![Alcatel J/70 CUP in Italy](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/1e24f252-cc8c-45c1-8246-794a225253e3.jpg)
(San Remo, Italy)- For the third year, ALCATEL is sponsoring the Italian J/70 series and are calling it the ALCATEL J/70 CUP; it also serves as the Italian’s J/70 National Championship over a series of five regattas from April to September.
ALCATEL-Lucent, a major European and Italian telecommunications firm headquartered in France, will support and promote these events through a new web site (online soon), new video production capabilities, a YouTube channel, with drones for aerial videos, and last but not least, live streaming broadcasted ashore and on the web site for worldwide distribution.
At each of the events, the regatta will provide owners/participants over 5,000 EUR of prizes and gifts offered by ALCATEL, GILL, FITBIT and other sponsor/partners!
On April 2-3rd, the series will kick-off in Monte Carlo, hosted by the famous YC Monaco off their beautiful club facilities on Hercules Harbor. Then, the series moves on to San Remo, Italy just 25km down the coast to the east. That event takes place from the 7th to 8th of May in San Remo, hosted by the YC San Remo. The combination of the two events (Monte Carlo + San Remo) will constitute the SPRING CUP. The organizers already expect 50 or more boats from 5-6 countries across Europe to attend these two events.
![J/70 World Championship- Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/2b0a1a85-78c1-4758-9204-296977b71183.jpg)
- There will be a few boats available for charter. The are initially reserved for international teams wishing to experience YC Costa Smeralda and the sailing conditions for the 2017 J/70 World Championship in Porto Cervo.
- For those who want to bring their own boat, there is a special price below 500 EUR for the ferry boat crossing between Genoa and Sardinia
- Additionally, J/Boats Italy will offer the service to shuttle the boats from Genoa to Sardinia and back for an additional fee of 500 EUR. This way, owners and crews can conveniently fly to the final destination. The YC Costa Smeralda will offer to all J/70 owners an AUDI shuttle service between Olbia Airport and Porto Cervo.
- We anticipate to transport to Porto Cervo (and back) some 20-25 boats that will meet/race the few boats owned by YC Costa Smeralda already stationed there in the club.
![J/70s sailing Lago di Garda](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/c75f3173-0da0-439b-b760-2dc42a24a384.jpg)
The J/70 Italian Class President, Vittorio Di Mauro says, “We hope that our efforts will convince you to COME TO RACE WITH US! Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Please do not hesitate to ask for help, we hope you can join us!” For more ALCATEL J/70 CUP sailing information
![J/70 sailing J/CUP United Kingdom](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/7434002d-de98-4620-b873-9e40c079c731.jpg)
(Hamble, England)- J/Boats agent Key Yachting Ltd and the Royal Southern Yacht Club are thrilled to announce that entry is open for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup 2016 in Partnership with B&G!
Incorporating the National Championships for the J/88, J/97, J/109 and J/111, the J-Cup is quite simply three days of serious competition coupled with not-so-serious shoreside entertainment, with one design racing for almost everyone. If you have a J/Boat, you're invited! If you are thinking of a “J”, you’re invited! If you want to sail a “J”, you’re invited!
![J/109s sailing J/CUP United Kingdom](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/b45f6a89-cd75-4270-9632-a60fad6399d7.jpg)
The programme includes up to eight races in the Solent, with daily prize-givings and themed suppers every evening, snacks on the pier after racing and, of course, the notorious prize-giving party on the final night, with local favorites “Groove Instinct” (a massively popular rock band in the U.K.) providing the soundtrack.
To enter the J-Cup, or for more information about the event, please visit- http://www.jcup.co.uk. The organizers would like to thank title sponsor Landsail Tyres for supporting the regatta for the second year running and with B&G Electronics. Sailing photo credits- Tim Wright/ Photoaction.com
![J/70s sailing off Monaco](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/c7ff0759-e5a6-4278-a381-42286bb11eb1.jpg)
(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The fifth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series 2015/2016 looks set to be a close-run finale in the J/70 class of this international one-design series, organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco and sailing over the March 4th to 6th weekend.
Held once a month from October to March, based on the initiative from Russian sailor Valentin Zavadnikov (SYNERGY), the regattas give amateur and professional teams an opportunity to establish their winter training base in Monaco to prepare for the summer’s big meetings.
After four Acts and 17 races for the 65 entrants (seven nationalities) in the J/70 class, British sailor Sam Carter skippering BRUTUS currently tops the leaderboard in the provisional ranking for the season. He is just ahead of Stefano Roberti sailing PICININA and Jacopo Carrain’s CARPE DIEM, President of the J/70 Monaco Class Association, 2nd and 3rd, respectively, and both YC Monaco members.
A system of GPS trackers will be following the races “live”, live streaming and direct arbitration on the water are among many tools deployed by YC Monaco to optimize sailors’ preparation and promote development of one-design racing in the Principality. With its new facilities built to host major nautical events, the YC Monaco consolidates its reputation as a winter training & racing base for international sailors. For more J/70 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series sailing information
![J/125 sailing Puerto Vallarta and Mexorc](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/a3701d87-204c-4e55-a7f6-9dae3049af3f.jpg)
(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas is hosting the first edition of the 2016 Copa Federacion Mexicana de Vela (FMV Cup) to be held from February 19 to May 30. The international event convenes for four months of intense competition bringing together some 800 boats and 2,500 sailing enthusiasts and their companions, and expected to contribute over $17 million USD to the PV Chamber of Commerce (hmmm, no wonder they like sailors!).
“The FMV Cup reaffirms Puerto Vallarta’s position in the international landscape as an ideal destination for sailing and boating events,” said Alvaro Garciarce, President of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “The waters around the Bay of Banderas have proven to be the best venue for international sporting events of this level. We welcome all participants and their guests and trust they will enjoy their visit to Puerto Vallarta.”
Set on the Bay of Banderas, a member of the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club,” Puerto Vallarta’s rich history is reflected through its diverse culture, gastronomy and residents. Its horseshoe shaped bay shelters tropical lagoons, rainforests, mangroves, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and spectacular mountains, making it a prime ecotourism destination ideal for a variety of water sports and the observation of Humpback whales that visit the area every year from December to March.
The 2016 FMV Cup for offshore keelboats will include the following races:
1. The 32nd Puerto Vallarta Race- this just finished with Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER finishing 2nd- a good thing (see story below).
![J/120 sailing Puerto Vallarta and Mexorc](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/978e1884-99be-4019-83ce-b925dda1aaa7.jpg)
3. Regata International Bahia de Banderas- will take place from March 9 to 12. One of the more social events, it is one of the biggest regattas for cruisers and racers in the world and is the largest and oldest on Mexico’s West Coast. The regatta is famous for the Banderas Bay Regatta Boat Parade- on Thursday, March 10th at 11:00am- the parade of boats heading to the start line of the first day of racing is a long-standing BBR tradition. While the competitors are out on the race course, spectators can only easily see them with binoculars. The Boat Parade is the best chance for them to see the competing boats up close and to let the skippers and crew hear their cheers of encouragement. All boats registered for the Regatta are encouraged to be a part of this tradition. The theme this year is - “Loving Cruising in Mexico.” Current participants from the J/family include the J/105 SINFONIA NAUTICA with Bart Smit at the helm and the J/80 SHIVA with Rush Faville skippering. For more Banderas Bay Regatta sailing information
![J/105s sailing Chile's Chiloe Regatta](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/2b7c4bd8-b3e0-4b03-af2b-677ad79059b7.jpg)
(Santiago, Chile)- It all starts with family, children, friends and tradition. Plus, a few boats that people from across that family spectrum can enjoy from 8 to 80 yrs old. Imagine what has happened in the past ten years in Chile, it’s nearly a revolution in how sailing in various J’s has brought more families and friends into the sport in Chile- the world’s longest and skinniest country at 2,653 miles high and averages 110 miles wide. How did that ever happen, one might ask rhetorically, given all the chatter around the world about whether or not sailing is growing?!
The plan has been simple in Chile. Whatever you do, make sure the “family wins”. Period. That means Mom, Dad, the girls, the guys, the pro’s, the experienced, the less-than-experienced, the cruisers, the racers should have fun, too. Sound familiar? Yes, that is exactly what is happening with the phenomenon of sailing leagues in Europe- one of the world’s most difficult markets to get sailors engaged after centuries of tradition. Breaking down the barriers of entry and engaging everyone works when done well with the proper boats- ones that do not intimidate sailors, but brings enough fun and excitement that it can be shared with everyone. That is exactly what has happened in an entire country, where no one ever expected it to happen.
![J/105s sailing off Chiloe, Chile](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/d0ec1273-d1f0-437f-84c4-d17fd1c3b6ee.jpg)
The story of J/Boats in Chile as a brand and a class began in 1992 when Germán Fuchs started sailing with ATTACK, that is when the J/24 class started locally. The first J/24 South American Championship in Chile was organized in 1992 on Rapel Lake. By 1994 to 1996, the J/24 class had fleets of 30 or more boats in Nationals events in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Argentina. After 2000, the fleets of J/24 started to change a little; in fact the class drew the attention of the Chilean Navy in Talcahuano and the Chilean Navy started to use the J/24 in their Naval Academy. In fact, some J/24s for the Navy have made it as far south as Porto Williams, by the far the southernmost embarkation point to the infamous Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, and for most expeditions to Antarctica. There is a sailing school today at Porto Williams on J/24s!
About the same time as the J/24 evolution in Chile and South America, there were also several J/35 offshore keelboats that arrived at the end of 1990. One boat, in particular, was the famous SCARAMOUCHE, she famously won several offshore circuits over a 5-6 year period in Chile’s regattas off Algarrobo and Chiloe.
![Chiloe Regatta in Chile](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/8eae0b4e-52ea-4652-914f-f881fe3cf073.jpg)
On the other hand, the port of Talcahuano (450Km south from Santiago- where the 8.8 earthquake/ tsunami hit the hardest in 2012) had developed an important J/24 fleet with more than 15 boats. The class’s success was in part due to the Chilean Navy supporting the growth of the class as a valuable trainer for their officers (e.g. similar to the US maritime academies like the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD). As a result, the J/24 developed all across Chile, mainly in the lakes and some maritime bays. Today, there are around 150 J/24s in Chile.
![J/70 Santander sailing Chiloe Regatta in Chile](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/618350cf-5cfb-479f-91d8-dd28c285f8c1.jpg)
![J/70 Santander Bank sailing Chiloe regatta in Chile](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/90a882de-9ba8-4462-b9e3-0f1a7ab48f40.jpg)
"Our challenge for next Chiloé Regatta (2018), is to keep a good J/105 fleet and have a larger J/70 fleet. Also, I would love to see a couple of J/112E and J/122E teams sailing. Considering the great performance of both boats in IRC events, we are hoping to field some teams in the next Chiloe Regatta.” For more J/Boats Chile sailing information
![](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/072be697-a810-41ed-91ad-dbad05ddc25d.jpg)
The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide
The end of February brings “almost” spring in many parts of the northern hemisphere. And, for those who live “down under”, yet another opportunity to extend their amazingly long summer/fall sailing circuits. Why would anyone live in the north when the summers are so long “down under”?? The math for summer is simple- four months north and six months south. Does anyone have an opinion on this?For those northern sailors, it was the first J/70 Midwinters to take place outside of Key West; a regatta that was attended by 99.9% North American sailors at the fabulously accommodatingly St Petersburg YC in St Pete, Florida. Not far east was the conclusion of the RORC 600 Caribbean for a notorious J/120.
Far out west was the SCYA Midwinters for J/70s, J/24s, J/105s, J/120s, J/109s at three different yacht clubs- yes, that means southern California in sailing conditions that are nearly equal to our most southern friends- 50s at night, 70s in the day.
Not much farther south was the completion of the Puerto Vallarta Race- that 1,000nm sprint down the sparse, but spectacular Mexican Pacific coastline to a gorgeous finish line in the fabulous Bahia de Banderas.
In the meantime, sailing is dialing up in Europe. Big time. While Monaco-based J/70 events are the current mode, the Italian J/24 Spring Series is beginning to roll as well.
Read on! The J/Community and Cruising section below has many entertaining stories and news about J/Sailors as well as cruising blogs about those who 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:
Mar 10-13- J/70 Miami Sailing Week- Coconut Grove, FLApr 16-19- Charleston Race Week– Charleston, SC
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
![J/70 HOSS sailing Midwinters in St Petersburg, FL](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/6069ef58-79ef-430e-b852-ce1dce34502e.jpg)
(Newport, RI)- After three days of nearly perfect weather and breezes, the forty-six teams could not have been more delighted than to have to sail home early afternoon on Sunday with eight very good races completed. Said the 2016 QUANTUM J/70 Midwinter Champions, Glenn Darden and Reese Hillard on HOSS, “St Petersburg YC PRO Todd Fedyszyn and the StPYC Race Committee did a wonderful job. It was tricky, very puffy and shifty, even in the bigger breeze. We got a variety of conditions, which is more than anyone can ask for!” For Tampa Bay, indeed it was nearly “chamber of commerce” conditions, with four races sailed Friday in gorgeous conditions, and two races sailed per day on Saturday and Sunday.
![J/70s sailing off St Petersburg, FL](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/b642f966-4a5d-4c65-8f5a-02462d81018a.jpg)
The winds for the first day were 10-12 knots with gusts to 15 from the WNW. Terhune dazzled in the opening race, trailed by Geoff Becker and the Darden/Hillard team. Becker transferred up to the top spot in the second contest, as Welles took second and Terhune third. It was Welles’ turn for the victory in race three, ahead of Darden/Hillard and John Brim’s RIMETTE. Terhune secured the day’s lead with a bullet in the final battle. Darden/Hillard again grabbed the silver spot with Welles in the bronze.
![women sailing J/70s in Florida](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/5e3893bb-b5e7-4e7a-96a2-ca3e025d60e2.jpg)
With enough local knowledge to make the absolute right call, the St Petersburg YC RC team led by PRO Fedyszyn told the J/70 teams “to get up early and be ready to race at 0930 hours on the dot, or be late to the parade!” Indeed, the RC boats all took off by 0815 hours on a cool Sunday morning, set the course, and started precisely on-time at 0930. Fortunately, most boats heeded the call and were blessed to sail two good, but very shifty races in the third day of a dying northerly, finishing the eighth and final race by noon time in about 5 kts of wind from the north.
![J/70 Midwinter champions- Darden / Hillard's HOSS](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/14160422-dfb1-44c7-9739-e55e9246d6a2.jpg)
Holding on to second place was Welles’ SEA BAGS SAILING TEAM. Similarly, Terhune’s crew on DAZZLER sailed consistently enough to take the bronze overall. Rounding out the top five in the Open Division was Geoff Becker’s USA 25 with 55 pts in fourth place and just 3 pts behind them was John Brim’s RIMETTE with US Sailing Yachtswomen of the Year Steph Roble on-board as tactician.
![J/70 Corinthians winner- Midwinters- SNAPROLL](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/a1fc3edc-423d-45ec-b222-1aac6cc9540e.jpg)
Next stop on the J/70 winter circuit is the Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, March 10th to 13th, hosted by the three clubs on Biscayne Bay- Coral Reef YC, Biscayne Bay YC and Coconut Grove SC. For more Bacardi Miami Sailing week information
![J/120 NUNATAK sailing RORC 600 Caribbean race](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/6942fb05-bfe0-4dfc-b1b3-9526fd503e49.jpg)
(English Harbour, Antigua)- It was a record fleet that took off from English Harbour a fortnight ago. The weather models predicting 14 knots of wind from the southeast and freshening to 20 knots for the balance of the race was not too far off. In such winter Caribbean sailing weather, it generally never is less than spectacular!
While the weather was amazing, the enormous breaking seas and premium on boat-handling and sail changes put some crews under pressure. Sadly, that led to the retirement of Jonty Layfield’s J/11S SLEEPER (an early leader in the race) and to David Ballantyne’s J/133 JINGS- - we hope everyone is well.
Meanwhile, sailing the full 600nm in IRC Doublehanded class was the duo of Elin Haf Davies and Chris Frost on the J/120 NUNATAK. This highly experienced offshore team managed to hang tough and sailed a good race. In fact, the most unfortunate part of their passage around the spectacular islands was noted by Elin when they were sailing amongst the IRC Two yachts passing south of Guadeloupe at 1600 on Day 3; she commented on the competitor’s race blog: “Devastated to have to report that most of my chocolate supply has melted! Frosty will be a hero if he is to survive another 48 hours with me without chocolate! And, if he survives the fury that is Elin without chocolate, he should be made a Saint of Sailing!” Well, turns out he may have been “sainted” by now since they not only survived without chocolate for another day, but won the IRC Doublehanded class! For more RORC Caribbean 600 race sailing information
![J/70s sailing San Diego, CA](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/993003fc-ef93-4776-9a71-e546a9cbc2e9.jpg)
(Marina del Rey, CA)- As one of the world’s more unusually large regattas, the Southern California Yacht Racing Association (SCYA) has their annual SCYA Midwinters hosted at multiple sites across the greater SoCal region that spans from the LA Basin to southwest Arizona! To say the least, that effort encompasses thousands of sailors, hundreds of boats and, certainly, hundreds of volunteers at those sailing clubs that put on this enormously geographical PT Barnum & Bailey’s sailing circus. It’s an enormous undertaking and the range of SCYA clubs have a lot of fun rolling out the proverbial red carpet at each venue, running some fun races, and throwing on their dancing shoes to twirl-away the evening until the wee-hours. No one said that SoCal sailors don’t know how to have fun, after all it’s home to the “surfer culture” that generated such iconic brands as the “Beach Boys”, “Hobie Cats” and the “Windsurfer”- world-changing ideas that changed the sailing world, forever.
From one of the venues, Emily Wilthoff at San Diego YC, provided the following report: “SDYC hosted our portion of the SCYA Midwinters in the Coronado Roads off Point Loma. Over the two days, J/70s, J/80s, and J/120s participated in five races.
The weather was ideal- sunny and mid-70s with above average speeds of 14-15 kts at the start of the first race on Saturday. After that, the winds remained steady at around 8-10 kts on Saturday late afternoon and early Sunday afternoon. On Sunday late afternoon, the winds died down tremendously at the end of the second race causing the race committee to shorten the course.
![J/120s sailing off San Diego, CA](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/319858a5-d69d-4f34-91f6-3edda5bbdf8c.jpg)
Many people worked hard to make this another unforgettable Midwinters regatta at SDYC. A big thank you goes out to Jeff Johnson, Susie Graff and the rest of the race committee volunteers, along with SCYA’s Cleve Hardaker, Jo Ann Sedgwick, SDYC Commodore Doug Werner and the SDYC Board for your help!”
Other than Hatch’s J-ALMIGHTY winning the J/120s, Peter Zarcades’ MELTEMI took second and “the Commodore’s” on Chuck Nichols’ CC RIDER were third.
In the J/70s, it was an interesting scenario since it involved several top J/24 sailors from the West Coast that are clearly gunning and practicing for the J/70 World Championship in September in San Francisco. The top players included a number of West Coast Champions as well as USA National Champions and J/24 North American Champions! John Fuller and Brad Rodi on BL!SS took second just three points back. Taking third in the ten boat class was Chris Snow on COOL STORY BRO with 19 pts. Fourth was Pat Toole from Santa Barbara YC on the familiar TRES PERROS GRANDES (e.g “3 Big Dogs”). Fifth place was Craig Tallman’s JAYA.
Over at California YC in Marina del Rey, they were hosting the J/109s in the 75 Rater class and the J/24s one-design. Top J/109 was Jack Mayer’s ZEPHYR in 3rd place, followed by Peter Nelson’s SPRAY in 4th and Alice Leahey’s GRACE O’MALLEY in 5th position.
Amongst the J/24s at CYC, it was Team TAKE FIVE that won with 10 pts, followed by Tom Tunberg’s BULLET with three bullets but an OCS to drop them into second place. Third was Jim Bauerley’s CRITTER.
In the PHRF SoCal championships, Southwestern YC in San Diego hosted this eclectic group of boats. In PHRF 2, it was Mark Surber’s J/125 DERIVATIVE that took second place. In PHRF 4, David Cattle’s J/27 BLACKADDER took fourth. For more SCYA Midwinters sailing information
![J/125 sailing Puerto Vallarta race](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/354c5634-f761-44d1-995b-2b693b73f18f.jpg)
(San Diego, CA)- The 32nd running of the Vallarta Race, a 1,000nm course from San Diego, USA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, began with staggered starts on February 19 and 20 for the 21-boat field. J/World’s Wayne Zittel commented on the race conditions, “Wow, what a fantastic run we had down the coast of Baja. Seriously, some gorgeous sailing conditions. Rounding Cabo San Lucas, we saw periods of calms, but the sail across the Sea of Cortez was beautiful. From a sailing perspective, it was really shifty and puffy, and lighter for the leaders in front of us. But, if we didn’t have sail changes to break up the cockpit chatter, what else would we be doing? We used almost every sail we brought; 5 different spinnakers, a couple of jibs, a jib top, a code 0, and a couple of staysails.”
Peter Isler, sailing on a 70 footer, had this to say, “At just 45nm from the finish, it was still so close – but so, so far!!! After struggling with nearly 24 straight hours of drifting conditions yesterday – we had another beautiful night sailing fast straight at the mark in a nice 15 knot northwesterly. But, 50 miles from the finish line, Mother Nature was not done with us, and the wind shut down and we drifted again for another few hours – just to make sure we had figured out how to drift faster!”
![J/125 Timeshaver sailing Puerto Vallarta races](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/0904445c-ddfd-4320-8c78-891c395f704e.jpg)
![J/24 Mollicona sailing off Chiavari, Italy](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/afb0cbed-34e8-421a-8308-cb11c6082178.jpg)
(Marina di Carrara, Italy)- After becoming the winners of the 2015 Autumn Championship, the MOLLICONA crew consisting of Vincenzo Mercuri, Massimiliano Biagini, Riccardo Marini, Nicholas Marchini and Beba Tognetti have also had a great start to this year’s Spring Championship series and are leading the fleet after the first weekend.
"The two races on Saturday were windward-leeward courses; they were sailed in light winds from the north of 4-8 kts with flat seas. The continuous wind shifts (and decreasing wind strength) in the second race, however, forced the race to be finished on the first run,” explained Sergio Del Nero. “On Sunday, however, we had very rough seas. Winds were between 4 to 10 knots from the north, variable. And, it was very difficult conditions with wave flowing against the wind, forming very choppy seas. Also on this day, the second race was shortened to the first run because of the sudden drop in wind."
Despite the challenging weather, the MOLLICONA team rose to the occasion and compiled a 1-5-1-1 record to be leading after the first weekend of racing. Moving into second place on JAMAICA is the Italian J/24 Class President- Pietro Diamanti- with a 2-1-2-3 tally. Sitting in third place is NINAN skippered by Alberto Manfredini with scores of 3-8-3-2; in fourth is TALLY I owned by Roberta Banfo and skippered by Luca Macchiarini with a very steady 4-4-4-6; and in fifth place is ITA 330 skippered by Enrico Giannotti with a 6-2-8-8 tally.
Excellent as always was the work done by the Race Committee (Chaired by Luigi D'Amico and assisted by Gigi Porchera and Sergio Del Nero) and their mark boats (Massimo Lunardini, Silvano and Matteo Zanza).
The J/24 crews will continue their final weekend of the Spring Championship out of Marina di Carrara on the weekend of March 5th and 6th. For more Italian J/24 sailing information
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What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
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![J/105 Gonzo sailing to Havana, Cuba](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/433f7c5b-d8ab-4b7c-acd2-5d5a44ae24ab.jpg)
“We sailed aboard GONZO, our J/105, co-captained by myself and Ken Ganch with a total crew of eight in the Miami to Havana race. It started in lighter winds right outside of government cut on a beautiful Florida day, albeit it was cooler than usual with a cold front heading in. That was welcome news as were all heading south veering southwest as the fleet headed down the keys so North winds were favorable and were forecast to go Northeast at some point. There were also fairly cold temperatures forecast for the first night but fortunately the water was warm.
![J/105 sailing plot to Cuba](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/9450b24b-ca5f-4d0c-b588-caabd82baf71.jpg)
As the first afternoon went on, the winds steadily built along with the waves. There were long periods with sustained wind speeds 15-25 knots and the Gulf Stream varied but seemed to have reached 4-5 knots at that time according to our readings. The challenge was to get through it as efficiently as possible and then, hopefully, catch a counter-current closer to the coast of Cuba that was still heading west.
![Club Nautico Hemingway in Havana, Cuba](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/04d303b5-e3e3-48ad-a8a4-14a6adeba419.jpg)
Hemingway Club Nauticio in Havana hosted the fleet with excellent facilities and the staff was gracious and welcoming.
![J/44 Rum Squall sailing off San Diego, CA](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/01cafedf-b1c9-4974-987e-a869b9683a5f.jpg)
* A beautiful J/44 from San Diego YC was recently seen gracing the Boats & Gear section in the March 2016 issue of SAILING Magazine! What a pretty photo of the J/44 plying the seas off the Coronado Roads, just south of Point Loma on a sunny day on the Pacific Ocean— clearly the crew are enjoying themselves! Was it truly a “rum squall”?!! Thanks to Sue Reynen at SAILING Magazine for the photo. Visit their website <http://www.sailingmagazine.net> and follow them on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/SAILINGmag>.
J/Cruisers
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/40 HERON REACH sailed by Virginia and Jerry is participating in the Blue Planet Odyssey project and have recently joined them in the Marquesas Islands in the Eastern Pacific. Learn more about their adventures and experiences here- http://heronreachodyssey.blogspot.com/
![Giant whale breaching in front of J/160 SALACIA off Australia's Whitsunday Islands](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efe1999a3cf99000c29f8528/images/08ac430e-3d58-4c81-bec3-49acce21d82c.jpg)
![J/42 cruiser- sailing across Atlantic Ocean](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafT7MwBeStrBgHV_HD6UIwqnOFm4EMjKxuyx4MsEmiDkpaiHCZ7EAI40OEJohKXz0367UChCOq_hYW9qWzXzAGDE5xzz05hCdjrW-pVBRNkbJCkcUt2851eTDm72dsRP5a-xnLT9SPkw/s800/2013_0911_J42_cruise.jpg)
* J/160 AVATAR headed for the Caribbean, again, for 2015/ 2016! We LOVE these updates from our cruising J sailors that continue to criss-cross the Seven Seas. This one comes from Alan Fougere, sailing his beloved J/160 AVATAR. Alan sent us an email update regards their various improvements and refit to the boat (see above). They will again be based at Proper Yachts in St John, US Virgin Islands.
![Bill & Judy Stellin- sailing J/42 Jaywalker](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGbKficU_c4Fhf8p4dVMeGyxmmfSIRxiB3Y8sEKAH_6igrvEa4x5kckIycjVHMPhnUu25bqvG5ZUptWoowYCi0iqnTxnUOSurv36qZ0QEyJfcDpLjUQc0i9GQ6hJdb9f6NWcHL2Pgd8E/s800/2013_0102_J42_Stellins.jpg)
Retiring on the Sea: Answering Readers' Questions
Advice about selecting a boat, ocean crossings, itineraries and safety
![Wall St Journal interview- Stellin's Offshore cruising/ sailing retirement](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129hHdIeoJqXceGd7rR8_C0PdoUrb7Yr0bXjU-Y3t9mS70tQ7ldCIaiT-NIjwyge4cSGtJJqn1oyTqz5FRIFmIDVwmWoXYK0EcAV5V-qFDgjU03atYoQ8oD8p2Cqs2K4WR8vW8mohTz0/s144/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-01-17%2520at%25204.52.37%2520PM.png)
WSJ- "What kind and make of boat did you use? Looking back, would you have picked a different boat?"
Bill- "In 1995-96, J/Boats of Newport, RI, came out with a new cruiser/racer model, the J/42. We bought hull No. 6 of this popular 42-foot sailboat and named it JAYWALKER. This was our fourth boat since beginning sailing in 1975.
Although long-distance cruising wasn't what we had in mind when we purchased JAYWALKER, it soon became apparent it had the ability to carry us easily and safely anywhere we wanted to go. Because the boat is light, it sails well in light winds, which means very little motoring is necessary.
People often ask (and argue) about what boat is best for cruising. Any boat that is strong, safe, fast, comfortable and easily handled by two people should fit the bill. One thing for sure, fast is fun—and important when trying to avoid bad weather."
READ MORE ABOUT BILL'S INSIGHTFUL COMMENTARY AND THOUGHTS ON WSJ ONLINE HERE
* 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/
* 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/.
- 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.