J/Sailing News
The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide
Over the course of the past week, two of America’s larger “race weeks” were taking place on opposite coastlines. Off to the east, the Storm Trysail Club is hosting its Block Island Race Week in Block Island, RI for one-design fleets of J/88s, J/105s, and J/109s and PHRF handicap fleets that include, J/122s, J/121s, J/44s and J/111s. Out west, it was the annual Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week that was sailed off Long Beach, CA for a fleet of J/70s and PHRF handicap racing for J/105s, J/109s and J/111s. In the middle of the country, the J/22 North American Championship was just held off Wayzata YC on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, MN for a fleet of thirty-eight teams. Then, down in the deep, deep, south the GYA Challenge Cup was recently hosted by Gulfport YC in Gulfport, MS, where an infamous J/90 all-carbon speedster held court!Over in the European theater of sailing, the RORC Morgan Cup was sailed 110 nm from Cowes, England to Dieppe, France. A J/Crew won overall in a fleet that included J/105s, J/97, J/109, J/111, J/122, and J/121. Over in France on the Bay of Biscay, the French IRC doublehanded series- known as the DUO CAT-AMANIA- was sailed in the Bay of Quiberon, off La Trinite sur Mer, France. The race series included a top-performing J/99 and J/112E. Finally, north of them in the Baltic Sea, the J/70 Youth SAILING Champions League took place in Kiel, Germany for 21 youth clubs across Europe.
J/70 European Championship Preview
(Malcesine, Italy)- Malcesine is gearing up to host the event of the year as more than 130 boats from around the world have arrived to participate in the J/70 European Championship. For the occasion, Fraglia Vela Malcesine and the J/70 Italian Class have made impressive strides in terms of organization and logistics to provide accommodation to crews from twenty-three countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, and USA).
The Opening Ceremony was on Monday afternoon following the practice race. As for the Championship schedule, there is a possibility for sailing 14 races on the gorgeous waters of Lake Garda, starting June 25th, Tuesday.
The Principal Race Officer of the event is Giancarlo Crevatin. Along with David Bartol, they will both oversee fleets in the two race flights (the fleet was seeded and split into four groups, with each group rotating to sail against each other).
The Italian fleet is the most numerous, with roughly 40 boats and a concentration of high-level teams including reigning champion Alberto Rossi’s ENFANT TERRIBLE. Other major players from the final stages of Italian circuit will be participating; such as, Alessandro Zampori’s DAS SAILING TEAM, Carlo Alberini’s CALVI NETWORK, Claudia Rossi’s PETITE TERRIBLE, and Gianfranco Noè’s WHITE HAWK (he’s aiming for the Corinthian championship).
Russian (18!), British (9!), German (11!), and Spanish (11!) fleets are bringing a stunning number of teams to Lake Garda, among them the well-known Russian woman skipper- Lera Kovalenko- and her ARTTUBE RUS1 Team, Spanish multiple J/80 World Champion- Josè Maria “Pichu” Torcida skippering NOTICIA, and Spanish skipper- Luis Bugallo- racing MARNATURA. The British will be well-represented by several champions; such as Jeremy Thorp’s PHAN, Martin Dent’s JELVIS, Doug Struth’s DSP, Paul Ward’s EAT SLEEP J REPEAT, and Patrick Liardet’s COSMIC.
Finally, the lone American attending is Joel Ronning’s CATAPULT with tactician Victor Diaz de Leon; both are J/70 World Champions.
Vittorio Di Mauro, President of the J/70 Italian Class, said, “Following the success of the Porto Cervo World Championship in 2017, this is yet another record-breaking event for a number of participants and countries represented, and at the elite level of competition. It highlights the organizational capacity of our Association, as well as the competitiveness of our members at the international level; owners who have brought the continental title to Italy for the last five consecutive years. Once again, a unique blend of sailing champions and crew of enthusiasts will have the opportunity to race against the best.” Follow the J/70 Europeans on Facebook here For more J/70 European Championship sailing information
J/70 Nordic Championship Preview(Hanko, Norway)- The J/70 Nordic Championship and J/70 Norwegian Championship will be held at Hanko, Norway from June 27th to 29th, hosted by the Hanko Yacht Club. The thirty-six entries are composed of 21 Norwegian and 15 foreign teams from Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
The top hometown teams include Egil Ronaes’ LUCKY JACK, Halvor Friisk’s SINNATAGG Sailing Team, Kristoffer Spone’s HELLY HANSEN II, Madeleine Osteby’s TEAM SUMMIT TO SAIL, and Marie Lothe’s NOR 1. The top Swedish team is Anders Rosenberg’s DYNAMANT and the top Danish team is Bjerne Sorensen’s FRYNSKE BANK.
For more J/70 Nordic Championship sailing information
Round Island Race Preview(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- If it's the first weekend in July, it must be time for the world-famous “Round Island Race” in the United Kingdom, hosted by the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, Isle of Wight. The challenging 60.0nm race that goes around the Isle of Wight is by far the most popular race on any sailor’s social calendar all year long in the U.K.; particularly for those that love to get thrashed and challenged by the intricacies of the Solent.
As has been the case for over a decade, over a thousand boats will begin starting at 0630 hrs. First off is the IRC Zero class, followed by over two-dozen more classes sailing across the glorious Royal Yacht Squadron line in the summer morning soft orange light. It should be absolutely gorgeous for the thousands of sailors aboard all the teams making their annual, epic adventure around the Isle of Wight.
Taking on the challenge will be a veritable J/Navy sailing across the spectrum of classes. In the world of IRC handicap classes, here are some of the notable teams to watch.
Nearly 40% of the 26 entries in IRC 1 A Class are J/teams. Some of those include five J/122s (BLACK DOG- George Willis & Stuart Sawyer, JOLLY JELLYFISH- Simon Newton, R&W- Andy Theobald, JAHMALI- Mike & Sarah Wallis, & JANGLE- Clive Miles), three J/111s (JITTERBUG- Cornell Riklin, JOURNEYMAKER II- Chris Jones And Louise Makin, & KESTREL- Simon Bamford). Hoping to beat them all across the line in style will be Fergus Angel’s J/121 ROCK LOBSTER.With 31 boats in the IRC 1 C Class are three J/112E’s- Bruce Huber’s XANABOO, Chaz Ivill’s DAVANTI TYRES, and Jim Chalmers’ KNIGHT BUILD LTD. They will be joined by Stu Lawrence’s J/120 SCREAM.
The 21 boat IRC 2 A Class has three J/109s (JUBILEE- Christopher Preston, JUKEBOX- Chris Copeland, & RED ARROW- Alan Beckheling) and one J/99- James & John Owen’s JET.
Nearly 60% of the 33 boat IRC 2 B Class are J/crews. There are five J/105s; including FLAWLESS J’s Andy Uren, JAB JAB’s Richard Chart, and JIN TONIC’s Andrew Roberts. They will have to contend with a huge contingent of fifteen J/109s that include such top teams as David Richards’ JUMPING JELLYFISH and Chris Burleigh’s JYBE TALKIN.
The twenty-one entries in IRC 2 Class include two offshore-focused J/105s- Jim Wicks’ DIABLO-J and Gillian Ross’ GENE JENIE. The sixteen entries in IRC 2 D Class include the J/92 JABBERWOCK (Ralph Mason), J/97 JAYWALKER (Robert & Jon Baker), and the J/110 SHADES OF BLUE (Ed Holton).
As one of the largest classes in the race, the 38 entries in IRC 3 A Class include seven J/92s, such as J’RONIMO (David Greenhalgh), JACKDAW (Rob Salter), NIGHTJAR (Jack Banks), and SAMURAI-J (Alan Macleod & Andy Knowles). They will be joined by one J/97- Rachel, Robert and David Hunt JUMBLESAIL II.
Rounding out the IRC handicap entries is the J/30 COLLENN sailed by Allan Hill in the forty-four boat IRC 3 C Class.
The one-design classes include J/70s, J/80s, and J/88s. The largest one-design class is the sixteen boats entered in the J/70 class, including top crews such as Terry O’Neill’s AQUA-J, Andrew Barraclough’s JENGA 8, and Jack Davies YETI.
The five entries in the J/80 class include Richard Tricker’s FIDUCIAL from France, Phil Lightbody’s JEDI, and Simon Cameron’s JUNO.
The top J/88s in their class include Richard Cooper’s JONGLEUR, Tim Tolcher’s RAGING BULL, Dirk Van Beek’s SABRIEL JR, and Sam Cooper’s TIGRIS. For more Round Island Race sailing information
Stratford Shoal Race Preview(Riverside, CT)- The Riverside YC is hosting its 88th annual Stratford Shoal Race this coming weekend on Long Island Sound. It is one more easy-going offshore races of the summer on the Sound.
Attending the race is a number of enthusiastic J/Crews. In PHRF 2 Division is Steve Chronert’s J/109 ZUMA. In the PHRF 3 Doublehanded division is Jim Reichel’s J/105 SCAPEGOAT and Todd Aven’s famous J/92 THIN MAN. In PHRF 4 Division is a plethora of J/Crews in the fleet; such as Eben Walker’s J/105 STRANGE BREW, the American YC’s YOUNG AMERICAN crew on their J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN, Ken & Drew Hall’s J/88 NEVERMORE, and Paul Kueffner’s J/36 ECLIPSE. Finally, sailing in PHRF Plus+One division is Arthur Hanlon’s J/112E DAUNTLESS. For more Stratford Shoal Race sailing information
Queens Cup Preview(Milwaukee, WI)- The 81st challenge of one of the most storied yacht races on the Great Lakes this coming weekend- the Queen’s Cup. This year’s night race across Lake Michigan departs from Milwaukee, WI for St. Joseph, MI on June 28, 2019. Both Milwaukee’s South Shore Yacht Club and St. Joseph River Yacht Club will provide an experience worthy of this 81st Queen’s Cup Race.
South Shore YC has been hosting a race across Lake Michigan, starting in Milwaukee and finishing at some port in Michigan, since 1938. The Cup itself, deeded to the Club by William Hull, dates back to 1847 and is older than the America's Cup. The Queen's Cup® Trophy is one of the oldest cups in world yachting still offered for competition every year. Its history dates back to an age when both British Victorian silver work and sailing yachts were without rival anywhere.
American shipyards of this era were turning out very fast sailing vessels called “clipper ships”. These craft were extreme designs built to out-perform the fast new breed of ships powered by steam. The American racing sloop Silvie was built during this era using this radical new technology.
On August 19, 1853, she won second place in a regatta scheduled by the Royal Yacht Squadron that was raced off Cowes, England.
First prize- a cup valued at 100 guineas- was won by the English yacht Gaily, six minutes and 38 seconds ahead of Silvie. This outstanding performance led the squadron to award a special prize to her, a 50-guinea cup, now known as the Queen's Cup!The cup was brought back to the New York Yacht Club, Silvia's home port, and went into obscurity until 1874, when a Mr. J.H. Godwin, of Kingsbridge, New York, gave the cup to his friend Kirkland C. Barker, commodore of the International Yacht Club of Detroit. The cup was to be offered as an international challenge called the Godwin Cup.
But, as it turned out there was only one challenge, Annie Cuthbert of Hamilton, Ontario. Barker's yacht Cora won the first race, with the Canadians winning the second but forfeiting the final race. This gave Barker his victory, but left very strained relations between the Detroit and Hamilton yachtsmen. The cup was never offered for competition again, probably due to the untimely death of Commodore Barker. He and two other crew members drowned while shifting ballast in Cora in preparation for the 1875 racing season.
Nothing more is known about the cup until about the turn of the century, when a young lad, while cleaning out a family storeroom, discovered an exquisite rosewood box holding the cup. The lad was Walter Hull, whose father was Charles Hull, son-in-law of Commodore Barker, to whom the cup had been given.
Walter Hull treasured the cup for the rest of his life and kept it in his possession until September 1, 1938. At that time his good friend William Lawrie (later Commodore of South Shore Yacht Club in 1944) persuaded him to deed it to South Shore Yacht Club, "for an annual race across Lake Michigan, always starting off South Shore Yacht Club, and ending at a point in Michigan, open to all yachts of a recognized yacht club on the Great Lakes." The cup was crafted by the silversmith firm of Robert Garrard in 1847-1848.
This 90.0nm sprint across Lake Michigan has been fraught with numerous challenges over time. From drifters, to gales, to waterspouts, to a Sunday “walk in the park” experience. Given that current weather has been nothing but normal, the weekends sprint across the lake could experience everything in one storm front!
Some of those teams braving the elements in the 2019 edition of the Queen’s Cup are the following PHRF Big Boat division teams; Justin Falconer’s J/111 LUCKY DUBIE, Bill Schanen’s J/145 MAIN STREET, Robert Klairmont’s J/133 SIROCCO 3, and Jim Richter’s J/44 CHEEP’N’DEEP.
In addition, there are six J/111s on the starting line: Richard Hobbs’ HOBGOBLIN, Jeff Schaeffer’s SHMOKIN JOE, Spencer Thomason’s JUST ONE MORE, Mark & Colin Caliban’s NO QUARTER, Brad Faber’s UTAH, and Kevin Saedi’s MOMENTOUS.
In the division below them will be Frank Giampoli’s J/120 JAHAZI, Ben Lumpkin’s J/112E MARY GAIL, Mitch Weisman’s J/35 THE FLYING SPHAGETTI MONSTER, and Doug Evans’ J/109 TIME OUT.
Two one-design divisions are racing. A quintet of J/88s are sailing; including Tod Patton’s BLONDIE 2, Andrew Graff’s EXILE, Dan Floberg’s MISTY, John Leahey’s DUTCH, and Ben Marden’s BANTER. Then, a quartet of J/105s are participating; Don Brackey’s BIENFAIT, Vanessa Gates’ STRIKING, Mike Ludtke’s SMOKIN J, and Mark Stoll’s PEREGRINE.
Finally, there are two PHRF Shorthanded Teams racing; Tom Cairns’ J/105 BEDAZZLED and Ron Otto’s J/110 TAKEDOWN 2. For more SSYC Queen’s Cup Race sailing information
Regatta & Show Schedules:
Jun 23-28- Block Island Race Week- Block Island, RIJun 28- Queen’s Cup Race- Milwaukee, WI
Jun 29-30- New York YC One-Design Regatta- Newport, RI
Jun 29- Round Island Race- Isle of Wight, England
Jun 29- Stratford Shoal Race- Riverside, CT
Jul 4-7- J/70 SAILING Champions League- St Petersburg, Russia
Jul 5-7- RORC IRC National Championship- Cowes, Isle of Wight, England
Jul 5-7- Sail Newport Regatta- Newport, RI
Jul 6-13- J/70 European Championship- Malcesine, Italy
Jul 6-13- J/22 World Championship- Warnemunde, Germany
Jul 10- 50th Transpac Race- Los Angeles, CA
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
Doyle Family Dominates J/22 North Americans
(Wayzata, MN)- Thirty-eight teams from across the United States enjoyed three nice days of sailing on Lake Minnetonka for their 2019 J/22 North American Championship. Eight races were run by Wayzata YC’s PRO Blake Middleton and in the end, Chris Doyle’s THE JUG 4 1 was crowned this year’s J/22 N.A. Champion. Here is how it all went down over the course of three days.
Day 1
The tacticians battled the wind shifts and each other as they fought for fleet supremacy. Four races were completed and the Youngstown Yacht Club team on THE JUG 4 1, including Chris Doyle, Will Harris and Nick Doyle, were leading the regatta. They recorded scores of 2-1-1-7 11 points. Local boat EN FUEGO, helmed by Mike Schmidt, had 18 points to claim second place. Mike Marshall on BAD NEWS from New York Yacht Club was in third place with 24 points.
Racing got underway in eight knots of breeze as Marshall’s BAD NEWS opened the Championship with a win. Doyle on THE JUG 4 1 and Schmidt on EN FUEGO followed in the top three. Doyle gained the second victory, pursued by Marshall and Colin Feik on STAMPEDE from Oklahoma City Boat Club. While winds worked their way up to about 13 knots, Doyle earned the next bullet, chased by local boats 963, helmed by Mike Bowers, and Schmidt on EN FUEGO.
Day 2
Doyle remained in the lead during day two. While many teams struggled with the wind shifts and fluctuating wind speed, Doyle strengthened his first-place advantage during Saturday’s four races. THE JUG 4 1 tossed out a 12, leaving them with net scores of 2-1-1-7-1-1-2 for 15 points. That’s 21 points better than fellow local boats FISH GREASE, helmed by Chad Olness, and TURN DOWN FOR WHAT, helmed by Kurt Taken-Holtze. Both boats moved up to tie with 36 points. Another local boat called WHO’S DRIVING (with team of Mike Bowers, David Brasch and Uta Moncur) was in fourth place with 50 points.
Day two started out sunny with lighter breeze. As the day continued, the wind increased to 15 mph. Thanks to professional race officer, Blake Middleton and the race committee, four races were completed under extremely challenging wind conditions. The day’s opening match was won by Mike Marshall on BAD NEWS, followed b Doyle and Schmid winning the other races.
Day 3
The fleet assembled on Sunday morning for their final day of racing on Lake Minnetonka. While the day started out promising, with sunny skies and a gentle breeze wafting across the lake, the land heated up quickly and killed any chances for a breeze to settle in. As a result, the standings from the previous day’s eight races would count for the final scores.
As a result, Doyle’s family crew on THE JUG 4 1 (which included Peter & Nick Doyle) was declared the 2019 J/22 North American Champion, the fourth such time he has won the award. Chad Olness and his local crew on FISH GREASE got the bullet in race seven and a second in race five but couldn't catch team Doyle. Coming in third was Kurt Taken-Holtze and his crew, Jeff Hames and Erik Alquist on TURN DOWN FOR WHAT. Rounding out the top five was Mike Bowers’ WHO’S DRIVING and Marshall’s BAD NEWS, in 4th and 5th, respectively.
Six of the thirty-eight boats were helmed by women. Coming in ninth overall for the championship, the top female driver trophy went to Judy Woellner, helming SHADOWFAX. Several J/22s were also raced by young adult teams. Finishing in 22th place for the regatta, the top youth driver trophy was won by Seamus Hendrickson along with his crew Kytalin Hendrickson, Graham Ness and Teddy Graham on MEDDLING KIDS.
For more J/22 North American Championship sailing information
Block Island Race Week Report
(Block Island, RI)- Nearly two hundred boats are sailing the 2019 Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week. So far, the island weather Gods are up to their usual tricks. The first day was simply spectacular and most fleets completed four races. However, a huge frontal system was rolling offshore during Tuesday’s Around the Island Race, making for a thunderous, memorable, wet, windy, cold race. Wet, indeed, like nearly 2.0” of rain in 2 hours, that is a lot of rain.
Day One- Glorious Sailing
Bill Sweetser sported a broad smile as he stood in the stern of his boat that is berthed at Champlin’s Marina.
Sweetser could not have scripted a better start to Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, presented by Margaritaville. Monday’s wind conditions fell into the sweet spot of the Annapolis entry and the crew responded with a superb performance.
Sweetser steered RUSH to victory in all three races on the opening day of the regatta, taking early command of the J/109 class. Tactician Tom Babel made all the right calls while trimmers Brian Tyrrell (headsails), Mike Hobson (mainsail), and Bobby Brooks (offside) were on point.
“Sometimes you sail in conditions you feel very comfortable with and today certainly favored our boat and crew,” Sweetser said of the westerly winds that held relatively steady between 8 to 10 knots. “We just tend to do really well in light to moderate winds within the J/109 fleet. I know I drive better in those conditions.”
WINGS accomplished the same feat in the J/88 class with skipper Mike Bruno leading the Armonk, New York entry to straight bullets. Stuart Johnstone is calling tactics aboard WINGS, which is coming off a class victory at Sperry Charleston Race Week.
In the third one-design class, New York City residents John and Marisa Koten led GRAY MATTER to a solid score line of 3-3-2 to set the pace in J/105, which has attracted 16 entries. Sitting behind them just three points back are two pretty tough citizens; in second was Paul Beaudin’s LOU LOU and third is Bruce Stone & Nicole Breault’s GOOD TRADE.
There was equally tight racing in ORC 2 with TEAMWORK emerging as the leader after the opening day. Skipper Robin Team steered the J/122 to a 19-second victory over the J/121 INCOGNITO (Joe Brito) in Race 1 then finished second in Race 2. Race 3 for ORC 2 was tossed by organizers with Storm Trysail Club because the finish line mark dragged and caused confusion.
Tied atop the PHRF 1 class Ken Comerford’s J/111 MONEYPENNY from Annapolis, MD. Sitting in fourth was another J/111, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL.
DIRTY HARRY, a J/29 skippered by Jack McGuire, made a strong statement in PHRF 3 by posting a pair of bullets separated by a second. MIGHTY PUFFIN, another J/29 owned by Steve Thurston, is five points behind.
“We were just dialed in all day. We were able to get off the line clean in all three starts and had great boat speed, great crew work,” McGuire said.
Six of seven crew members aboard DIRTY HARRY, including the owner, are products of the East Greenwich (RI) Yacht Club junior program. They were all coached at the time by John Mollicone, who is calling tactics for his former pupils.
Monday’s Pursuit Course was 12.5 nautical miles in length and took the fleet toward the southwest end of the island. After rounding a government mark, it was a pleasant spinnaker run back to the start-finish line just south of the Great Salt Pond. Taking 2nd in PHRF Cruising 1 Spinnaker division was Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE. Then, the J/97E PARTICIPANT skippered by John Krediet topped Performance Cruising 2 while Eric Bicknese’s J/105 BIG E.Z. took the bronze position.
Day 2- Big Tuesday- Around Island
There are many traditions associated with Block Island Race Week. Sailors know to expect certain things over the course of the five-day event, which is why so many keep coming back.
One of the most revered traditions is the 21.5nm Around the Island Race, which is associated with Block Island Race Week as much as drinking Mudslides at the Oar or dancing to live music at Yellow Kittens.
With a building breeze forecast, on-water chairman Dick Neville delivered the regatta’s signature competition earlier than expected. There was some noticeable anxiety among sailors on the docks when Neville announced over the radio that North Sails Day would feature the Around the Island Race.
That news prompted a thorough review of the forecast with navigators, tacticians and strategists now processing that information through the lens of a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Block Island; those discussions were no doubt held aboard all 122 boats competing. Doing a 20-nautical mile distance race that pretty much completes a circle is a vastly different undertaking than windward-leeward action around the buoys.
Organizers with Storm Trysail Club had initially pegged the distance race for Thursday, but Neville switched gears after reviewing updated forecasts that showed the wind getting lighter later in the week.
“We always want to do the Around the Island Race on the breeziest day of the week and the way the forecast shaped up that was today,” Neville said. “We knew it would be rainy, but fortunately there was very little thunder and lightning, while the squalls were manageable.”
Storm Trysail Club held a fourth windward-leeward race prior to sending the entire fleet of 13 classes around the island. Winning both races on Tuesday in the J/88 class was Mike Bruno’s WINGS. Stu Johnstone is calling tactics aboard WINGS, which has won all five races held over two days and has already built an eight-point lead in J/88 class.
“Our boat is incredibly well-prepared and we tend to be good in breezy conditions. We have a very strong, experienced crew so it’s really the whole package,” said Bruno, who is coming off a class victory at Charleston Race Week. “We still have two more days of racing to go, but we’re certainly happy with the way we have started.”
Robin Team and his J/122 TEAMWORK mates headed straight to The Oar for bowls of steaming hot clam chowder upon returning to the dock. Team then went home and “stood under a hot shower for about 30 minutes.”
Despite the discomfort of being soaked in rain water for so long, it was a rewarding day on the water for TEAMWORK, which placed second in the buoy racing then won the Around the Island Race to maintain the overall lead in ORC 2.
“It was a really tactical race that was very well-run by the Storm Trysail Club. We had a lot of fun out there today,” Team said. “It was equal amounts of upwind, downwind and reaching. Some conditions suited some boats in our class better than others, which made things fun and interesting.”
Tactician Jonathan Bartlett had set a goal of having TEAMWORK win the Around the Island Race in both the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta and Block Island Race Week, and it was mission accomplished on that count. The J/122 now leads by two points
GOOD TRADE is the defending champion in J/105 class, but got off to a slow start. GRAY MATTER, owned by John and Marisa Koten, led after Day 1. However, the husband-wife team of helmsman Bruce Stone and tactician Nicole Breault showed their chops on Tuesday with a runner-up result in the buoy race followed by victory in the Around the Island Race.
“We’re very happy we got the wheels going in tough conditions,” Stone said. “This is the toughest J/105 fleet we’ve faced at Block Island. There are a lot of good boats and sailors here.”
GOOD TRADE took the lead on the opening beat and held off the competition the rest of the way, crossing comfortably ahead of LOU LOU (Paul Beaudin) in the Around Island Race.
“One of key things we did in the race was called for a tack to starboard. We went a little farther right than any of the other boats and got into pressure, but stayed far enough left to get island relief from the adverse current,” Breault said. “Bruce really got into the groove driving and our speed was fantastic. We just punched out.” For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information
J/99 Silver @ French IRC Doublehanded Series
(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- Forty-eight teams participated in the multi-stage doublehanded series in France called the DUO CAT-AMANIA. Racing from port-to-port has its advantages for duet teams, as the camaraderie of enjoying beautiful seaside restaurants every night has its merits.
In the fourth stage (leg) of the series, the competitors sailed 44 miles in a very light wind at around 5 knots. It was a navigational challenge, an exercise in patience, during which the fleet made a loop around the Glénan archipelago and went up under spinnaker until Guidel, where the Race Committee reduced the course and sent them directly to Locmiquélic. The day was long and the competitors arrived at the end of the day at the port.
Philippe Baetz and Yves Chuberre’s J/112E MUSIX took the stage victory with an enormous 30 minute lead over the next boat to finish.
Baetz commented, “today was my day! We made good choices that paid off and we dug out of a huge gap from halfway through the race. The boat is going very well this season. After a podium at the Spi Ouest-France Destination Morbihan and a victory at the ArMen Race in IRC B, I am delighted. With Yves (Chuberre), we’ve never trained together as a double team. So, after a few days of racing, we get better and do not make the mistakes of the first days. Luckily there are days like this! I do not even count the number of Duo Cat-Amania I participated in. This is an annual meeting, which is very pleasant and very well organized by a great team!"
The fifth stage of the Duo Cat-Amania 2019 was sailed between Locmiquélic and La Trinité-sur-Mer. Under a bright sun and a wind from very light in the morning to 20 knots at the end of the day, the doublehanded teams made a journey of 46 miles. The Race Committee took advantage of the ideal sailing conditions and sent the fleet on a sightseeing tour. A real tour of the splendors of the Morbihan coast; the tour of the island of Groix, the Birvideaux, the Colts at Belle-Ile, and finally the Béniguet, before crossing the finish line at La Trinité-sur-Mer.
The results of the day relaunched the game for a few boats. Most importantly, the J/99 J-LANCE 14, sailed by Frédéric Bouvier and Benjamin Dutreaux, moved into the second position after getting a 3rd on the leg.
For the sixth and final stage of the series, it was a sprint in the Bay of Quiberon towards the port of Le Crouesty. Leaving La Trinité-sur-Mer on Friday morning, the fleet made short work of the 16-mile course in about ten knots of wind. It was a beautiful last leg under the sun to close a week of sport and fun. Emphatically winning the last race was the J/99 J-LANCE 14, Bouvier & Dutreaux made a valiant effort to dethrone the leaders, but ended up three points shy of the lead in the six race, no-throw out series, to take the silver.
Another J/99 was racing and took 5th place. Like their colleagues on J-LANCE 14, Olivier Grassi and Frederic Duthil’s GRASSI BATEAUX started out slowly in the first three races, but closed with the second best record in the regatta for the last half of the event. In fact, the best record went to J-LANCE 14.
Ultimately, the big winner of leg four- Baetz & Chuberre’s J/112E MUSIX- happily took the silver in the last race behind J-LANCE 14 to finish eighth. For more DUO CAT-AMANIA Race sailing information
Golison Wins Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week
(Long Beach, CA)- The 2019 edition of Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week wrapped up with a bang, as winds tickled the 20s and racers were tested in the final day of the regatta hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club.
More than 100 teams participated in the June 21 to 23 event, which drew sailors from the western US and neighboring nations, plus Australia and Germany.
Wind conditions steadily built over the three day regatta, as did the excitement, as racers competed in a series of seven windward/leeward or three random leg races, in both one-design and PHRF fleets. In many cases, it was a classic scenario of 'the rich getting richer' as precision starts and crew work paid off.
It was a three-day skirmish for position in the hard-fought J/70 class. Bruce Golison's MIDLIFE CRISIS was the winner of the “Satariano Boat of the Week Trophy”, presented to the one-design class winner whose division features the closest, most competitive racing in the series. In seven races over the three-day event, Golison edged out rival Jeff Janov’s MINOR THREAT in a tie-breaker! Rounding out the podium was Chris Kostanecki’s JENNIFER (he also won the Corinthians Division). The balance of the top five included Steve Wyman’s NUNUHUNU in 4th and Peter Cameron’s KANGAROO JOCKEY in 5th position.
In the handicap PHRF C division, J/Crews swept the podium. First was Heinz Butner’s J/109 RAPTOR, second was Scott McDaniel’s J/105 OFF THE PORCH, and third was taken by Jeff Shew’s J/109 FUZZY LOGIC. In PHRF B division, David Boatner’s J/35 RIVAL took the silver. Then, in PHRF A class, Kenny Kieding’s J/111 ARGO 3 won the class with all aces and deuces!
Rivalries and competition aside, "fun" is a key ingredient in the 40-year success of Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week.
"This event is like a family reunion in a small town," pointed out LBYC Commodore Camille Daniels. "All your friends get together once a year to race and celebrate the Summer Solstice. Just think. We have the longest day of the year to have the best party!"
Daniels said cooperation between LBYC and ABYC is also a key part of the recipe. "We have members from each club on the committees, working together. Each of our clubs has enough resources to do a regatta maybe half the size - but together, it's magic. We have three professionally run race circles and have had up to 160 boats compete at Race Week. That's a big deal!"
During LBRW, sailors from near and far contend in up to three days of racing on three different race courses: one inside the Federal breakwater and two outside. Each course is astutely managed and run by race officials from ABYC, LBYC and other area clubs, winning the organizers kudos from participants.
ABYC Commodore David Schack added, "We've worked together on this regatta for years, so can tap into the talents from both clubs, which helps us do a really good job at both the racing and the parties. Because you can't have one without the other!" Sailing photo credits- Tom Walker For more Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week sailing information
BYCU Wins J/70 Youth SAILING Champions League
(Kiel, Germany)- Bodensee Yacht Club Überlingen won the second edition of the Youth SAILING Champions League after three days of sensational racing at Kiel Week in Germany. Regattaclub Oberhofen from Switzerland is runner-up ahead of Flensburger Segel Club in third place. A total of 21 clubs from nine nations came to Kiel for the under-22 regatta, which follows the same, proven format for league racing in multiple nations and the SAILING Champions League (SCL) itself.
Flensburger Segel Club was leading the qualifying until the final round when Überlingen came charging through and sneaked through qualifying in first place by a single point. It was a critical advantage to carry through to the four-boat final, as their victory in qualifying counted as their first point on the board in the final.
Überlingen were over early in the first start and had to go back. However, they were able to use superior boatspeed to sail quickly to the top of the field. The team from Lake Constance worked hard all the way to the finish and won the first race of the finals, which meant the competition was over. The other three teams never had a chance to post a winning score in the final because Überlingen had already won. It meant they had successfully defended the title they won a year earlier.
Konstantin Steidle, helmsman from Überlingen, commented: “Since we had an early start in the last race, we had no choice but to go to the other side away from the other three teams. Then, the wind played into our hands and we finished the race with confidence. I think the format of the Final Series is good, but, unfortunately, not all of us are allowed to participate next year because of the age limit. We hope the next team from Überlingen will be able to repeat this success next year.”
This was also the first intercontinental SCL regatta for the Australian competitor- Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS). Gradually, the league concept of racing is spreading further and further around the world. Jack Littlechild, skipper of the RSYS team said: “Most of us had never sailed in a J/70 before, so the main focus for our workout sessions has been strategy and tactics as well as a big emphasis on boat handling. We are very proud to have been representing our country and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron here. We want to use this opportunity to help promote the SAILING Champions League in Australia and get everyone back home excited for next year’s event.”
The SAP Sailing Analytics provide 24/7 additional statistics and data for sailors, fans, spectators and media like GPS tracking, real-time analysis, live leaderboard combined with 2D visualization. You find all results on sapsailing.com! Sailing photo credits- Lars Wehrmann For more J/70 Youth SAILING Champions League information
J/109 Crushes RORC Morgan Cup
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The Royal Ocean Racing Club's 110.0nm race to Dieppe for the Morgan Cup started in the Solent on a midsummer's day in superb conditions. The RORC fleet enjoyed a spectacular downwind start off the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, heading east for the English Channel. During the night, the wind evaporated and as high pressure enveloped the race course, competitors were searching for the best of the breeze and tidal conditions. By morning, clear skies and an early sunrise conspired to enhance sea breeze conditions, giving a fantastic downwind finish for the fleet into Dieppe. The slow-down during the night meant that the race to the finish was a close one, with many classes being decided by minutes, even seconds. The 2019 Morgan Cup Race was notable for British yachts which won all seven classes.
William McGough and Christian Jeffrey, racing their J/109 JUST SO in IRC Two Handed, won the 2019 Morgan Cup Race, winning overall in a fleet of 86 yachts racing under the IRC Rating System. McGough and Jeffrey are both corinthian sailors in their 30s, and this is their first season racing Two-Handed.
“We have been sailing together for 11 years with fully crewed teams in RORC races but this is the first time we have won a RORC trophy so we are absolutely delighted,” agreed McGough and Jeffrey, the Two-Handed team racing on JUST SO. “We got one of the best starts along with Bellino and we were going well out of the Solent. Probably the biggest tactical decision that paid off was to go east. If you look at the results of the pack of boats that went that way, they have all done well. When we finished the race, we looked at the boats around us and knew we had done well, but to win overall is amazing! JUST SO will be competing in the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race fully crewed, but this was the last race before we take on the Rolex Fastnet Race Two-Handed.”
In IRC One Class, Sam & Andrew Hall’s J/121 JACKHAMMER missed the podium by a mere 50 seconds, settling for fourth place.
In IRC Two, the 2017 IRC Two Overall Series Champion, Gilles Fournier's J/133 PINTIA took the bronze. Meanwhile, Chris Daniels’ J/122E JUNO placed fifth and Clive Miles J/122 JANGLE was seventh.
The podium for IRC Three was all British yachts, the Royal Navy Association's J/109 JOLLY JACK TAR, skippered by Tom Thicknesse, was third in class for the Morgan Cup.
In IRC Four, the J/109 JUST SO also won against all fully-crewed teams! For more RORC Morgan Cup sailing information
J/90 Wins GYA Challenge Cup
(Gulfport, MS)- The J/90 HOT TODDY recently won Class A of the 2019 GYA Challenge Cup hosted by the Gulfport Yacht Club In MS. Class A included 2 well raced and well-funded M32’s (War Canoe and Rougaroo) which are the perennial winners of Gulf Coast sailboat racing.
As the winner of Class A, HOT TODDY helped Pontchartrain Yacht Club to third place in the team competition and won several class A boat of the day trophies, the Overall Class A trophy, and the prestigious Buddy Friedricks perpetual trophy for the winner of Class A. This will be on display at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club for one year.
Said John Guy, crew on HOT TODDY, “we had to sail really hard and well to correct out and defeat both of these well-sailed M32’s. The weather was really great for the three days of racing, that included one long distance race and six windward-leeward races.”
J/Community
What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
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* Warrior Sailing Welcomes the Great Lakes! Warrior Sailing hosted their first Regional Training Camp in Charlevoix, Michigan June 8th and 9th, officially launching the program's regional sailing season!
In 2018, Warrior Sailing initiated a regional effort in the Great Lakes. The goal was was to facilitate more opportunities for applicants on a local level, particularly for those who were unable to attend a Basic Training Camp elsewhere due to travel costs and distance. The 2018 season was a success. This year, we wanted to continue to improve our service to the men and women involved in Warrior Sailing.
This project began with the appointment of Casey Petz as Regional Coordinator and the naming of Page Sikes as the Military Community Liaison for Warrior Sailing in the Great Lakes Region. Page and Casey decided to start the summer of sailing with a Basic Training Camp for those that wanted to sail with Warrior Sailing in the weekly training. With the help of Cory Kapes, our National Program Director, Casey and Page brought 12 Warriors to Charlevoix, Michigan to learn how to sail onboard the fleet of J/22’s. Our coaching staff for the camp included Quantum Sail loft employees. The two-day camp truly brought the Great Lakes Region into the Warrior Sailing family.
The two days were hosted by Charlevoix Yacht Club. The weather was varying sun and clouds with light winds, but enough to get the boats moving around the harbor on beautiful Lake Charlevoix.
Warrior Sailing looks forward to this increased regional coordination help facilitate more opportunities in the Great Lakes Area. The team there will provide weekly racing onboard the J/22s in Traverse City and will participate in a few regional events this summer and fall. Welcome to the family. Thanks for contribution from Ben Poucher.
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