J/Newsletter- April 20th, 2022
The Sun Never Sets on J’s Sailing Worldwide
Around our world, the past weekend’s event were punctuated by various religious celebrations across the world for Easter, Ramadan, and Passover. This coming week, there are more celebrations for our Ukrainian friends- Orthodox Easter.
While the two weekends are celebrated by millions of friends and family worldwide, simultaneously, there were several significant regattas taking place around our blue planet Earth.
In Europe, thousands of sailors were anxious to see each other again at the largest single regatta held every year in France, the SPI Ouest Regatta in La Trinite sur Mer, France. Huge one-design fleets of J/70s, J80s participated, along with IRC and OSH handicap racing fleets with teams like J/120, J/99s, J/105s, J/122s, and J/109s.
Across the English Channel, the Royal Ocean Racing Club hosted its popular RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, with teams enjoying three days of spectacular racing off Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, the West Vancouver Yacht Club held their beloved Southern Straits Race. Several J/Teams (J/111, J/22, J/30, J/99, J/109) enjoyed the challenging races in the headwaters of the famous Juan de Fuca Straits.
In the J/Community section, there is a sweet story about J/105 “Dog Smile Adventures” in Coeur d’Alene, ID… all about enabling less fortunate people to get access to the water and enjoy sailing for free. Learn more about it!
Charleston Race Week Preview
(Charleston, SC)- Charleston Race Week is back in full force. Coronavirus canceled the iconic spring regatta in 2020, while the ongoing pandemic forced organizers to hold a scaled-back event in 2021. With conditions improving throughout the United States, event director Randy Draftz is pleased to announce that Charleston Race Week 2022 will showcase a return to normal.
A fleet of more than 200 boats in 15 classes is expected to descend upon this famous southern coastal city for the 27th edition of Charleston Race Week, being held April 28-May 1.
“The previous two years were difficult for sailboat racing with numerous regattas being canceled or postponed. It is a testament to the popularity of Charleston Race Week, the commitment of our sponsors and the determination of our competitors that we were able to hold the regatta in 2021 amidst the pandemic,” Draftz said.
“We are thrilled to have made it through to the other side and are excited to host a regatta that will be better than ever. Charleston Race Week, which has always been a regatta unlike any other, is making a strong comeback this year.”
Quantum Sails deserves applause and praise for its unwavering support of Charleston Race Week, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade. Quantum’s resources were a major reason why the 2021 regatta was a success despite the inability to conduct social activities.
Quantum Sails will once again play a prominent role in Charleston Race Week 2022 as a primary sponsor and will have numerous personnel on-site to support sailors on and off the racecourse.
As usual, many of Quantum’s professional sailors will be competing in the regatta and available to provide tips and advice throughout the four-day regatta. Quantum president Ed Reynolds explained why the renowned sail-making company values its partnership with Charleston Race Week.
“The combination of a great venue, the best competition and amazing social activity is the reason Charleston Race Week is considered by many as the most important annual regatta in the United States,” Reynolds said. “We at Quantum Sails are grateful to support an event that just keeps getting better.”
Reynolds emphasized how much the Quantum team enjoys interacting with sailors from all over the world during Charleston Race Week, calling the regatta a great opportunity to connect with the customers the company serves.
“Thanks to excellent management, the event attracts the best sailors – giving racers of all abilities the opportunity to experience top level competition,” Reynolds said. “The unique chance to have access to the top pros in their classes for dock talks, and world-class coaching for debriefs gives people a front row seat to learn from the best.”
Charleston Race Week organizers are grateful to have many other loyal and important sponsors, notably corporate sponsors Gosling’s Rum and Mount Pleasant. Enjoying a Dark ‘n Stormy mixed with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is a longtime regatta tradition, while the town of Mount Pleasant remains a most gracious host of a race week whose headquarters is the fabulous Charleston Harbor Marina & Resort.
Ultimately, it’s all about the action on the water and there is no better venue for grand prix sailboat racing than Charleston, which always delivers a variety of wind strengths and challenging tidal patterns.
Among the notable sailors set to compete is former Rolex Yachtsman of the Year– Terry Hutchinson; he’ll be skippering an entry in the J/70 class. Laura Grondin, who was on the short list for the 2022 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award, will be one of the favorites in talent-laden J/70 class with her strong team featuring Taylor Canfield. Joining them in the 48-boat fleet are other leading teams, such as Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE, Maggie McKillen’s MAGATRON, Francisco Van Avermaete’s Argentinean team on JUICY, John Heaton’s EMPEIRIA, Jay Lutz BLACK RIVER RACING, Cate Muller-Terhune’s MURDER HORNET, Doug Rastello’s GOOD TO GO, Brian Keane’s SAVASANA, and John Brigden’s COOL STORY BRO.
Similarly, the twelve-boat J/88 class features many of its top contenders and J/88 North Americans winners, like Andy Graff’s EXILE and Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION. Other teams include John Leahey’s DUTCH, Justin Scagnelli’s ALBONDIGAS, Ryan and Abigail Ruhlman’s SPACEMAN SPIFF, Tim Sweet’s Canadian team on GIVE’R, and Dan Floberg’s MISTY from Chicago.
Returning to the regatta with a much bigger fleet than see in year’s past is the nine-boat J/105 class. It’s a nice mix of local boats plus teams from New Jersey and Florida. Those teams include Rob Marsh’s BLOWBOAT from Red Bank, NJ, Joe Highsmith’s DEAD ON ARRIVAL, and John Wrangle’s WATERMELON.
Fielding a fleet of nine boats are the J/24s with notable crews like Mike Palazzo’s JO MAMMA, Marcus Rogers’ WIND MONKEY, Dan Rogge’s MATADORA, Sheldon Wright’s INVICTUS, and Mike Quaid’s ICE CUBE.
The ORC Handicap fleet includes twin J/111s- Jim Archer’s HEATWAVE and Les Cabiness’ WIDE LOAD. Then, in the PHRF Pursuit Race Class A is Ben Poucher’s J/95 WARRIOR sailing with a team of war veterans. For more Charleston Race Week sailing information
Newport to Ensenada Race Preview
(Newport Beach, CA)- Hosted by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association, the beloved 125-mile Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race sails Friday, April 22 for the 74th time.
165 sailboats, an eclectic mix of serious sailors campaigning multi-million-dollar yachts racing alongside recreational cruisers – from 16 to 100 feet – will cross the start line off the Balboa Pier at 11 a.m.
Racers will sail on one of three courses – the sprint to Dana Point, the extended San Diego run around the Coronado Islands, and the perennial favorite; the classic course to festive Ensenada, Mexico.
Kicking off race week festivities is the Yachtsman’s Luncheon, hosted by Newport Harbor Yacht Club Wednesday, April 20, at noon. Distinguished sailor and entrepreneur John Sangmeister will speak about the iconic race, racing tactics, and NOSA’s three-quarters of a century of service to the yachting community.
Who’s sailing which event? Well, it’s an eclectic mix for each course. In the Newport to Dana Point Sprint is Joaquin Cobelo’s J/109 MARIAH, Matt Campbell’s J/120 DANI GIRL, Charles Brewer’s J/124 HEARTBEAT 4, Jock McGraw’s J/22 TEKEELA, and Tom Garrett’s youth team on the J/70 SLOOP JOHN B.
Sailing the Ensenada Race is John Staff’s J/111 OBSIDIAN, David Cattle’s J/100 FLASHHEART, Robert Kraak’s J/105 SOPHIA, Jeff Shew & Will Durant’s J/109 FUZZY LOGIC, Scott Torrance’s J/124 FORGIVENESS, two J/125s (Dan Murphy’s JAVELIN and Standish Fleming’s NEREID), Dean Stanec’s J/130 NIGHT’s WATCH, Chuck Bower’s J/29 RHUMB RUNNER, Paul Stemler’s J/44 PATRIOT, Frederic Hayem’s J/46 MISTER J, Brian Kerr’s J/92 DOUBLE DOWN, and Stephen McMillan’s J/99 MERLIN.
In the third race, Newport to San Diego will be two J/145s (Robert Pace’s ANDIAMO 2 and Rudy Hasl’s PALAEMON, Mike McCarthy’s J/88 BLUE FLASH, and David Newland’s J/92 DREAMLINE. Fun and games! For more Newport to Ensenada Race sailing
PALMA VELA Regatta Preview
(Palma Mallorca, Spain)- This coming week, the Real Club Náutico de Palma in Palma, Mallorca, Spain is back to hosting its famous Palma Vela Regatta with over 100 boats attending and hundreds of sailors.
“With the return of the regatta to its traditional date in May, PalmaVela returns to the Bay of Palma and to the club’s pontoons in all of its magnificent Spring splendor,” says Emerico Fuster, President of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, who describes the competition as “a very diverse regatta with a fleet of small keelboats like Dragons and also big boats such as the Maxis.”
Apart from the competition on the water, Fuster highlights that “the regatta will bring about two thousand people in the city of Palma, adding to the good Easter that our hoteliers and restaurateurs have had. Without a doubt, one more sign that we are returning to a certain type of normality.”
The eight-boat J/80 fleet has quite the international flavor to it, with teams from Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, and Australia. Spain is represented by Ana Pujol & Nuria Sanchez on the women’s team of DORSIA COVIRAN and Helena Alegrea on HSA. Germany is represented by Michael Schoefer’s SUERTE and Inken Braunschmidt’s JOTA JUERGA. United Kingdom is represented by Zachary Lamb’s MIKAKU and Andrew Cheetham’s NOW 4. Australia’s lone team is Kristyn Gills’ ALOJA.
In the ORC handicap division will be Gabrielle Pohlman’s J/99 MEERBLICK FUN, Jose Antonio & Martin Frias’ J/109 HUAYRA, and Matias Gil Roig’s J/35 BLUE FLAG. For more Palma Vela Regatta sailing information
American YC Spring Series Preview
(Rye, NY)- In the northeast of America, one of the long-standing traditional rites of passage in the spring has been to dust-off the old war horse from its long winter storage, fire up the “make & break engine”, fill up the cooler with food and beverages, and head out onto Long Island Sound for the first of two weekends of sailing in the American Yacht Club Spring Series. A veritable J/Navy is showing up on the two racings areas (East & South course), with ORC/ PHRF handicap raters and one-design fleets of J/44s, J/109s, and J/105s.
The five-boat J/44 Class will see the usual gang, consisting of Bill Ketcham’s MAXINE, Tom Blackwell’s BREAKAWAY, the US Merchant Marine Academy’s COMET, June & Amanda Kendrick’s PALANTIR 5, and Don & Dick Rave’s RESOLUTE.
The eight-boat J/109 Class will also seem of their leading teams on the starting line. Those crews include Bud Rogers’ BIG BOAT, Jonathan Rechtshaffer’s EMOTICON, John Greifzu’s GROWTH SPURT, Robert Schwartz’s NORDLYS and Adrian Bagley’s MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN.
The seven-boat J/105 Class is also looking forward to their two weekends of close racing. Those leading teams include Max Kalehoff’s LAURA BEA, Paul Beaudin’s LOU LOU, and Dave Willis’ SOLUTION.
In the PHRF A class is Steven Levy’s J/121 EAGLE, William Ingraham’s J/124 TENEBRAE, and Len Sitar’s J/160 COUGAR. In the PHRF B class is George Harrington’s J/112E #BIGSANDWICH, Scott Devine’s J/122E REVIVER, Jason Viseltear’s J/80 UPSETTER, EJ Haskell & Jim Weil’s J/92 VIXEN, and Todd Aven’s J/99 THIN MAN. For scores and entries, go to YachtScoring here For more American Yacht Club regatta information
J/99 Spring Tune-Up Clinic
(Newport, RI)- J/Boats is pleased to invite all New England area J/99 owners to a Spring tune-up clinic, to be held at Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island on Friday, June 3rd, 2022.
The goal is to have a fun day on the water getting up-to-speed for the season, and to share a few refreshments with fellow J/99 sailors. Ida Lewis member Jeff Johnstone (J/99 UPBEAT #103) is hosting and will be joined by other industry pros to help the teams get the most out of their boats.
If you can’t bring your boat, please feel free to join us for the clinic. We will have some extra crew spots available. Please RSVP by May 15th to Kendra Muenter [email protected] Tel 401-846-8410
NEW J/Gear April Special- 20% off!
(Newport, RI)- The J Dri-Duck long sleeve shirt is a rugged, but comfortable, and offers the best characteristics for a marine environment.
The fabric is 2.8 oz. 100% polyester, textured with a two-tone dobby pattern. Plus, it offers UPF 50+ sun protection.
Some of the nice features include a button-down collar with industrial strength buttons, sunglass loop and hidden cleaning cloth at hem, chest pockets with flaps, and vented back with Flex-Mesh™ for breathability and extended range of motion.
The J Class logo of your choice is distinctly embroidered on the sleeve, and you may customize with your yacht name and sail number. For more J Dri-Duck shirt ordering information
Sailing Calendar
Apr 30-May 1- J/44 Spring Champs- American YC- Rye, NY
May 13-15- Annapolis Sailing World Regatta- Annapolis, MD
May 13-15- J/30 East Coasts- Annapolis YC- Annapolis, MD
May 23-28- J/24 US Nationals- Dallas Corinthian YC- Oak Point, TX
Jun 3-6- J/22 Europeans- North Sea Regatta- Scheveningen, The Netherlands
Jun 3-5- Bayview One-Design Regatta- Bayview YC- Detroit, MI
Jun 3-6- J/22 Europeans- North Sea Regatta- Scheveningen, The Netherlands
Jun 10-12- Chicago Sailing World Regatta- Chicago, IL
Jun 17-26- Cleveland One-Design & Offshore Race Week- Edgewater YC- Cleveland, OH
Jun 17-19- J/70 Nantucket Summer Open- Great Harbor YC- Nantucket- MA
Jun 23-26- J/70 Corinthian Nationals- Edgewater YC- Cleveland, OH
Jun 23-25- Edgartown Race Weekend- Edgartown YC- Edgartown, MA
Jul 2-9- J/80 Europeans- Centre Nautique de Saint-Cast- Saint-Cast, France
Jul 3-8-J/22 Worlds- Point YC- Durban, South Africa
Jul 12-16- J/109 East Coast Championship- New York YC- Newport, RI
Jul 14-22- J/24 Worlds- Corpus Christi YC- Corpus Christi, TX
Jul 16- Bayview Mackinac Race- Bayview YC- Port Huron, MI
Jul 23- Chicago Mackinac Race- Chicago, IL
Jul 28-31- Marblehead Sailing World Regatta- Marblehead, MA
Jul 28-30- J/46 Camden Classics- Camden YC- Camden, ME- contact Tom Babbit- [email protected]
Jul 28-30- J/42 Camden Classics- Camden YC- Camden, ME- contact Galen Todd at 207-542-3239 or [email protected]
Jul 29-31- Ugotta Regatta- Harbor Springs, MI
Jul 29-31- J/111 Great Lakes Regatta- Harbor Springs, MI
Aug 18-20- Ida Lewis Distance Race- Ida Lewis YC- Newport, RI
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
Gorgeous SPI OUEST France Regatta
(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- Over the Easter Weekend, La Trinité sur Mer had over 2,000 sailors meet for their beloved Le Spi Ouest-France Banque Populaire Grand Ouest Regatta. The weather Godz offered beautiful conditions all weekend on Quiberon Bay, much to the delight of the hundreds of boats on the water. There were a few remarkable performances by various J/Teams in both the IRC handicap and one-design classes.
The eighteen-boat J/70 class saw a Spanish team prevail, with Luis Martin Cabiedes’ NOTICIA taking class honors with a few firsts…. like SEVEN firsts in nine races. To say their performance was stunning would be a mild understatement. NOTICIA simply smoked the fleet in complete clinic on how to sail a J/70 fast all around the race track. Herve Leduc’s PIERRE OCEANE took the silver, winning one of the races. Phillippe Guigne’s VIRTUAL REGATTA 70 took the bronze, also winning a race. Rounding out the top five was Laurent Charmy’s SL MAINTENANCE FASTWAVE in fourth and Guillaume Plassart’s IZENAH 4 in fifth place. Top woman skipper was Elizabeth Vaillant’s TRISKELL in eighth.
For the fifty-seven-boat J/80 class, it was a full-on battle for supremacy between long-time class leaders Simon Moriceau and Patrick Bot. Winning the first three races in their bid to dominate was Bot’s ECOLE NAVALE LOCA PONTON. However, four days of racing would take its toll on Bot’s crew… perhaps enjoying a few celebratory magnums of wine after their first day’s good fortune. Pacing them all along was Simon Moriceau’s PL YACHTING & ARMEN HABITAT, second after the first day but closing strongly as the regatta unfolded. In the end, Bot’s team had a hard time getting finishes in the top 10 in their last four races, losing out to Moriceau’s “hot hand” when they closed with a 1-5-2 to win the class. Third was top woman skipper Anne Phelipon’s NAVIGATLANTIQUE. Rounding out the top five was the Spanish team of Almandoz Iker’s EBATA 80 in fourth and Pierre Laouenan’s ELITE ECOLE NAVALE in fifth position.
In the eleven-boat IRC A division, Phillipe Baetz’s J/122E MUSIX placed fourth.
In the hotly contested twenty-nine-boat IRC B division, the biggest and most competitive handicap class at SPI Ouest, top woman skipper Maxime Mesnil’s J/99 AXE SAIL won class honors with a very consistent 5-1-7-1 for 14 pts. winning, in fact, on a tie-breaker. Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Didier Le Moal’s J/99 J-LANCE 25 with a 3-6-2-4 for 15 pts. only one point back. Yet, one more point back in fourth place was Samuel Prietz’s J/109 FELIX VI with 16 pts.
Winning the thirty-four-boat IRC Double division was Phillippe Girardin & Gwenael Thomas’ J/120 HEY JUDE… beating perhaps one of the most famous French offshore duos- the JPK 1080 RACING BEE 2.
In the thirty-three-boat Osiris Group C division, Samuel Blevin’s J/109 AXILONE-JOKE took the silver, losing the class win by 1 pt. Pascal Rialland’s J/88 JUMPIN JACK placed fifth . For more SPI OUEST France Regatta sailing information
J/111 Dominates Southern Straits Double Race
(Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)- After a two-year hiatus, one of the Pacific Northwest’s classic (tough!) overnight distance races, Southern Straits, was back in action for 2022. Even better, travel requirements eased between the US and Canada, and that meant a fleet of American boats could make their way to West Vancouver Yacht Club for some competitive racing over Easter weekend.
The forecast for race day didn’t look too inviting with rain, maybe snow, hours of no breeze, and COLD temperatures, but does one ever fully trust a forecast? Yes, it rained a little, but it was also blowing 20-25 from behind at the same time, so we hardly noticed. There was a wind hole, but it was sunny, and didn’t last that long. Then, the forecast totally missed the big full moon and clear skies that made the night sailing just magical. Okay, there was snow just a few hundred feet up the mountains on both sides of the race course, but come on, how beautiful was that?
While the medium course was essentially 49.0nm out and 49.0nm back, the fleet experienced a variety of conditions from 0-25 knots and every wind angle.
Coming out on top, after crossing the finish line at 3:30am was the J/111 RAKU sailed doublehanded by Christina and Justin Wolfe, besting a fleet of 29 fully crewed boats and 2 other doublehanders. This was a great result for RAKU, coming just 3 months before they tackle the Pacific Cup doublehanded from San Francisco to Hawaii.
The J/109 DIVA (Jim Prentice) landed on the podium in 3rd overall, while the J/99 DASH (Ken Machtley & Stephanie Arnold) finished 2nd in Division 2, also racing doublehanded and preparing for Pacific Cup.
In the long race of 145.0nm, Alex Smyth’s J/111 65 RED ROSES II took the silver medal, while another J/111, Tolga Cezik’s LODOS, took 6thin class.
In the PHRF 8 Inshore division, Andre Dessau’s J/22 CATCH 22 won her division quite handily, followed by their colleagues in fourth place- Mardy Grossman’s J/30 DESPERADO. For more Southern Straits Race sailing information
RORC Easter Challenge a Wild Success
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The Royal Ocean Racing Club initiated their Easter Challenge event to help boat owner and crews shake out the cobwebs accumulated over the winter months and start fresh for the sailing season with lots of talented coaches providing tips & tricks on sailing their boats offshore. It has become a popular event because it’s a great tune-up for the crew and gets everyone up-to-speed very fast. Here’s the daily reports on what took place on the Solent, off Cowes, England.
FRIDAY Glammer
The first day was blessed with sparkling conditions in the Solent. A light gradient breeze from the southeast built during the day to over 10 knots of pressure. Brilliant sunshine throughout the day added to the superb conditions. The RORC Race Committee led by Steve Cole held a number of practice starts, followed by three short, sharp windward leeward races.
The coaching team out on the water giving competitors top advice included North Sails and a RORC team run by Andrew ‘Dog’ Palfrey. After racing, competitors enjoyed a free bowl of pasta and a beer before the well-attended coaching debrief at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.
“The coaching team have one overall goal and that is to help all the teams progress at an early stage in the season. The wind strength was better than expected, not especially shifty, but wind speed did vary,” commented North Sails’ Jeremy Smart. “In puffy conditions, anticipating the change becomes very important and we saw quite a few teams not foreseeing the change in gear, so that is definitely an area for them to work on.”
IRC Two
The largest class in the regatta also produced the closest racing. Team Knight Build on J/112 HAPPY DAIZE is skippered by James Chalmers. HAPPY DAIZE finished the day in pole position for the class by a single point.
After the first RORC Easter Challenge debrief, lead coach Andrew ‘Dog’ Palfrey commented: “What a wonderful attendance at the RORC! Thanks, and we hope you got something from the debrief. Overall, a great start for day one of the season in fabulous conditions.”
The RORC Cowes Clubhouse was full of smiling sailors relishing the prospect of similar glamorous conditions for the second day of the RORC Easter Regatta.
SATURDAY Glammer Two-peat
The Easter treats continued for close to 300 hundred sailors taking part. Fabulous sailing conditions continued in the Solent. The RORC Race Committee, led by Steve Cole, with Paul Jackson as PRO, organized two race courses giving the fleet a mixture of windward-leeward races and round the cans courses. Three races were completed for all three IRC Classes; a southeasterly breeze of 10 to 16 knots, with beautiful spring sunshine, provided superb racing.
A race debrief was held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse with more expert advice from Andrew ‘Dog’ Palfrey and the coaching team, and included drone footage from North Sails of starts, mark roundings and boat handling. Those unable to attend watched the presentation via Zoom with documents, videos and pictures also uploaded to the Cloud.
“What a fantastic job by the RORC Race Committee; a great mixture of courses, which is what you want for a training regatta,” commented Dog Palfrey. “We have seen some solid improvements since the first day. There is still a way to go to be consistently well-sailed, but every team has made ground towards that goal.”
IRC Two
After posting a 1-2-4 today, J/112E HAPPY DAIZE raced by Team Knight Build, retained the class lead by a single point.
“We love this regatta,” commented Henry Foster, skipper of Fujitsu British Soldier. “The debriefs are really useful because we have a lot of crew turbulence due to Army commitments, so the learnings from this regatta are invaluable for the new crew who have joined us this weekend. I have been doing this regatta for 15 years and what RORC and North Sails provide is really good for setting up the boat for the season. This is a great regatta, and we really enjoy it. We have been working on our upwind settings and we got a lot of good feedback from Andrew Palfrey. Tactically, we have improved our starts and getting into the phase of the shifts up the first beat. We have bigger boats in our class, and it is very important to perform well on the first beat. We have been improving race-on-race, so we are really pleased.”
SUNDAY Glammer Three-peat
Classic Solent conditions prevailed for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s first inshore regatta of the 2022 season. The Solent delivered magnificent weather every day of the RORC Easter Challenge, but Mother Nature saved the best until last. Easter Sunday was blessed with a solid south-easterly, building during the day along with the tide.
At the final Prize Giving held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse, Regatta Race Manager Steve Cole introduced RORC Commodore James Neville. James awarded glassware to the IRC class winners and the customary Easter Egg frenzy was well received by a big turn out!
“A fantastic regatta and it has been great to see so many teams competing in fine weather and looking forward to a busy season of racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club,” commented James Neville. “A big ‘Thank You’ to Steve Cole and his race team, as well as the coaches led by Dog Palfrey, who have done an absolutely cracking job. I know I speak for so many teams when I say that the North Sails debriefs and help out on the water has been really appreciated.”
With outside assistance allowed during the regatta, a RORC coaching team supported by North Sails, was led by Andrew ‘Dog’ Palfrey. All competitors were offered coaching during racing, plus the daily video debriefs and online content provided an opportunity to take-in the lessons learnt. At the Saturday debrief, one of Dog Palfrey’s main points was the start routine and the final day’s racing proved that the teams were listening. Two races were held for all IRC classes with close to blanket starts achieved by the competitors.
Taking the silver in IRC Two was the J/112E HAPPY DAIZE. Skipper James Chalmers commented: “I have not been at the Easter Challenge for many years, and we are really glad that we have competed this year. The competition on the water, especially with British Soldier and La Réponse, has been excellent. Right up to the last race we were crossing each other, and that sort of competition increases performance. A big ‘Thank You’ to the RORC and the coaching team for organizing a superb regatta. Our big regatta this year will be Cork Week in July and we have made a huge amount of progress for that event at the RORC Easter Challenge.” For more RORC Easter Challenge sailing information
J/Community
What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
Dog Smile Adventures- a J/105 Therapeutic Sailing Program
(Coeur d’Alene, ID)- Jon Totten, started a therapeutic sailing nonprofit on a J/105 about a year ago. He just did a podcast interview about the whole journey- it is long but well worth a listen. It’s the story of how he ended up bringing his boat from Grenada, through the covid shutdown mid delivery, and finally to Idaho, all after going through addiction and rehab.
It’s an incredible journey, and what he is doing now is even more powerful. He speaks highly of the J/105, and how it’s the perfect platform to provide healing experiences. His goal is to give sailing to those who need it, for free. J/105 Podcast The Dog Smile Adventures Website