Hamburg Boatshow PreviewNew J/70 Debut, Plus J/80 and J/97
(Hamburg, Germany)- The spectacular Hamburg Boatshow will be taking place from the 27th October to 4th of November in the main indoor convention center in downtown Hamburg. Thousands of sailors will make the pilgrimage from across Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and even Russia to see the latest racers and cruisers from the J/Boats high-performance stable. On display will be the new J/70 one-design speedster, the International J/80 and the IRC family-friendly J/97. Be sure to find them at Stand # B-311 in Hall A1.
Hamburg is renowned for its classic German architecture and gardens, spectacular lakes, gracious northern German hospitality and delicious international cuisine. As a crossroads for trade throughout history, Hamburg's seaport brings in goods and international flavors from around the world. Mix that in with an enormous Scandinavian influence over time and you have an extraordinary mix of peoples who have a love for the sea and a desire to enjoy sailing with family and friends-- one might even call it a tradition amongst Hamburg's seafarers!
Debuting for the first time in Germany at the Hamburg Boatshow will be the hot J/70 one-design speedster. The development of a next-generation sportboat that combines the trademark attributes of performance and ease-of-control combined with ramp-launch capability (lifting bulb keel) has opened up entirely new sailing areas for many new J enthusiasts. Learn more about J/70 one-design class racing and its great promise for Germany's many lakes and harbors. For more J/70 sailboat information
The International J/80 continues to see strong class activity around the world, including many of Germany's lakes, the Baltic and around major metro areas like Berlin and Hamburg. The recent J/80 Worlds in Dartmouth, England saw over 70 sailing teams from 14 countries. A record turn-out for ANY International One-design keelboat is expected in Marseilles, France for the 2013 J/80 Worlds on the Mediterranean-- over 135 boats are expected! And, the World Police Sailing Championships in Hong Kong will be sailed in J/80s. Learn more about why the J/80 has such strong appeal across a wide-spectrum of sailors in Asia, Europe and America. For more J/80 sailboat information
The J/97 family cruiser-racer is a powerhouse in European offshore sailing circles, having won Cowes Week, Cork Week, Round Island Race and Spi Ouest France Regattas as well as won/placed in IRC classes in various RORC Offshore races and the Fastnet Race. J/97's enormous, wide-open interior and enclosed aft-head are popular features for families wishing to combine solid offshore performance with casual weekend cruising. For more J/97 sailboat informationFor an appointment to see the 70, 80 or 97, please be sure to contact Henning Mittelmann of Mittelmann's Werft at info@mittelmannswerft.de or phone +49 (0)4642 2722 or via website at http://www.jboats.de
J/80 Police World Championship Preview(Hong Kong, China)- More fascinating sailing development in Asia. As sailing activity continues to grow faster in China and the rest of Asia, the three principal sailing clubs on Hong Kong's amazing harbor- Royal Hong Kong YC, Aberdeen Boat Club and Hebe Haven YC- are coordinating with the Hong Kong Police Sailing Club to host the Police World Sailing Championship on International J/80 One-Designs. Talking about broadening the scope of sailing and participation on a global scale! Police teams from around the world have been practicing on J/80s, wherever they can find them, to prepare for this extraordinary event.
The J/80 Police Worlds will be held in Hong Kong from Oct 21st to 27th. The event is being sponsored by the Hong Kong Police and a company called "SF Express" - a well known "FedEx" type company that services Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Thirteen teams from Hong Kong (3), Australia, England (2), Ireland, Austria, Netherlands, Germany (2) and Switzerland (2) will be participating. Rumor has it that several police teams believe Lauren Mead's all-girls team on the J/80 HAKAWATI, recent winners of Hebe Haven YC's Typhoon J/80 Series, may have the magic ingredients for coaching better tactics and strategy in the capricious waters of Hong Kong Harbour! For more Hong Kong Police Sailing Club and J/80 Police World Championship sailing information
J/105 SoCal & NA's Preview(San Diego, CA)- This year's J/105 Fall Series of regattas promises to be an epic one for the J/105 class, in particular in southern California and for its famous host, the San Diego YC. Starting off with this weekend's event running from October 12th to 14th, the J/105 Southern California Championship serves to be the "warm-up" event for the "big kahuna" the following week, the J/105 North Americans being sailed from October 17th to 21st. After a fortnight's break in the action, the J/105 class again reconvenes to host a "who's who" of famous America's Cup, Star Class, Olympic Class and other champions inn the Masters Regatta on November 1st to 4th. Thereafter, the famous Sir Thomas Lipton Cup will be the grand finale for the J/105s in SoCal with a dozen yacht clubs invited, including several notable "newcomers" like Southern YC and New York YC joining the famous California clubs that have sailed over the past few decades.
This weekend starts the festivities and a month's worth of hot sailing action along San Diego's gorgeous city-front and offshore ocean course off Point Loma. The forecast for the next five days looks like someone ran it through a photocopy machine-- 70s in the day, 60s at night, sunny, with winds West at 8-12 knots! Can't imagine why many of the US Navy's Admirals and other flag officers have retired in the region over the course of time-- they should know! After all, having traveled the world on America's battle-wagons they ought to know where the good weather is!
While the fleet is nowhere near the record set in Annapolis of 73 boats, the SoCal version with 25 J/105s will more than make up for the smaller sized fleet with incredibly competitive racing. Remember, California sailors have won the North Americans in other parts of the world well over a half-dozen times in recent years-- not a bad record. Many of those sailors will be participating in this year's two events, the SoCal Champs and the NA's. Perhaps top billing must go to America's "Best Sailor"- Dennis Conner, according to the recent US Sailing/ Sailing World competition run this past year. Dennis is no stranger to racing one-designs fast, especially various J/Boats over the course of time-- J/24s, J/105s and J/120s. Having purchased his friend Lowell North's J/105 #3 called PHOLLY, Dennis has renamed her DC's PHOLLY and plans to be near the front of the fleet. Other locals from SDYC giving DC some heat will be his "neighbor" Dennis & Sharon Case on WINGS, that "other DC" guy. The WINGS team have upgraded their overall program and have recently been at the top of the pack in recent events. Fellow club members, including Commodore Chuck Driscoll and Tom Hurlburt will be sailing BLOWBOAT. You may recall that Chuck is also a J/120 SoCal Champion in recent years. Other SDYC contenders, almost too numerous to mention, might include Rick Bergmann's ZUNI BEAR, Rick Goebel's SANITY, Steve Howell's BLINK!, and Jon Dekker's AIR BOSS.In terms of the out-of-town contenders, two J/105 North American champions from San Francisco will be participating, including Bruce Stone's ARBITRAGE crew and Tom Coates/ Chris Perkin's MASQUERADE team. Recent Farr 40 champion, John Demourkas from Santa Barbara YC, will be sailing with his fast GROOVERDERCI team. Gary Mozer from Long Beach YC will be racing CURRENT OBSESSION 2. Finally, the "Long Distance Award" surely must go to JB Bednar and team on STINGER, hailing from Lakewood YC in Houston, Texas. The racing promises to be close and fun! For more J/105 championship sailing information
J/Sailing News
The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide
It was a busy week in the first part of October both in Europe as well as the Americas. The fall classic in England, the Garmin Hamble Winter Series, got rolling with J/111s sailing as a one-design class on the Solent. Also sailing were J/122s in the IRC Divisions, sailing fast against some hot IRC boats from Europe. Next week the J/70s start sailing in the Mixed Sportboat Class as well as the one-design classes for J/80s and J/109s, plus some J/97s and J/92s will be participating as well in other IRC classes. The original sprit keelboat that started the whole sprit craze, the J/105, continues to amaze those who sail her, particularly those who've raced her short-handed (single or double). The growth in two-handed racing in Europe continues to amaze even those who are jaded enough to believe that two people can beat a fully-crewed boat! Well, that just happened in the European offshore sailing circuit-- read more about why the J/105 was selected as RORC's Boat of the Year 2012! Over in the America's there was lots of "big boat" activity as well. The world's largest college keelboat sailing regatta, hosted by Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont YC, was held this past weekend with over 425 college/university level kids racing everything from J/105s to J/109s and J/111s to J/122s and J/133s! They had a scream (hoping that some European schools and California schools go for it in 2013!). In Newport, the amazing charity sailing event known as the "Sail for Hope Regatta" saw a huge turnout to support the American Red Cross and the Wounded Warrior Project (analogous to the "Toe-In-The-Water" Charity in England to support war veterans).Read on! The J/Community and Cruising section below continue to enjoy the Caribbean and the South Pacific, staying warm while others are trying to stay warm up north. Check them out! More importantly, if you have more J/Regatta News, please email it or upload onto our J/Boats Facebook page! Below are the summaries.
Regatta & Show Schedules:
Oct 6- Dec 2- Garmin Hamble Winter Series- Hamble, EnglandOct 13-14- J/80 East Coast Championships- Annapolis, MD
Oct 13-14- J/Fest Southwest- Houston, TX
Oct 17-21- J/105 North Americans- San Diego, CA
Oct 18-21- J/30 North Americans- New Orleans, LA
Oct 20-27- Rolex Middle Sea Race- Gzira, Malta
Oct 26-28- J/24 East Coast Championship- Annapolis, MD
Oct 26-28- J/80 Italian Nationals- Sestri Levante, Italy
Oct 31- Nov 4- J/80 North Americans- Ft Worth, Texas
Nov 1-4- J/80 French Nationals- Douarnenez, France
Nov 3-4- J/70 Fall Brawl Regatta- Annapolis, MD- Eastport YC
Nov 14-18- J/24 North Americans- Jacksonville, Florida
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
J/105 DIABLO Wins RORC Yacht of the Year!(London, England)- The 2012 season, consisting of 10 offshore races, was host to unpredictable conditions ranging from the lightest of breezes to the roughest of seas. Many boats were pushed to their limits, particularly in the Myth of Malham Race when only 3 boats, one Two-Handed, held their nerve to finish. The father and daughter team, Simon and Nikki Curwen on the J/105 VOADOR, won the race overall, beating the two other fully crewed finishers!
Two of the cross channel races had particular significance this year. The Cervantes Trophy Race was combined with the 50th Anniversary of the Deauville Race and attracted over 100 entrants from the five organising yacht clubs.
2012 was Nick Martin's year. The RORC member has raced his J/105, DIABLO-J, Two-Handed through many RORC seasons, consistently finishing at the top end of the leader board.
Shorthanded racing has a growing number of devotees who take pleasure from the physical and mental demands of racing. Snatching mere moments sleep and going through maneuvers other boats do fully crewed means that racing competitively against the main fleet requires stamina, grit and determination. DIABLO-J's achievement cannot be underestimated: to win the Two Handed class is impressive, and to win IRC Three extraordinary, but to then place 3rd in IRC Overall is outstanding!
DIABLO-J's 1st place in IRC Three follows a 4th placing in 2011 and they came through to beat the previous two-time winner, Foggy Dew. In the end, an enormous and heart-felt "Congratulations" to Nick Martin and team aboard DIABLO-J, truly a remarkable performance across the span of an entire sailing season in the challenging offshore waters between the UK and France! For more RORC Series sailing information
JITTERBUG Dancing a Jig On The HambleJ/122s JOULOU & JOOPSTER Sashaying to IRC Leads
(Hamble, England)- Someone forgot to tell the weather gods that it was the start of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series this weekend. Light and fluky winds plagued competitors and race officers alike, with PRO Jamie Wilkinson describing it as 'possibly the lightest wind I have ever run a Winter Series race in!'
The first and third weekends of the series also host the MDL Hamble Big Boat Championships, and competitors racing in the J/111 and IRC classes managed to get in two of the scheduled four races on Saturday in a decreasing breeze that set the scene for the remainder of the weekend. French J/111 JITTERBUG, sailed by Cornel Riklin, won both races in the J/111 class and in the IRC fleet there were also some wins for the J/122 JOOPSTER sailed by Neil Kipling.
Sunday saw a battle between the gradient northerly and a light southeasterly, which cancelled each other out for much of the morning as the fleet waited under an AP. The race team managed to get the Big Boat championships fleet, IRC 0, IRC 1, IRC 2 and the J/111's away before the wind stalled again, and by 1300, racing for the rest of the competitors in the main series was postponed, to be sailed another day.
Those that did manage to start had a frustrating race, with the windspeed not exceeding 5 knots. Nonetheless, in the MDL Hamble Big Boat Championship, the J/111 MUNKENBECK sailed by Alfred Munkenbeck ended JITTERBUG's two-race reign, claiming first place on Sunday. She now trails JITTERBUG by two points in the J/111 one-design class with a 2-3-1 record for 6 pts. Just behind them are David & Kirsty Apthorp in J-DREAM with a 3-2-3 score for 8 pts. And in IRC, Neil Kipling's J/122 JOOPSTER won Sunday's race to take the top spot overall! In the main Garmin Hamble Winter Series, IRC 0 was topped by Dr Ivan Trotman’s J/122 JOLOU.
Next weekend the club hosts the first of two Lewmar Hamble One Design Championship weekends, with racing for One Design classes including the J/109 and J/80. Next Sunday will also see the second race day of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series. Everyone are keeping their fingers and toes crossed for some more breeze! Sailing photo credits- Paul Wyeth For more Garmin Hamble Winter Series sailing information
J/Teams Support "Sail for Hope" Regatta(Newport, RI)- This year's regatta marks the 11th running of Sail for Hope. In the wake of the 9/11/2001 attacks on America, a few local sailing enthusiasts scrambled to organize a regatta to honor and support those affected. The event is the classic "Around Jamestown Island" race that is about 19.5 nm around the East and West Passages of Narragansett Bay.
The first Sail For Pride Regatta rallied over 180 boats and $110,000 designated for charities to support the NYFD firefighters, police and the victims of the attacks and their families. The display of patriotism and generosity on and off the water made a lasting impression in the sailing community.
After the inaugural year, the organizers retired the name Sail For Pride, but continued the event as Sail For Hope, reflecting the Rhode Island state motto and aimed at supporting local charities. Charities supported over the years have included RI Red Cross, Seamen's Church Institute, Newport Harbormaster's Emergency Equipment Fund, local public high school sailing teams, US Olympic Sailing Trials and many more, including a huge fund-raising year in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. To date, over $800,000 has been raised for a wide variety of charities, including RI Red Cross and the Wounded Warrior Project- an organization that actively puts forth a rehabilitative effort in assisting our warriors to recover and transition back to a civilian lifestyle.On Saturday, the 6th of October, seventy-seven boats participated, including a large fleet of eleven J/22 one-designs and several PHRF classes. In the J/22 one-designs, it was Whitney Slade and crew that took home the silverware by 3 min 26 secs over Matt Chao's team in second. Third was Alan Renfrew another 2 min back. Fourth was Rufus Van Gruisen and third was PJ Maltais.
For the PHRF 6 handicap class, the J/111s sailed well with Doug Curtiss on WICKED 2.0 taking second place and class newcomer David Brodsky and Fred Van Liew sailed their new J/111 ODYSSEY to 5th overall in their first outing! The J/111s in New England "welcome" Dave and Fred and look forward to sailing with them in the 2013 sailing season!
In the PHRF Non-Spinnaker class, the J/28 WHALAYED sailed by John Whaley finished 3rd overall. In PHRF 4 class, the J/30 RHAPSODY sailed by Bill Kneller was 2nd overall and the J/24s NIGHTHAWK (Barker, Ryan, McVicker) and BUCKSHOT (Larry Colantuono) were 4th and 5th, respectively. Sailing photo credits- George Bekris For more Sail for Hope Regatta sailing information
US NAVY J/133 Wins College Big BoatsIntercollegiate Offshore Regatta- World's Largest College Sailing Event
(Larchmont, NY) - A record 425 college sailors from 38 schools racing 43 borrowed boats came together for the 2012 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta hosted by the Storm Trysail Foundation and Larchmont Yacht Club. With so many college sailors participating, the event has become the world’s largest college sailing regatta. Schools travelled from Canada, the Midwest, New England and the mid-Atlantic states with the University of Wisconsin Madison traveling the farthest.
The regatta introduces college sailors, most of whom sail dinghies, to the dynamics of big boat racing. This regatta also gives college sailors who already have big boat experience a chance to take charge of some of very vast and evenly matched offshore boats. The fleet racing boats were divided into five divisions: J/105s (10 boats), J/109s (8 boats), J/44s (five boats), a PHRF class (10 boats) and an IRC class (10 boats). The IRC class included four Swan 42s, a King 40, a Farr 400 and an assortment of J/Boats ranging from a J/133 to a J/111. These are very leading edge boats! In fact of the 43 boats sailing, 28 of them were J/Boats- 65% of the fleet! Kudos to all the J/Boat owners in the Northeast and Long Island Sound for supporting this remarkable event!Five races were sailed over the course of the two-day weekend. A fresh 15-20 knot breeze on the first day created some great photo moments as boats rolled out or had problems getting spinnakers down. For the most part, the students handled the boats well. On the second day, the race committee was lucky to get two races in before the wind faded to zero. For the IRC division, the second beat of the second race turned into a run as the wind shifted from the north to the southeast, prompting the race committee to shorten or abandon for certain classes.
The U.S. Naval Academy team sailing the J/133 BACCHANAL received the Paul Hoffmann Trophy as the overall winner of the regatta. The Ed duMoulin Trophy was presented to BACCHANAL's owner, former Larchmont YC Commodore Jan Smeets. Navy won the IRC division sailing the J/133 to a 3-1-1-1-1 record for 7 pts. Fourth in IRC was Hamilton College team sailing the J/122 CHRISTOPHER DRAGON (Andrew Weiss) to a 4-6-3-2-9 score for 9 pts, dropping from 2nd overall due to slow performance on the last race. Sixth was the J/111 PARTNERSHIP (David & MaryEllen Tortorello) sailed by VILLANOVA with a 6-5-7-5-4 tally for 27 pts, showing steady improvement on how to sail their horse a bit faster over the weekend. 
The J/44 Class had a remarkably tight and competitive regatta for the five boats sailing. Keeping up with their tradition of having the tightest one-design big-boat competition anywhere, the top three podium finishers were determined on a tie-breaker, based on most first/seconds. The previous IOR Overall Winners, Maine Maritime, won the J/44 division sailing Jim Bishop’s GOLD DIGGER with a 1-1-5-3-3 record for 13 pts. Second was another well-sailed NAVY team on board MAXINE (Bill Ketcham), scoring 5-2-3-2-1 for 13 pts, too. Third was MASS MARITIME sailing VAMP (Len Sitar) to a 2-4-4-1-2 also for 13 pts! 
Like their compatriots in the J/44s, the MASS MARITIME team in the J/109 Class sailed well to clinch their glass sailing time won the J/109 division sailing Adrian Begley’s MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN to a 1-4-3-4-3 tally for 15 pts. Second and nearly pulling off a win in the last race was MAINE MARITIME sailing STRATEGERY (Jack Forehand) to a 7-1-2-1-5 for 16 pts-- having to absorb a scoring penalty in the first race. Third was WEBB INSTITUTE sailing APSARA (Mike Sleightholme) to a very steady 3-3-7-3-1 record for 17 pts to nip QUEENS UNIVERSITY on a tie-breaker sailing NORDLYS (Bob & Ellen Schwartz). Fifth was MIAMI OF OHIO sailing VENTO SOLARE (Paul Milo).
BOWDOIN won the J/105 division sailing Carl Olsson’s MORNING GLORY to a 2-1-4-2 record for 9 pts. Three points back was UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN BADGERS sailing PEREGRINA (Josh Burack) to a 1-2-5-4 tally for 12 pts. Third was STEVENS INSTITUTE sailing SYNERGY (Perry Moy) to a 4-5-2-7 for 18 pts. Rounding out the top five were RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) in fourth on PLANET CLAIRE with 21 pts (John Koten) and fifth was YALE on LIQUID COURAGE (Dan Herron) with 23 pts.In PHRF Division, OHIO STATE sailed Bill Mack's J/120 M-SQUARED to second overall with a 1-3-1-4-7 record for 16 pts- a bummer for them after having started so strongly the first day to be easily leading PHRF class, only to lose those hard-earned races with a 4-7 on the last day-- perhaps they had too much fun Saturday night dancing?
Besides great sailing, the regatta is free for the boat owners and sailors thanks to carefully cultivated sponsorship. There is no entry fee or damage deposit. There are two free dinners for the sailors as well as 125 free pizzas for the awards ceremony, at least five kegs of beer, 55 cases of soda and 800 Good Humor Ice Cream bars. Great sailing, plenty of socializing and free food – no wonder so many kids call the IOR the highlight of their college sailing year!! Here are a sample of the e- mails that came in from sailors and boat owners:“Again, what an amazing weekend at the IOR! We had SUCH a great time! American University would definitely love to participate again next year, so let us know how/when we sign up.” Lisa Gabrielson.
“Once more please accept my thanks for letting me be a part of that terrific regatta this past weekend. What a fitting way to depart Newport and Long Island Sound for home!” Paul Milo- J/109 Vento Solare.
“It is a fantastic event that I only hear the highest appraisals of from everyone that knows about it. Thanks for doing it.” Kenneth Madsen, Vice President of Dimension/Polyant Sailcloth (a regatta sponsor).
Schools that participated were: American University, Bates College, Bowdoin, Bucknell University, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Colgate, Denison, Drexel, Fordham University, Hamilton, Harvard, Maine Maritime Academy, Maryland, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Miami University of Ohio, University of Michigan, Monmouth University, U.S. Naval Academy, University of New Hampshire, Northeastern, Ohio State, University of Ottawa, Purdue, Queens University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Rhode Island, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Stevens Institute of Technology, SUNY at Stony Brook, SUNY Maritime, Tufts, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Villanova, Webb Institute, University of Western Michigan, Williams College, William and Mary, Wisconsin and Yale.In 2012, the IOR was made possible by sponsorship from: Rolex, Vineyard Vines, Safe Flight Instruments, Dimension/Polyant Sailcloth, Brewer Yacht Yards, Flintlock Construction, J/Boats, UK Sailmakers, Gill, Clarion Partners and Yacht Scoring.
The Storm Trysail Foundation and Larchmont Yacht Club extend their sincerest thanks to the regatta’s sponsors, boat owners, volunteers and Event Chairman Adam Loory, a Storm Trysail Club member, without whom this sailing opportunity would not be possible for many college sailors.
Once again there is a contest for the Best Team Sailing Video of the regatta. All 43 college sailing teams were provided with digital video cameras-- all the footage is be pooled together digitally on-line, so any team can take their footage and combine it with others to make a video- documentary, music video, whatever. Let your imaginations run wild with creativity! The winning team will earn a $1,500 prize! VILLANOVA won last year with this sailing video. For full Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta sailing results
J/Community
What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
* J/70s sailing in the Southwest! New J/70 owner Dr. Bruce McDonald has this to say about his most recent experience on the water: "Thanks to all of you who helped to bring about a fun weekend of fantastic sailing. I can’t even vaguely remember any time in my 60+ year history of sailing when I have had so much fun and came in DFL. Normally, such a finish would have me tucking my tail and slinking away. I will need Dr. Crash or maybe Dr. Romberg to explain why I have such joy over something which should be so painful. Such great talent to help me on my way. You guys are the best!!!All I know is that I want to keep doing it as much as possible, with the possible exception of coming in last. Maybe it will be less painful next time. The paradox has at least brought clarity to the naming of the boat after a Greek goddess. Thanks again, Bruce- J/70 #50, Dyspareunia"
Said local J/Boats Southwest dealer, Scott Spurlin, "Bruce was in a pack of well-sailed J/80's and Melges 24's. The rating was 6 sec. faster then the J/80 and he finished boat for boat ahead of a few of them but lost on corrected time. 9 races. All in wind conditions that the J/70 couldn't quite plane, but high enough to keep the J/80's moving fast downwind.
Bruce is a retired surgeon, long time sailor and took delivery of #50 last week. He called me tonight as well. Went on all about the attention he received, how the boat handled, what fun he had, etc. Totally addicted! He said that back at the club he was mobbed. Couldn't get away, and was loving every minute of it!" Nice to hear those kinds of stories every once in awhile!
* "Fifty Shades of Grey"- Peter Gustafsson on J/111 BLUR- had one last outing for speed in Sweden before putting the boat away for the long winter. Gotta hand it to Peter and "the boys", they LOVE sailing their J/111 and just about any opportunity they have for some fun & games, they take it! See their latest attempts at cracking the 20 kt barrier here in this YouTube sailing video.Just to refresh you memories of fun sailing this summer, here's a great video of them sailing their J/111 BLUR after a regatta in Sweden. Said Peter, "The plan was to go to Skagen, but when the wind topped 20 knots and the sea built we decided to pop the spinnaker and go to Marstrand instead. Great ride!"
To give you an idea of how fast the J/111 goes over the course of the wind ranges, Stephane Blanchard sailing his LE JOUET in France has a great site with lots of great info for J/111 owners. Here are their "on-board instrument data" Polar Diagrams for the J/111 LE JOUET based on actual sailing performance using the ADRENA Routing/ Navigation Performance software--- also happens to be a good friend of Stephan's (the ADRENA guy)!
The J Cruising Community
J Cruisers continue their adventures around the world, below are a selection of most excellent "blogs" written by their prolific publishers. Some terribly amusing anecdotes and pearls of wisdom are contained in their blogs. Read some! You'll love it.* The J/42 JARANA continues their epic voyage around the Pacific. Continue to read about Bill and Kathy Cuffel's big adventure cruising the South Pacific headed for New Zealand. Their blog is here: http://www.svjarana.blogspot.com/
* Prolific writers, Bill and Judy Stellin, sailed their J/42 JAYWALKER around the Mediterranean and Europe and back across the Atlantic for nearly three years. Their blogs/journals can be found at- http://blog.mailasail.com/jaywalker. The earlier journals have been compiled into two self published books which can be found at: http://www.blurb.com. Search for "SEATREK: A Passion for Sailing" by Bill Stellin or William Stellin." UPDATE- Just a short note to update from Bill- "Our cruise began in May of 2000 and ended in May of 2008, some 8 years later. I have just finished and published my third and final book covering the last three or so years including our double handed crossing in 16 days and one winter in the Caribbean. Like the others, "Sea Trek- A Passion for sailing- Book III," can be found at www.blurb.com. Thanks, Bill and Judy"
* John and Mary Driver are sailing their J/130 SHAZAM for extended cruising in the Atlantic basin. At this time, John and Mary finished their double-handed crossing of the Atlantic, landing in Portugal on their J/130 Shazam after completion of their ARC Rally. Read the latest news at http://www.sailblogs.com/member/shazam/.* Several J/160 owners are island hopping across the world's oceans, fulfilling life long dreams to cruise the Pacific islands, the Caribbean islands, the Indian Ocean and all points in between. Anyone for Cape Horn and penguins?? Read more about their adventures and escapades (like our J/109 GAIA, J/42s PAX and JAYWALKER and J/130 SHAZAM friends above).
- SALACIA, the J/160 owned by Stephen and Cyndy Everett has an on-going blog describing some of their more amusing experiences (http://www.salacia1.blogspot.com).
- Bill and Susan Grun on the J/160 AVANTE are also sailing in the Pacific archipelago, read more about their great adventures on their blog (http://web.me.com/susangrun). Read about their latest adventures as they've gotten to New Zealand- "Avante Cruises the Pacific".
- Eric and Jenn on the J/160 MANDALAY also sailed the Pacific archipelago, read more on their blog at http://www.sailmandalay.com. Eric and Jenn are J/World alumni took MANDALAY up and down the West Coast (Mexico, CA)
, then to the South Pacific and New Zealand. MANDALAY is back in San Francisco now, and in the J/World fleet--she is available for skippered charters, private instruction, and corporate/executive groups.* The J/109 GAIA (seen right in the Java Sea) was sailed by Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay around the world. In February 2011, their cruising adventures came to an abrupt, sad ending. As a tribute to them and their cruising friends worldwide, we hope their chronicles on their GAIA website remains a tribute to their warm-hearted spirits- read more about why many loved them dearly and will remain touched by their loving spirit forever- http://www.gaiaworldtour.net/
