J/Sailing NewsAnother week, another pandemic? Good Lord, will this never end? Well, sailors as usual are pretty clever at figuring out ways to address "rules", but still have some FUN! There are several examples that we have been championing for some time. More on that in a moment...
For starters, why have various J/Classes not promoted and pushed for events centered around single and doublehanded or "family" events? J/22s, J/24s, J/70s, J/80s, J/88s, J/105s, and J/111s are all very easily singlehanded and doublehanded- especially by couples and families! There could be a Single, Doublehanded, or Family events taking place now! Wake up world! Easy to organize. Just takes one or two people, or family/ household. Food for thought for creative, innovative, open-minded thinkers.
Already answering that "call to action" are some sailors/ yacht clubs. For example, Annapolis Yacht Club in Annapolis, Maryland did EXACTLY that idea. But, modified it and made it even more fun and laid back. Creative, innovative thinking, indeed! Taking a page out of San Francisco's "Three Bridge Fiasco", they created their simplified "Two Bridge Fiasco". Fun idea. It was incredibly successful!
As if sailors aren't frustrated enough to get out sailing in cleverly devised new events, consider the fact that last weekend, two massive events just took place, both "round island" races. The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) hosted their first-ever "Round Wight" event and contributed their "entry fees" as a donation to local charities. Hugely successful, the sailors loved their annual ritual of actually sailing around the 56.0nm Isle of Wight course. A challenge it was, as usual not exactly a "walk-in-the-park".
Then, in the USA, the Edgartown Yacht Club held their annual "Round Island" race of Martha's Vineyard, also around 56.0nm. A decidedly lighter affair, but no less enthusiastically welcomed by sailors throughout New England to get out on the water-- a "get out of jail free" card for many! Many a smiling face to be seen on the water, post-lockdown life.
Cool 360 Panoramas of J/99 and J/112E Online!
(Les Sables d'Olonne, France)- Dreaming of sailing fast and having your cake (& comfort) too? Experience a very cool "virtual boat show" of the J/99 and the J/112E online. After February's amazing Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show (remember when?), our J/Composites team in Les Sables d'Olonne worked with a French 3D image team to produce a very cool exploration of both the J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster and the beautiful J/112E offshore cruiser-racer (a World Champion in IRC/ ORC).
The J/99's performance and capabilities have been widely recognized by the world's yachting press as a truly fun, fast, evolutionary boat from the J/Design and J/Composites build teams. Recent awards include the SAIL's Best Boats- Performance Award, SAILING WORLD's Boat of the Year- Best Crossover Boat, and the British Yachting Awards - Performance Yacht award.
To explore the J/99 deck and interior, click on this link here.
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
No question the J/112E is fast. How fast? While designed principally for "sport cruising," in just a few seasons, the J/112E has managed to the win several prestigious international events including the 2018 IRC European Championship and the 2018 IRC/ORC World Championship. She has a unique, perhaps unequalled performance and comfort level unattainable by others; in the automotive world, a Mercedes AMG/ BMW M/ Tesla wrapped by the comfort of five-star Hotel George V in Paris....why not? You deserve it.
To explore the J/112E deck and interior, please click on this link here:
New J/Boats Parts Initiative Announced
(Newport, RI)- J/Boats is pleased to announce a new initiative with MAURIPRO Sailing to support aftermarket J/Boats parts for J/ sailors. The newly launched J/Boats Parts & Accessories initially features the J/22, J/24 and J/80 classes and will soon be expanded to include other popular one-design and cruising J’s.
“MAURIPRO Sailing has been supporting the sailing community and J/Sailors for many years,” commented Jeff Johnstone, J/Boats President. “Their team is fully engaged in all levels of the sport, and they share our long-term commitment to provide sailors with high performing products at a great value.” CLICK HERE TO VISIT J/BOATS PARTS
Chicago YC Verve Cup Preview
(Chicago, IL)- One of the largest course-racing regattas in North America, the Verve Cup is an annual world-class sailing event attracting many national and international competitors. Both the 3-day Offshore Regatta and, later, the 2-day Inshore Regatta host well over 100 yachts to our beautiful Chicago lakefront and skyline
For the Verve Offshore Regatta, participating yachts range in size from 25 to 80 feet. Competitors participate in daily multiple windward-leeward races. Boats sail either in a rating handicap section, so boats of different size and character may compete against each other, or in a One-Design section. Typically, there are 18 racing sections dispersed among three racing circles. Brag flags and prizes are awarded to the top finishers in each section and one offshore boat, the winner in what is determined by formula to be the most competitive section, “The Elite Fleet,” is awarded the perpetual Verve Cup Trophy. The Verve Cup Trophy dates back to 1893 and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s oldest trophy.
For this year's regatta, of course, none of the famous (or rather infamous) social activities are taking place onshore. Instead, due to the "pandemic guidelines", the Skipper's Meeting will be handled online, all notices posted online, and everyone practicing the stuff we are supposed to as part of the pandemic protocols. No "high-fiving" after winning races, that's for sure.
Nevertheless, the sailors in Chicago, like virtually anyplace else, are clearly suffering "cottage fever" and cannot wait to get back out on the race track. An excellent turn-out of J/sailors will be participating in this weekend's regatta.
For starters, the J/88 class has turned-out in strength, with seven boats ponying up to the line. Familiar faces should be in the top of the leaderboard mix, such as Andy Graff's EXILE, Ben Marden's BANTER, and John & Jordan Leahey's DUTCH.
The six-boat J/105 class also has many of its class leaders ready to do battle offshore, such as Jon Weglarz's THE ASYLUM, Clark Pellet's SEALARK, and Mike Sheppard's FLYING PIG.
Similarly, the five-boat J/109 class sees Peter Priede's FULL TILT, Bob Evan's GOAT RODEO, Jack Tolliver's VANDA III, and the trio of Miz/ Dreher/ Hatfield guiding SMEE AGAIN to the front of the class.
In the ten-boat ORR Class, two J/111's are taking on all-comers; Kevin Saedi and Raman Yousefi's MOMENTUS and Rick Witzel's ROWDY.
In the Saturday ORR Distance Race class, we find Boyd Jarrell's J/111 HEAD ROOM and Tom Papoutsis' J/133 RENEGADE also taking on their ten-boat fleet.
Finally, the Saturday PHRF Distance Race class of seven-boats will see Frank Giampoli's J/120 JAHAZI and Rick Reed's J/35 OB LA DI! hoping to take home the silver. For more Chicago YC Verve Cup Offshore Regatta sailing information
Annapolis NOOD Regatta Update
(Annapolis, MD)- "As the new dates for the Annapolis NOOD regatta draw closer, we are working hard to make plans to accommodate all the new Covid 19 regulations imposed by State of Maryland, and local Annapolis authorities, as well as the Annapolis area yacht clubs. Our goal is to ensure we have a great sailing event and most importantly, a safe sailing event. The landscape in which we find ourselves is ever changing, so planning is more difficult than usual, but rest assured we are doing our best to pull this off.
No doubt you have questions and we will try to address those and share what we know to be the plan to date. We will not mandate any in-person meetings or gathering, including registration. All waivers, payments, etc., will be completed online. We are working on ideas on how to distribute skippers’ bags, so stay tuned for information on pickup schedules or something similar.
With all confidence, we can tell you that there will be no organized social events post sailing during the NOOD regattas. State regulations prohibit large gatherings, so however disappointing it seems, we will adhere to those guidelines. Save your dancing shoes for next year – we will go big!
Together with AYC we have agreed to reduce the number of boats needed to form a class. Please refer to Amendment 1 to the NOR posted on Yacht Scoring. Note that smaller classes may be sharing starts but will still be awarded trophies by class. Hoping to make room for anyone that wants to sail.
Awards MAY be hosted via ZOOM and prizes will be left at AYC’s Sailing Center for winners to claim. Linda Ambrose, AYC’s Harborside Director has been kind enough to offer to facilitate the “giving of swag” since we cannot host an awards ceremony in person. More information on this as we get closer to the event.
Regarding whom you crew with, how many you crew with, masks or no masks – none of this is up to us to decide. We will confer with our co-OA Annapolis Yacht Club as to what the current (at the time of the event) state and local government regulations are regarding recreational boating and those will be the guidelines. All of this will be posted and reposted closer to the event.
Launching – please make sure to confirm the policies of your launching location whether a boatyard or yacht club directly with that entity.
Annapolis Yacht Club has welcomed visiting yachtsmen to their Main Clubhouse during NOOD for years, but not this year. We support their current policy of not allowing non-members to obtain guest cards and use the Main Clubhouse facilities. Members are welcome to have non-member guests join them for lunch or dinner at the Club while visiting Annapolis, but those of us that are not members will refrain from visiting this year. The AYC Sailing Center will be open for locker room use as well as ice purchase if needed. At this time, masks will be required upon entry to any AYC facility and while addressing any AYC or NOOD representative. Hand sanitizing stations will be onsite at the Sailing Center.
Lastly, we are excited to get back on the water with you. Annapolis Yacht Club has proven successful at getting racing going and conducting safe, fun, competitive races so we are confident in our partnership. With the help of AYC we have been able to offer a one-time-only discounted entry fee for the Annapolis NOOD. We will be posting a lower than normal entry fee, with a nod to all that isn’t happening this year and will refund a portion of full fare entries that have already paid as well as any social passes purchased. If for any reason the regatta does not occur as planned, all entries will be refunded in full. We just hope those that are comfortable will come out to play. More to come, stay safe and sail fast." Sailing photo credit- Paul Todd/ Outside Images. For more Annapolis NOOD Regatta by Helly Hansen sailing information
Danish J/70 Sailing League Preview
(Aarhus, Denmark)- The Danish J/70 Sailing League is about to start its 2020 sailing season in the picturesque setting of Aarhus, Denmark. Eighteen teams will be showing up for the two-day weekend of racing. Like all other events in the "pandemic world", the competitors will be mandated to follow Denmark's Covid-19 guidelines for event participation. However, like the other years, there will be no shortage of coffee, delicious lunch, or cake, for the many participants on the "pandemic buffet line!!"
Here is the updated schedule for the Danish J/70 Sailing League:
- Aarhus- August 8th to 9th- 2. Division
- Aarhus- August 15th to 16th- 1. Division
- Sletten- August 22nd to 23rd- Youth League
- Skovshoved- August 29th to 30th- 2. Division
- Skovshoved- September 5th to 6th- 1. Division
J/Gear August 20% OFF Special!
(Newport, RI)- The J/Foul Weather Jacket boasts a rugged construction and features taped seams for durability. The jackets are discounted 20% and the special price is active now until August 30th, 2020.
The very nice-looking jacket features the following
- Zip-off multi-adjustable hood
- Partial storm flap with metal snaps at top
- Reflective printed shoulder panels
- Center front reverse coil waterproof zipper
- Chest and lower pockets with reverse coil waterproof zipper
- Adjustable shockcord at hood and hem
- Outer jacket works with style 9951 liner- offers warmth to 8.0 F!
Sailing Calendar
Aug 13-16- SAILING Champions League- St Petersburg, Russia
Aug 14-16- Swedish J/70 Sailing League- Ornskoldsvik, Sweden
Aug 15-16- Danish J/70 Sailing League- Aarhus, Denmark
Aug 15-16- J/Fest Newport- Newport, RI
Aug 28-30- J/70 Segel Bundesliga- Wannsee, Germany
Aug 28-30- Under 21 Italian J/70 Sailing League Championship- Rimini, Italy
Sep 5-6- Danish J/70 Sailing League- Skovshoved, Denmark
J/Crews Silver @ Edgartown Round Island
(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA)- The Edgartown Yacht Club hosted the 82nd running of its signature ‘Round-the-Island (’RTI) race on Saturday, August 1st, 2020. The Round Island, which began in 1938 and counts as one of America’s oldest distance races, it tracks 56.0 nautical miles around Martha’s Vineyard.
The hoped-for classic sailing conditions materialized later than usual but enabled the faster boats to circumnavigate the island in just under ten hours.
Happily adapting to the pandemic guidelines were many J/Sailors. Answering the Siren's Song were sixteen J/Crews, ranging from J/29s to J/46! All divisions have J's participating, such as IRC, ORRez, PHRF, and PHRF Doublehanded!
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (Chilmark, Mass.) claimed the coveted Venona Trophy at Edgartown Race Weekend’s 82nd ‘Round-the-Island Race, sailing his classic Alden Cutter 44 Lark to win his class and post the best corrected time from among all entrants in the Spinnaker Division. A fleet of 46 boats competing in eight classes started and finished its circumnavigation of Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, August 1. In a virtual Awards Ceremony, held Sunday afternoon, Kerry (who also is a former U.S. Senator for Massachusetts) praised host Edgartown Yacht Club for pulling off the regatta during the Coronavirus pandemic, which sadly has caused the cancellation of many other regattas.
“The Club did a brilliant job-- thoughtful and well-executed, without onerous but, nevertheless, clear restraints,” said Kerry, mentioning particularly the restriction of no social gatherings at the club. “That’s a hard thing to give up in sailing, but it was hugely appreciated that they covered all the bases and it allowed us to get out on the water.” ALL teams were limited to just FIVE (5) crew!
The light northeast wind at the start became a stronger southwesterly by the time the fleet reached the south side of the island. A number of J/Teams swept the top spots in various classes, loving the tactical conditions and making good use of their VMG speed with big A-Sails flying in the light stuff. Most boats took from 9 to 11 hours to finish the race by sunset!
Edgartown Yacht Club’s ‘Round-the-Island Race — one of America’s oldest distance races — originated in 1938, and except for the years of World War II, has been an annual event since then on Martha’s Vineyard. After an 0800 start, the fleet sails between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket along the east beach of Chappaquiddick. At midday, it is in the open Atlantic Ocean with views of the south coast of the Vineyard. In the afternoon, rounding the famously gorgeous cliffs of Gay Head, the fleet sails up Vineyard Sound. If the tidal currents or wind conditions make the going slow, the Race Committee can shorten course. (This year, Doublehand B and PHRF Non-Spinnaker classes sailed an abbreviated course of 45.52 miles.)
Stephen Besse (Vineyard Haven, Mass.), sailed his J/120 APRES to victory in the PHRF Doublehanded A Class, the second largest class with eight entrants, to collect the Eolis Trophy. He says he has been second in his class here at least five times out of ten previous tries but has never won, and this year was the first time he sailed without a full crew.
“I did it that way because of Covid-19,” he said, “knowing there would be only one other person to worry about instead of eight people.” Besse, like Kerry, played it right at the most critical juncture in the race; “the wind dropped out where Muskeget was narrowing down and some boats got sucked across Wasque Shoal. Having done this race before, I stayed farther east and drifted by Mutton Shoal on the right side of the buoy by just a boat length. Others had gotten carried past it and were anchored. We had enough of a lead that if we didn’t do anything stupid, we’d be good. We sailed the rest of the race hard, however, and we loved sailing from The Hooter (a government mark that makes a hooting sound) to Squibnocket in seven knots of breeze.”
In the PHRF Spinnaker B class of five-boats, it was Eliot Shanabrook's J/109 HAFA ADAI that won by nearly an hour on corrected time! Wow! Congrats to that performance! Second was the trio of Joyce/ Reservitz/ Wagner on their J/105 DARK'N'STORMY.
Sailing in PHRF Spinnaker C class were two near sisterships. Taking the silver and winning the Hobart A.H. Cook Trophy (Best Corrected Time among Service Academy entries) was U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's J/44 VAMP. It was past class winner Dick Egan's beautiful J/46 WINGS that managed to pull off a fourth place in the light stuff. Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier. For more information Edgartown YC Round Island Race sailing information
Challenging Round Isle of Wight Race!
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- A race around the Isle of Wight on Saturday 1st August marked the return to competitive racing at the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
133 boats took part with J/70 POWERPLAY sailor (and former J/29 owner) Peter Cunningham from the Cayman Islands taking overall line honors over the fleet in his MOD 70 POWERPLAY. “I have been in quarantine for 14 days, so that was a release!” smiled Peter. “That is the first time I have raced around the island. The sun was shining, a beautiful day, a great boat, top crew and a fun race. This was a fantastic way to come out of quarantine. We plan to do more RORC racing during August and September.”
The race of approximately 50.0nm started from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line with a course anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight (e.g. starting west towards the famous "Needles Lighthouse"). Approaching high tide, the island shore was favored by much of the fleet due to tidal conditions. After beating to the Needles, the fleet turned downwind into adverse current. Staying close to the island shore worked for many successful teams. As the breeze clocked a little to the south, there was little in the way of wind shadow to the east of the island. The fleet entered the Eastern Solent, where a fresh breeze made for a fast beat to the finish.
Thirty-two J/Crews entered in the race, looking forward to their picturesque circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight. Sailing in the thirteen-boat IRC 1 Class was Mike O’Donnell’s J/121 DARKWOOD; they won last year’s RORC Channel Race and was competing with a crew of five. In the end, their circumnavigation took them 6 hr 38 min, good enough for 4th place in their first outing of the year in the insanely competitive "Fast 40" class in IRC One.
The twenty-four boat IRC 2 Class was a hodgepodge of old and new designs. In the end, Simon Bamford's J/111 KESTREL took 4th place while Stu Lawrence's J/120 SCREAM 2 settled for 7th position.
The enormous forty-three-boat IRC 3 division saw the J/112E's lead the rest of their J/Team colleagues’ home. Taking the silver was James Chalmers' HAPPY DAIZE followed by Bruce Huber's XANABOO on the bronze step of the podium.
In summary: permitted crew could be up to a maximum of 6 people from any household or two-thirds of a boat’s IRC crew number, whichever is the least. Competitors were also reminded of the government guidance on social distancing and other Covid-19 pandemic measures. For more RORC Round Wight Sailing Information
Annapolis J/Crews Love Two-Bridge Fiasco!
(Annapolis, MD)- Build It And They Will Come", reported Will Keyworth from Annapolis. "Well, Annapolis Yacht Club built on a race format used successfully in San Francisco Bay called the Three Bridge Fiasco but named theirs’s the Two Bridge Fiasco. The AYC put the Notice of Race on social media and boy did they come!
143 single and doublehanded teams hit the starting line for this fantastic new event, and no one was disappointed! Mother Nature turned on the wind machine to put some relief to the 90+ F temps and smiles on many a sailor's face!
It was a wild ride on the way back from the Bay Bridge mark with all of the waves set up by the 15 kt southerly compounded by all of the residual boat wakes from the fleets boiling downwind to the Bay Bridge mark..The SPINSHEET Protector was like a cork on the ocean providing its occupants with their own personal "carnival ride!"
According to Kevin Reeds and Dick Neville, "some were skeptical about the idea of a fun race, modeled after the successful Three Bridge Fiasco in San Francisco. But, it seemed like a good idea to try it here in Annapolis during a season of cancelled events and owners trying to finesse the idea of short-handed sailing. Thanks to the handicapping expertise of Bruce Bingman, starting times staggered based on predicted performance on the course with the fastest entries starting over an hour after the first competitor crossed the line at 1105 AM. The entries started slowly and then increased to a bold 100 and then more. Ultimately, 133 boats competed in the 10.0-mile Two Bridge Fiasco course which started at G9 at the mouth of the Severn River. From the start, competitors had to decide which order to round marks at the Naval Academy and Bay Bridges before returning to the finish again at G9. They could cross the start and finish line in either direction. So, yes, a not-too-serious, pursuit style race, with all boat types and non-racers welcome, turned out to be very popular. A sunny day with a nice 8-15 knot breeze made it even more successful."
SPINSHEET, the Chesapeake Bay sailing magazine, checked in with Dick Neville, who serves on the AYC’s sailing committee, and Kevin Reeds, who is serving as the principal race officer of the inaugural Two Bridge Fiasco to learn more about this exciting new Chesapeake Bay-area event.
SPIN: Can you give us an overview of the course? Also, are there specific areas that you think will provide tactical opportunities?
DN: The start and finish will be in the same place. We will set a rounding mark in front of each bridge. [Boats can] go to either mark first, then to second mark then to finish. There is a point to round between marks, with shallow water - advantage small boats.
KR: The course will start and finish at a government mark (G9) in the Severn River just outside of Annapolis. From the start, boats must round two inflatable marks before returning to G9 to finish. The marks will be located near the Bay Bridge and the Naval Academy Bridge. Competitors can round the two marks in either order.
SPIN: Some smaller boats will definitely have a potential advantage as they can transit across the face of Greenbury Point, which is very shallow. The challenge for them will be that because they are faster, they will be starting later in the pursuit sequence so they will have to be fast to catch those boats that have already started.
SPIN: What are the best-case and worst-case scenarios in terms of weather/conditions for the course?
DN: [It’s] traditionally light air. Worst [case is] no wind. Best [case is] 10-12 knots.
KR: This time of year, we can see a wide range of weather conditions, ranging from no wind to well over 30 knots if a summer squall comes through. Generally, we are expecting the wind to be between four and eight knots…that would be a perfect July day here in Annapolis.
SPIN: Will the event employ any unusual rules, or will it follow the standard Racing Rules of Sailing?
DN: [It will follow the] regular RRS, but we expect first-timers to not know [the] rules.
KR: [The] AYC is currently using a modified race-management plan because of COVID-19, which includes the elimination of signaling flags and extensive use of the VHF radio to communicate with competitors.
SPIN: We will use this same protocol for the [Two Bridge] Fiasco. This race will also use a pursuit start with the slower boats going off first followed by the faster boats.
Start times will be based on [each] boat’s PHRF rating. For those boats that do not have a PHRF rating, we will be using the Portsmouth Yardstick system to create a rating number for them. Whoever finishes first wins!
SPIN: How important do you think local knowledge will be in this event?
DN: Very.
KR: Local knowledge might prove to be very important for the Fiasco, especially if the wind is light. Knowing how the current works in the Severn River might provide a big advantage. Also, for the smaller boats, knowing where the shoals are across Greenbury Point will be key to sailing the shortest course.
SPIN: What kinds of safe-play pandemic tactics are you expecting from the racers on the water? Are we talking about standard-issue things like face masks and hand sanitizer, or will the doublehanded crews also be expected to self-quarantine ahead of the race? Also, do you expect that this will be a highly competitive event, or is the spirit of this event more about getting out on the water for some friendly racing?
DN: No special Covid requirements as the single-/double-handed [format] meets requirements. Friendly competition only is the intent.
KR: This race is limited to single and double-handed crews only. Everyone will be expected to wear masks and social distance when ashore at AYC. Boats will not be allowed to raft up at the club and there will be no post-race party.
SPIN: We have also recruited three quarantine couples to serve [as] the mark-set boat crews - one couple per boat. Our signal boat crew will be limited to only six people [including] the boat driver. All sailors and race committee volunteers will wear marks before leaving the dock.
Given that this is the first year that the Two Bridge Fiasco is being sailed, are there any traditions that you and the other organizers hope (or envision) will develop? Or, do you see that kind thing unfurling more organically over the years?
DN: Purely a trial to get non-racers involved and see if sailors enjoy it.
KR: Great Question! Our initial intent was simply to create an opportunity for folks to go sailing during the pandemic. We liked that idea of single- and/or double-handed crews for the same reason—limited opportunity to be within six feet of others.
Dick [Neville] and I wanted it to be fun and with no frills or stress for the club or the competitors, and we were hoping to attract some folks that don’t normally come out to compete at regularly scheduled events here at AYC.
One of the traditions we built into the event is that there will be no trophies— other than bragging rights. Hopefully that will become a thing going forward.
The [sailing community’s] response has frankly been overwhelming, and we are very excited that this could become a regular event of our annual sailing calendar going forward.
SPIN: Can you tell us about any efforts that you and the other regatta organizers have made to try to lower the regatta’s environmental footprint or otherwise green-up the regatta?
DN: Deliberate minimal RC involvement to meet Covid-19 [standards] with added benefit of [the] environment.
KR: Environmental issues [have] not been part of our thinking for this event. The focus is just on providing folks an opportunity to go sailing during a pandemic and have a blast doing it.
SPIN: Anything else that you’d like to add, for the record?
KR: I am excited to serve as the PRO for this event. I am originally from San Francisco, so the Three Bridge Fiasco has always a favorite of mine. I am pleased to be bringing a bit of the West Coast to Annapolis in the form of the AYC’s Two Bridge Fiasco. I can’t wait to get started on Sunday, August second and see who wins."
In the end, it was not surprising to see a number of J/Teams fare well in their easily sailed, easily doublehanded boats.
Winning the ten-boat J/22 class was Jake Doyle's ZESTY ENTERPRISE, followed by Jeff Todd's HOT TODDY, and Chris Brady's GODSPEED. Of note, Terry Hutchinson's son and daughter, James and Annabelle, were having fun getting out on the Chesapeake Bay for the first time. If you recall, Terry is a J/24 World Champion and skipper/ manager of the New York YC AMERICAN MAGIC America's Cup Challenge Team.
In the five-boat J/24 class, it was Will Bomar & Bri Grenier on BANGOR PACKET taking class honors, followed by Kent Bartlett's SPACEMAN SPIFF and Kelly Fitzgerald & Mike Coe's RUSH HOUR.
There was a great turn-out for the J/105s, with seven boats aggressively pointing their bows across the line...even worse than the J/70's! Winning that class was Arthur Libby & Tom Carter's DOG HOUSE, followed by Brian Robinson's VELVET HAMMER, and Fredrik Salvesen's MIRAGE.
There was a LOT of strong competition for braggin' rights in the nine-boat J/70 class. What fun it is to race a J/70 double-handed! Winning was Henry Filter's WILD CHILD, followed by David Schoene's UNO MAS in second, and Ray Wulff's BUYING THE CADILLAC in third place. Amazingly, Lighting World Champion Geoff Becker sailed AWKWARD TURTLE into the cellar...more background news on that later!
In the huge 44-boat PHRF Spinnaker class, Kevin McKee's J/80 DEATH RATTLE took the bronze while John Loe's J/33 HORNET placed 7th ahead of twelve other J/crews.
In the PHRF Non-Spinnaker class of 22-boats, Paul & Sue Mikulski's J/42 FULL CICLE placed fourth while Nick Iliff's J/105 MUSKRAT finished just behind in 5th place. Thanks for contribution from SPINSHEET. For more news on Annapolis Yacht Clubs inaugural Two-Bridge Fiasco:
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Air conditioning in all cabins & salon (Dometic, 2014/2019). Virtually perfect, your dream around the world cruiser. To learn more about this elegant and beautifully-equipped J/160 performance cruiser
* J/122 JOSS Report from Australia
JOSS is a J/122 launched in 2012 and has been a regular competitor in offshore events in Perth, Western Australia (WA) since she arrived from Papua, New Guinea in 2013.
Regular readers of J/News may remember JOSS cruised her inaugural voyage from Sydney to Papua, New Guinea where the owner was working, and then, onto Perth via Darwin (e.g. "north around the top of OZ"). Since arriving in the Perth racing scene, she has accumulated an enviable collection of silverware.
The Offshore Racing Spring/Summer Calendar in WA consists of 12 Ocean Racing WA (ORWA) official events and 3 club events (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and Fremantle Sailing Club). FSC also conducts a 4 race winter series.
Ian, owner and skipper commented; “The more you sail, the more you hopefully improve, and JOSS typifies this statement.
We had a brilliant 2018/19 Offshore Season– Runner up in the Siska Trophy & Bluewater Div 1 IRC Series, and winning several IRC & YAH ORWA Series and 2 FSC IRC & YAH Series.
In 2019/20 ORWA changed the “Siska Trophy” criteria from being solely a Bluewater Combined Fleet IRC Series, to be all ORWA Races ie 12 Bluewater & Offshore IRC Races (Combined Fleets) - the “Winner” therefore crowned the “WA Offshore Champion Yacht”.
The 2019/20 Season has been simply “Amazing”. JOSS had a clean sweep of “ALL” ORWA Div 1 IRC Series in WA, in summary:
Winner of the coveted 33rd Siska Trophy – Overall Season Champion Yacht (Combined Fleets)
Bluewater Series – Winners Div 1 IRC & PHS
Offshore Series – Winners Div 1 IRC & PHS
43rd Farrawa Cup Series (RFBYC) – Winners (Combined fleet), Winners Div 1 IRC.
Success Cup Series (FSC) – Winners Div 1 IRC & PHS
Captain Stirling Cup Series (FSC) – Winners Div 1 & PHS
Valamdre Winter Cup Series (FSC) – Winners DIV 1 IRC.
The key to our success – an extremely well-prepared boat, core crew who have sailed together for several years, a willingness to sail every event in every condition, aiming for consistent results throughout the season and sailing a really competitive IRC rated “J/Boat”.
Finally, the sheer enjoyment and sense of achievement of being able to sail offshore.
We are extremely realistic as to the ever-improving quality of the yachts competing in WA, and of our chances in terms of repeating such unbelievable season results, the challenges are made somewhat easier when your name is already inscribed on the trophies.
Our goals in 2020/21 are to continue to be as competitive as possible, enjoy ourselves sailing offshore, and celebrate whoever wins next year!!"
WOW! What else can you say about their extraordinary performance over the past two years. We wish Ian and JOSS crew well in their pursuit of future offshore silverware! Sail fast and fair winds to our Down Under sailing mates!
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The eight-boat J/70 class was fiercely contested by the two protagonists, and well-known, racing teams in Santa Barbara. Past J/24 North American Champion Pat Toole and his team on 3 BIG DOGS had their hands full taking on Scott Deardorff/ Jon Ziskind/ Gus Duncan's CAKE. Over the course of seven races, these two teams won all seven races and accounted for six 2nds! In the end, it was Toole's 3 BIG DOGS that took the regatta by two points over the CAKE team. Third was the MONKEY HOUSE gang, led by Paul Castleberg and Lauren Amery. Fourth was Thomas Tunberg's NAMASTE and fifth John McCaffery's MAGIC CARPET RIDE.
In July 2017, a J/111 competing in the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race is boarded by terrorists intent on smuggling weapons into the U.S. After escaping from his captors, the owner is rescued and subsequently calls the FBI Boston field office to report that his boat’s been hijacked. The call appears to be a hoax, and the local agents have already been assigned to a visit by the President that evening. Because Bureau procedures require a response to all threats, the task of investigating the call is given to an unlikely hero, FBI Information Management Specialist Ben Porter. With no training in field work, will Ben be able to uncover the deadly plot and prevent it from being carried out?
