded the largest fleet of J/Teams ever. A quintet of J/99s participated and many did well despite the extremely demanding weather conditions. Taking the silver medal was Jules Hall & Jan Scholten’s DISKO TROOPER- CONTENDER SAILCLOTH! Then, earning the bronze medal was Ian Smith & Lincoln Dews’s JUPITER! Finally, taking sixth place was Grant Chipperfield & Peter Dowdney’s J/133 JOKERx2.
IRC Division 3In this fleet of eighteen teams, it was Steve Watson’s J/130 RAGTIME that took the silver medal! Remarkably, this was Rodney Johnstone’s original J/130 RAGTIME bought in the USA and shipped to Australia!
IRC Division 5In this fleet of twenty-five teams, it was the J/99s repeating their performance in the IRC Double Division! Jules Hall & Jan Scholten’s DISKO TROOPER- CONTENDER SAILCLOTH took the silver medal! Then, earning the bronze medal was Ian Smith & Lincoln Dews’s JUPITER!
Jules Hall Interview:Kings Pier overflowed with spectators on Monday, all vying to get a prime view of the latest finishers in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, and among the arrivals was Double Handed entry Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth.
Unphased by a gaggle of curious onlookers, the boat’s owner and co-skipper, Jules Hall, sat on deck digging into a hot cheeseburger and chips.
The treat was well-deserved, considering that for the past three-plus days Hall and co-skipper Jan ‘Clogs’ Scholten have been on a diet of mostly dehydrated food. It tastes like cardboard, but Hall said it’s convenient at sea, as it’s easy to make and “gets all the calories in quickly.”
“I could not face another bag of dehydrated food. Anything but the beef curry,” Hall said.
Apart from the food, the experienced Doublehanded duo had a cracker of a race, with several challenges along the way.
Hall said he experienced “nervous energy” on the first night of the race, with the wind instruments picking up gusts of 35-40 knots at times.
“And then we got through that [wind], and we had the southerly, and the southerly, and the southerly…” Hall said, about the struggle of sailing upwind. “So, we were basically either underwater going downwind or underwater going upwind!”
Until the final night, when the yacht “fell into a hole for four hours”. This cost Hall and Scholten the win in IRC Division 5 to the S&S 47, Love & War. However, they scored second in the division and second in the Doublehanded Division to Mistral.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes,” Hall said.
Theirs was the third Doublehanded yacht to cross the line, out of 14 (some of which are still racing).
Nine Doublehanded yachts retired from the 628 nautical mile race due to a range of issues.
The duo last raced in the Sydney Hobart in the inaugural Doublehanded Division in 2021, where they won on Doublehanded IRC, PHS, and ORCi Divisions. Since then, Hall has witnessed the growth in popularity of the Australian Doublehanded fleet,
“It’s such an awesome group of people – pioneering, learning how to build this part of the sport – and being so supportive. And also, so competitive,” Hall said of his doublehanded peers.
“I think the depth and breadth and capability in the fleet is growing exponentially. It’s amazing to see.”
For more ROLEX Sydney Hobart Race sailing informationhttps://rolexsydneyhobart.com/

BOOT Dusseldorf Displaying New J/40, J/99, and J/70!

(Dusseldorf, Germany)- The world-famous Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show is taking place from January 18th to 26th, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center.
With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Dusseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the world’s largest international sportsboat class- the J/70, and the magnificent new J/40 performance cruising yacht!
For more BOOT Dusseldorf boat show informationhttps://www.boot.com/