{"id":23520,"date":"2024-09-11T18:00:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T18:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/?p=23520"},"modified":"2025-01-08T16:13:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T16:13:04","slug":"j-newsletter-september-11th-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/j-newsletter-september-11th-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"J\/Newsletter- September 11th, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Sea Fever”<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

A poem by John Masefield<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And the wheel\u2019s kick and the wind\u2019s song and the white sail\u2019s shaking,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And a grey mist on the sea\u2019s face, and a grey dawn breaking,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 To the gull\u2019s way and the whale\u2019s way where the wind\u2019s like a whetted knife;\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trek\u2019s over.<\/p>\n

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!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fall Boat Shows Calendar!<\/h1>\n

(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.<\/p>\n

USA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Newport Boat Show- Newport, RI – September 12th to 15th, 2024<\/strong>
On 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!\u00a0For more\u00a0Newport Boat Show information<\/a><\/p>\n

Annapolis Sailboat Show- Annapolis. MD – October 10th to 14th, 2024
This 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.\u00a0For more\u00a0Annapolis Sailboat Show information.<\/a><\/p>\n

EUROPE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grand Pavois- La Rochelle, France- October 3rd to 6th, 2024<\/strong>
The 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\u00a0Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show information<\/a><\/p>\n

Valencia Boat Show- Valencia, Spain- October 23rd to 27th, 2024<\/strong>
At 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!\u00a0 For more\u00a0Valencia Boat Show information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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AYACUCHO Crowned J\/70 USA Corinthian National Champions!\u00a0<\/h1>\n

(Cape May, NJ)- Last weekend, the Corinthian Yacht Club in Cape May, \u00a0NJ 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u2019s father Brad Read (e.g. Brad is a J\/24 World Champion)!<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels great!\u201d said Gary. \u201cI\u2019ve sailed J\/70s for a long time, but this is only my third regatta driving one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team was supported by a large group of loved ones. \u201cIt\u2019s a whole family affair. I travel with my Dad. My Mom and sister usually come too. Brendan\u2019s Mom and Travis\u2019s girlfriend are here as well. We had about 11 people cheering us on. I\u2019ve sailed with Travis and Brendan for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of the top teams here usually sail with professionals, so you knew the game was on,\u201d said Gary. \u201cWe had no race wins. Consistency was the key for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rounding out the top five was Keane’s SAVASANA in fourth place and Scott Foxman’s RELENTLESS in fifth place.<\/p>\n

The Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May went above and beyond to host one of the J\/70 Class\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Sailing photo credits- Hannah Lee Noll<\/a>\u00a0 For more\u00a0J\/70 USA Corinthian Nationals sailing information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Glorious, Lucky Charms J\/CUP Ireland \u00a0 \u00a0<\/h1>\n

(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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

J\/109 Class
The thirteen-boat fleet saw a battle royale develop amongst several of the class veterans for the top of the podium. \u00a0Emerging 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!<\/p>\n

J\/24 Class
The 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

J\/80 Class
The 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!<\/p>\n

IRC Division
Eight 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.\u00a0 For more\u00a0Northern Trust J\/Cup Ireland regatta sailing information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A WILD RIDE Dominates J\/35 North American Championship<\/h1>\n
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(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!<\/p>\n

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\u2013 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!<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

J\/35 40th Anniversary\u00a0
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Rod Johnstone\u2019s 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\u00a0J\/35 North Americans sailing information.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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HONEYBADGER Captures J\/24 US National Championship<\/h1>\n
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(Wayzata, MN)\u2014 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Keeping up his momentum from winning this year\u2019s J\/24 North American Championship, Travis Odenbach\u2019s 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\u2019s AMUSE BOUCHE of Seattle (20 net points). \u2028\u2028Half of the fleet competed in the Corinthian Division, won by Nobuyuki Imai\u2019s SIESTA from Japan, ahead of Dave Breitner\u2019s USUAL SUUSPECTS and Bill Allen\u2019s OZ.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 For more\u00a0J\/24 US National Championship sailing information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Upcoming Events<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Sandberg Estates J\/70 Worlds Preview\u00a0<\/h1>\n
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(Palma Mallorca, Spain)-\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n

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).
\u00a0
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).\u00a0<\/p>\n

The favorites in the competition include the defenders of the title, Charles Thompson\u2019s BRUTUS II from the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Great Britain, and the North American team Richard Witzel\u2019s ROWDY from the Chicago Yacht Club, past J\/70 World Champion Joel Ronning\u2019s CATAPULT from the Wayzata Yacht Club, Douglas Rastello\u2019s GOOD TO GO from Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and Brian Keane\u2019s SAVASANA from Beverly Yacht Club.
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From South America, the main favorites are Argentine team Guillermo Parada\u2019s NILDO from the Club N\u00e1utico de San Isidro, Mexicans Ignacio P\u00e9rez Moret\u2019s ZAGUERO from the Vallarta Yacht Club, the Brazilian team Selmo Nissenbaum\u2019s HIGHLANDERS and Ralph Vasconcellos\u2019s MINDSET, Haroldo Holberg’s OCEANPACT, and Renato Faria’s TO NESSQ, all from the IC R\u00edo de Janeiro.<\/p>\n

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, \u00a0Luis 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\u00a0J\/70 World Championship sailing information.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Rolex Big Boat Series Preview<\/h1>\n
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(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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving 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,\u201d said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. \u201cI wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world\u2019s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,\u201d commented Ryan Simmons from the J\/105 BLACKHAWK.<\/p>\n

Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cWe always have our competitors\u2019 best interests in mind and after taking in sailors\u2019 feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2014and hopeful.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lucky, we have low turnover on our team\u2014we\u2019ve been sailing together a long time and it\u2019s a big difference,\u201d says Simmons. \u201cOur competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s currently leading the local J\/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA first place on NE*NE is eluding me!\u201d says Russell. \u201cYou have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Peter Wagner won last year\u2019s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J\/111 he\u2019s owned since 2015. Winner of the J\/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club\u2019s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,\u201d says Wagner. \u201cIn this particular event, we\u2019ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,\u201d says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cThe event is such an important part of the StFYC\u2019s 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\u2019 status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green\/ UltimateSailing.com<\/a>. For more\u00a0ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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American Yacht Club Fall Regatta Announcement<\/h1>\n
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(Rye, NY)- There is still time to register for the American Yacht Club Fall Regatta classic on Long Island Sound! You don\u2019t want to miss one of the last big regattas of the 2024 sailing season in the northeastern seaboard!!<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Time to get busy and get your team\u00a0ready for the AYC Fall Regatta- register here!<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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J\/Community<\/h1>\n
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What J\/Sailors, family, and friends are doing worldwide<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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J\/24 Fleet #1 Founders and Wayzata Yacht Club Honored<\/h1>\n
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Above From L to R: Andy Spence-Parsons (Former Commodore WYC), Rolf Turnquist, and Jeff Johnstone.<\/em><\/p>\n

(Wayzata, MN)- At the recent J\/24 US Nationals, J\/24 Fleet #1 founders John Gjerde, Rolf Turnquist, Dale \u201cDirtball\u201d Anderson, and the Wayzata Yacht Club were honored with the J\/24 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Jeff Johnstone, President of J\/Boats. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

John Gjerde and Dale \u201cDirtball\u201d Anderson got on the phone with Rod Johnstone, peppering him with questions about specs, one-design rules, the builder, you name it. \u00a0Rod 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). \u00a0Soon 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!!<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u2019t make it, so he regretfully had to cancel. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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 \u201cHello my name is Rod Johnstone.\u201d \u00a0Fleet #1 doubled in size in 1978!<\/p>\n

Wayzata Yacht Club\u2019s 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. \u00a0And now, the Wayzata Yacht Club\u2019s Thursday Night summer series draws upwards of 120 boats with no less than 7 active one-design fleets. Wow!<\/p>\n

The inscription on the framed half-model award reads: \u201cIn honor of J\/24 Fleet # 1 founders Dale Anderson, John Gjerde, Rolf Turnquist, and Wayzata Yacht Club \u2013 for their unwavering support, enthusiasm, and lifelong dedication to the J\/24 Class and one-design sailing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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J\/Puma Jam Zip Top- September 20% Off Special<\/h1>\n

(Newport, RI)-\u00a0The 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..<\/p>\n

Material:<\/strong><\/div>\n