J/Newsletter- March 17th, 2021

The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide

With spring-time peeking around the corner in the northern hemisphere, and sailors are getting accustomed to living and playing within the pandemic guidelines in various regions, more and more events are braving the elements to get a real 2021 sailing season underway. In the coming weeks, one hopes the European "third wave" is quelled quickly so that schedules for a number of one-design and offshore classes can get underway soon.

Over in the Americas, the season is starting off slowly but surely. Down south, the J/105 Midwinters was just sailed on Galveston Bay, hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club for a very eager group of sailors. Likewise, a fleet of twenty-two J/70 sailors took to the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay to sail the Bacardi Invitational, hosted by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and Shake-A-Leg Foundation in Miami, FL. Out west, the first J/105 fleet in the world hosted their inaugural "Pi" Race on San Francisco Bay for doublehanded sailors.

Not to be outdone, the nascent efforts of the J/80 one-design class in India continues to grow year-by-year. This past week saw their first "offshore" race of about 80.0nm in the Bay of Bengal in south India. The event was called the UNIFI CAPITAL J/80 Offshore Race based in Chennai, India. 

Finally, in the J/Community section below, learn about the Storm Trysail Club Offshore Symposium that was hosted virtually in November 2020 with leaders in all aspects of seamanship, racing, military, expeditions, and so forth... it has numerous lessons about leadership and safety offshore that's well-worthwhile to watch- it includes a 70-minute YouTube video.
 

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J/22 Midwinter Championship Preview

(New Orleans, LA)- From March 18th to 21st, the gorgeous new Southern Yacht Club will be hosting the J/22 Midwinter Championship on the challenging, choppy waters of Lake Ponchartrain. The thirty teams from across the country should be blessed with spring-like windy conditions with breezes forecast to start in the northwesterly quadrant and slowly, persistently shift right all weekend. 


The entry list has many class leaders participating; all eager to get on the water and enjoy the fresh air on the water, the wind in your hair, and the sun on your face.  Some of the notable teams with Midwinter, North American, and World titles in various classes include Benz Faget's FATS, Tommy Meric's CARNIVAL TIME, Dwight LeBlanc's WILD TCHOUPITOULAS, Travis Odenbach's HONEYBADGER, Glenn Darden's BABY DOLL, Mark Foster's PRESSURE DROP, Chip Carpenter's WIZARD, and Casey Lambert's BLACKBURN MARINE RACING.


The Southern YC welcomes all teams with open arms and will surely provide their famous red-carpet treatment for their guests. The regatta promises to be epic given the depth of talent, the often-challenging choppy waters of Lake Ponchartrain, and the very shifty puffy winds shifting from NW to NE over the three days.  For more J/22 Midwinter Championship registration & sailing information
 

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San Diego NOOD Regatta Preview

(San Diego, CA)- The first of the famous HELLY HANSEN Sailing World NOOD Regatta series will be taking place in San Diego, CA this coming weekend. San Diego Yacht Club will play host for the event from March 19th to 21st for one-design fleets of J/24s and J/105s and an offshore North Sails Doublehanded Race.

The J/24 class features teams like Brian Dolan's CALAMITY from Tucson, Arizona (the long-distance traveler award!); Christian Seidel's CYGNET 2, Bill Ramacciotti's GREENBACK BOOGIE, Ryan Jurkowski's IRIE, and Dave Wethereit's SUPERDRY.


The always highly-competitive fleet of eight J/105s will see a number of the class stalwarts participating for their first time in over twelve months! Those teams include Steve & Lucy Howell's BLINK!, Stew Cannon's J-OK, Scott McDaniel's OFF THE PORCH and Bill Quealy's J RABBIT SLIM. 

Looking forward to the challenge of sailing large boats doublehanded offshore is Stephen Driscoll's J/105 JUICED and Rudy Hasl's J/145 PALAEMON. Should be fun to watch these teams wrestle their boats around the track off Point Loma. Sailing photo credits- Bronny Daniels/ JOY Sailing.com.  For more San Diego NOOD Regatta sailing information
 

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NHYC Cabo Race Preview

(Newport Beach, CA)- On Friday midday, a fleet of eighteen offshore racers will be pointing their bows across the starting line set by the host Newport Harbor Yacht Club and will soon be headed 800.0nm south from Newport Beach, CA down to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It is a famous race, a famous challenge, and anything can happen. Often the most significant decisions are which teams have chosen between hugging the Mexican coastline or heading offshore to steadier winds...it's often a roll of the dice. 

Looking forward to that challenge are two thoroughbreds in the J/Design stable. Racing in ORR Class C are Standish Fleming's J/125 NEREID and Roger Gatewood's J/145 KATARA.  Both are well-prepared, well-sailed boats with strong tactical/ strategic navigational teams on board. Furthermore, both boats have demonstrated the ability to win more than their fair share of silverware as well! With solid breezes forecast from the north, the fleet should have a reasonably quick sleighride down to the famous ocean resort of Cabo San Lucas!  For more Cabo Race sailing information
 

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San Diego Yacht Club's Yachting Cup is a Go!

(San Diego, CA)- After a full year of limited racing, postponed regattas, and socially distanced sailing, it seems like the world of competitive racing is finally getting back on course. In October 2020, San Diego Yacht Club hosted a postponed edition of the Yachting Cup, one of their most popular signature regattas. Thirty-seven boats came out as restrictions on boating eased - an event that typically hosts over 100 boats. A mere six months later, and the Yachting Cup is working to get back on course as well, returning to the weekend at the beginning of May where it’s been held in years past- May 1-2, 2021. 

While the event might not be ramped up to its typical pre-Covid model, it is clear what the main attraction of the Yachting Cup really is: the sailing. SDYC Waterfront Director Jeff Johnson says it best, “The success of the event has been and will be being able to get out on the water. It’s an event for all of those that are looking to sail, and that’s why we do it - for the competitors. It’s not about the food and free drinks or fancy awards. It’s just to sail. And that’s what we’re doing.”

The 2021 Yachting Cup begins at 1200 on Saturday, May 1 and will be held on two ocean courses on the Coronado Roads. Competitors will be divided into one design fleets or Handicap Divisions (PHRF, ORR, ORR-ez). 

Always one of Yachting Cup first entrants is SDYC Staff Commodore John Laun’s J/120 CAPER, who hasn’t missed a Yachting Cup in 20 years before last October’s regatta. Similar to many competitors, this will be his first opportunity back on the water. “This will be CAPER's first regatta in 16 months!! I’m excited to reunite with the crew. We’ve been together for over 10 years, some as long as 20. My crew is full of great friends and skilled sailors,” explained Laun.

Another J/120 skipper ready to get back out on the water after an injury last fall is SDYC Staff Commodore Chuck Nichols, sailing on CC RIDER. “I’ve raced in almost every Yachting Cup since the early eighties. The best racers in Southern California show up for the Yachting Cup. Everyone knows they will participate in good competition with good Race Committee work,” he started. “Between major regattas, we try to sail races that are similar to the types of courses we are going to see in the near future. Continuity of crew is critical to our success. They all know their jobs well and we work hard to get them out for every race on our calendar. Our crew is a fun-loving bunch who really enjoy joking around, but they also know when to hang up the hijinks and get down to racing.”

Back for another year to chair the event is Patrick Murray. “As we’ve endured an extremely long year dreaming of the things that we love to do, it’s time to get back at it and get back out racing. We’re excited to be hosting an event that will be building on the 2020 Yachting Cup as we work our way closer to a new normal,” he started.

“As with the 2020 edition, we’ll be focusing on the water and high-level racing on both courses. We expect to have extremely tight one design racing in the J/105 one-design fleet while we’ll have the bigger boats going head-to-head on the far course. One thing is for sure, you can count on all the teams bringing their A-games as the competition is always tight! We’ve had an active weather pattern here this spring, and that’s a good sign that we’ll get really nice sailing condition. We’re looking forward to having a great regatta! See you on the water," finished Murray.

Safety precautions are in place to ensure a healthy event such as socially distancing and wearing face coverings. SDYC is strictly following the protocols set forth by the County and the State. Due to continuing restrictions on gatherings, there will be no post-race socials on Saturday or Sunday evening. This year’s Yachting Cup will continue to feature a Skipper’s Meeting via Zoom. Awards will be announced at the Post Race Debrief after racing on Sunday, May 2. Awards will be available for individual pick-up or delivery. 
Sailing photo credits- Bronny Daniels/ JOY Sailing.com.  For more SDYC Yachting Cup regatta and sailing information
 

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Block Island Race Week Update

(Block Island, RI)- With just under 100 days left until Race Week, 150 teams have already joined Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville (seventy are J/Boats = 47%)! This is the highest number of early registrations in over a decade for the biennial Storm Trysail Club event. “We cannot underestimate the motivation for sailors and their families to return to doing what they love together,” says Event Chair Ray Redniss. “With increased vaccine rollouts and lower case numbers, we are cautiously optimistic that our 2021 event will be a great success.”

Still, the race organizers are managing expectations that 2021 won’t be exactly like past Race Weeks. The logistics of hosting a large regatta on an island demands months of preparation and - as one of the first major events to be held among so much uncertainty - a variety of necessary measures to keep sailors, volunteers and local families safe and healthy will be implemented. What those policies look like is still being determined.


“We meet each week as a team and are in constant contact with local businesses, a variety of experts, and our vendors,” says Redniss. “We know our sailors come for the fun, camaraderie, and competition, and our goal is still to deliver all that at the highest level, albeit safely.”

Regards J/Teams participation, so far here are the amazing numbers:

• ORC 2- five J/121s and two J/122s
• J/44 class- seven boats
• J/88 class- five boats
• J/109 class- thirteen boats
• J/105 class- sixteen boats
• PHRF 1- six J/111s and two J/122s (J/111s will get one-design start)
• PHRF 2- a J/99, J/33, J/35
• PHRF 3- a J/24, two J/29s, two J/80s
• PHRF Cruise 1 Spin- a J/120, J/95
• PHRF Cruise 2 Spin- a J/120, J/125, J/133
• PHRF Cruise 3 Spin- a J/29

Racers planning to attend should have already started to make their housing, docking, and ferry arrangements, as we have been notified there are only a few reservations still available. Do not wait to plan ahead for your week away! Come one, come all, and join in on the fun! It promises to be an EPIC Block Island Race Week!  Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier. For more Block Island Race Week sailing information
 

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J/70 European Championship Postponed

(Copenhagen, Denmark)– The Royal Danish Yacht Club (KDY) Organizing Committee and the International J/70 Class Association met to review the Danish governments pandemic restrictions and decided to move the Championship to late August this year. Registration/inspections will start on August 27th, 2021 and the prize-giving ceremony will conclude the Championship on September 4th, 2021.

The event was scheduled in June at the Royal Danish Yacht Club. Please see the revised Notice of Race that will be posted in the coming days. It's the hope of the KDY Organizing Committee to be able to host a great and “normal” regatta with activity at the harbor, socializing and great racing later this year
For more J/70 European Championship regatta information
 

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J/Gear March 20% Off Special!

(Newport, RI)- The Marmot zip top model #9276 has a 20.0% discount for March! The simple lines and full-on function of the J Stretch Fleece 1/2 Zip makes layering on and off the water a practical solution. The warm polyester stretch fleece with a comfortable flat-locked seam construction allows liberal movement. Marmot quality and durability throughout. It's perfect partner for all seasons. In black, marine blue, or red.   Order your beautiful Marmot 1/2 zip top here
 

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Sailing Calendar

Mar 18-21- J/22 Midwinter Championship- New Orleans, LA
Mar 19-21- San Diego NOOD Regatta- San Diego, CA
Mar 19- NHYC Cabo Race- Newport Beach, CA
Mar 25-28- SAIL 22 J/70 Invitational- Coconut Grove, FL
Mar 26-28- St. Thomas International Regatta- St. Thomas, USVI
Mar 29- Apr 4- BVI Spring Regatta- Road Town, Tortola, BVI
Apr 2-4- St Petersburg NOOD Regatta- St Petersburg, FL
Apr 8-11- Charleston Race Week- Charleston, SC
Apr 30- May 2- Annapolis NOOD Regatta- Annapolis, MD
Apr 30- May 2- J/111 North American Championship- Annapolis, MD
May 9-15- J/70 North American Championship- Annapolis, MD 

For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
 

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HONEYBADGER Crowned J/70 Bacardi Champion

(Miami, FL)- This past weekend, the Bacardi Invitational for the J/70 class took place on Miami's Biscayne Bay, hosted by the Shake-A-Leg Foundation, with race management conducted by the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.


The twenty-two boat J/70 fleet was simply blessed with classic, amazing Biscayne Bay sailing conditions all three days of the event. Starting off with two days of planing conditions in northerly winds, the smiles painted onto everyone's faces was palpable...pure joy as teams loved the good breeze, sunny weather, and turquoise waters of the Bay!

An incredible nine races were run by the Biscayne Bay YC Race Committee and PRO team, helping out that process was the quick mark reset capabilities of the tres-cool MARK-SET-BOT buoys of the windward marks and gates!


In the end, the most remarkable performance came from the well-known cast of characters from upstate New York; winning with style and grace was Travis Odenbach's HONEYBADGER team that consisted of Andy Horton, Geoff Becker, and Danny Lawless. They eclipsed a truly star-studded fleet that was deeply laden in talent, leaving multiple World, European, North American Champions in their wake. On their way to the top of the podium, they collected an outstanding record of four 1sts, two 2nds, and two 4ths to count only top five finishes for 16 pts net. 


For the third straight time, it was Ryan McKillen's SURGE crew of Jeff Reynolds, Lucas Calabrese, and Sam Loughborough that took the silver. They put up a good fight but could not match the sheer consistency of the HONEYBADGER gangsters.  Like their colleagues, they also posted all top five finishes, including two race wins, to end with 22 pts net. 


Rounding out the podium was World Champion Joel Ronning's team on CATAPULT that consisted of Jud Smith (another J/70 World champ), Kris Stoke, and Patrick Wilson. Winning two races and taking three 2nds, they were virtually tied for the lead with just two races to go in the series.  However, a lighter air, shiftier day for the finale proved to be their undoing, posting an uncharacteristic 9-8 to close out the regatta and dropping to the bronze step on the podium. Rounding out the top five were John Brim's RIMETTE in fourth place and Vernon Robert's Chilean crew on MORENITA.

Winning the Corinthians Division was Zach Segal's USA 1154 with crew of Ashton Hamerlin, Enrique Quintero, and Blake Cabasa. Second was the Brazilian crew on CLOUD NINE with Toribio Tedin as skipper and team of Emilio Miguel, and Javier & Enrique Dillon. Sailing photo credits- Bacardi / Mattias Cappizano.  For more Bacardi J/70 Invitational Regatta sailing information 
 

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DEJA VOODOO Eclipses J/105 Midwinters

(Seabrook, TX)- The J/105 Midwinter Championship returned to the calendar this year as twelve teams competed at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX from March 11-14. Over the three-day regatta, the fleet enjoyed truly amazing Texas-style hospitality and pretty amazing sailing conditions- warm, breezy, and moderately choppy waters on Galveston Bay.


After the first day it was abundantly clear that one team must've consumed several spinach cans of Popeye's "whupass", flexed their muscles, and completely smoked the fleet. Starting first and never looking back. the DEJA VOODOO team left everyone in their wake as they peeled off all bullets on the first day. The second and third day of racing never saw them take their foot off the gas, keeping it "firewalled" and reeling off a bunch more bullets.  In the end, Bill Zartler's team on DEJA VOODOO may have been surprised at their own incredible record, counting all bullets after tossing a 2nd place in the eight race/ one-drop series...just 7 pts net!  


The Vice-champion of the last J/105 North American Championship in Marblehead, MA- FINAL FINAL- was put into the unenviable position of playing chase the entire regatta. Accumulating five deuces and the only bullet not taken by DEJA VOODOO, Ken Horne's team on FINAL FINAL sailed to a clear second place with 14 pts net.

Completing the podium in the bronze position was Uzi Ozeri's BONBON, they closed with a 3-5 on the last day for all top ten finishes and 32 pts net.

Rounding out the top five was John Barnett's PESTO with 35 pts net in fourth position and Mark Smith's EAU LA LA took 5th with 36 pts net.  For more J/105 Midwinter Championship regatta sailing information
 

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Successful UNIFI CAPITAL J/80 Offshore Regatta!

(Chennai, India)- The Unifi Capital Offshore Regatta, was held from the 11th to 14th March 2021 with a race between Chennai and Puducherry which are 160 kms apart in the Bay of Bengal in South India. Four J/80 class sail boats competed with teams- INWTC from Indian Navy, EMESA from Indian Army, VCS from Royal Madras Yacht Club and PSA from Pondycherry Sailing Association.

The event was the first offshore Regatta in India complying with OSR Cat 3 requirements and was organized by Royal Madras Yacht Club under the authority of the Yachting Association of India, the apex sailing body. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy provided support and logistics for a safe event. World renowned sailors consented to participate in the event to get the press and media interested. Commander Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world in a sailboat and Lt. Cdr Vartika Joshi, the naval officer who captained the all-women team which circumnavigated the globe.

Event organizer Capt. Vivek Shanbhag said that for the first-time satellite trackers were used for continuous coverage. The website was given wide publicity for tracking the race in real-time on smart phones and laptops.


The first leg had VCS leading from the beginning. Over the next 8 hours as the sun was setting, VCS was about 500 meters ahead of INWTC and about 3 kms behind were EMESA leading by a km over PSA. The race was a close reach with calm seas and 10 knots SW winds. Being a new moon, the sky was bright with a million stars and boats had to keep watch over the many fishing boats dotting the seas. In the last 2 kms the winds dropped to 4 knots and VCS was trying to spot the race committee vessel at the finish line among the numerous fishing boats with similar lights. Meantime INWTC hoisted their kite and narrowed the margin and got a slim lead over VCS. By the time VCS hoisted their kite, the winds dropped further, and the boats moved in slow motion with INWTC finishing 3 minutes ahead. Similarly, PSA bringing the rear managed to pip EMESA by a minute at the finish line. After 14 hours racing the finish was an absolute thriller!  

After a good, long nights sleep, the next day saw the fleet prepare to sail the return leg to Chennai. The second leg had a wind change and was 10 knots from NE with the boats sailing a long beat to windward. VCS tacked and headed deep into the sea, with the other three teams hugging the coast. INWTC managed a comfortable lead of about 90 minutes over the next 10 hours and the next three boats finished within 4 minutes of each other! VCS, which was lagging behind by a huge margin of 5 kms, managed to continuously trim their sails and finished second. The last boat took about 16 hours. It was yet another nail-biting finish, an event rarely heard of in offshore racing.

As a result, the cumulative results of the two legs saw INWTC win with two bullets, followed by VCS with two 2nds, and a tie for third place between PSA and EMESA!
 

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ARBITRAGE Circles Fleet in J/105 "Pi" Doublehanded Race

(San Francisco, CA)- J/105 Fleet #1 continues to have fun organizing their own one-design doublehanded racing on San Francisco Bay. With races easily started and finished just off Golden Gate Yacht Club, and with a few hundred navigational buoys to choose from on Bay charts, it's easy to tailor a race course to the forecasted breezes and tides for the day. Here's Bruce Stone and Nicole Breault's report from aboard ARBITRAGE on the inaugural "Pi" Doublehanded Race held on 3.14.21 (get it? LOL). 

"The wind was uncharacteristically from the south, around 8-10 kt, so the PRO set us on a reaching course from the Golden Gate YC's X Buoy against the 2-3 kt flood tide out to Pt. Bonita buoy and back.


We had an ultra-cautious start (not our usual, of course). We were a bit late at the start, as we decided to hoist the big asym spinnaker before the gun and allowed a generous amount of space so as to not risk being over-early.  

Most of the other boats started ahead of us and then jib-reached up along the shore to avoid the flood and what appeared to be lighter air.

By contrast, we felt the extra sail area would allow us to plow ahead on the rhumb line, and that proved to be the winning formula against the adverse current. We were in much more breeze and we were well-ahead by the time the others hoisted their spinnakers.  

We then nearly stopped dead when passing the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge and running into both its wind shadow and a 4-5 knot flood...reducing our VMG to around 1.5 kt! We persisted and poked through to some relief.  


We were then knocked toward the north shore of the entrance channel, but did not mind that as we expected early ebb, which proved to be true.  As we got closer to the lee shore (on the north side of the channel), we were headed some more and dropped the kite, but then lifted back up to the mark and benefited from the ebb.  

After passing Pt. Bonita, we were still way ahead of the fleet. However, we couldn't locate the mark! We suspect it had been pulled for maintenance!! Oops!  

We called our competitors on the radio and asked if any of them could find the mark.  We then suggested they should round our spot (GPS coordinates) and race to the finish.  Everyone agreed, and we then turned for a pleasant close-reach and then a beat home to the finish.  It was notable that two of the teams, RUSSIAN ROULETTE and AKULA, had young crew on board. Nicole had baked some fruit pies and awarded them to the second and third place finishers, AKULA and AQUAVIT."  Sailing photo credits- Don Weineke.
 

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J/Community

What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide

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J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world here.  



Beautiful customized 1990 J/44 Available for Sale. Southern Cross has an extensive inventory and has been meticulously maintained, spending most of her time sailing summers on Long Island Sound and fully winterized for the long winter seasons in New York.   Learn more about this custom J/44 McMichaels Yacht Brokerage listing here


* Learn about the Storm Trysail Club Offshore Sailing Leadership Symposium
The Storm Trysail Club Released its Offshore Sailing Leadership Symposium Report Detailed Report, including a 70 Minute Video Recap of November 2020 Event. Read the report here- https://stormtrysail.org/reports/osls2020/

Last November, the Storm Trysail Club Seamanship Committee virtually gathered 90 accomplished leaders from within - and outside - the sailing world for its Offshore Sailing Leadership Symposium. World-class sailors, military officers, mountaineers, Merchant Marine officers, public health experts, and business executives worked together to better understand and promote a culture of safety and leadership in offshore sailing and to recommend improvements to Safety at Sea training and education. Their collective achievements include America’s Cup campaigns, summiting Mount Everest, commanding a US Navy nuclear submarine, solo and crewed circumnavigations, and combating Ebola and Covid-19.

“Until recently, the concept of ‘Leadership’ has been largely ignored while the use of safety-related equipment and specific maneuvers - such as recovering crew overboard - have been emphasized. Yet, Leadership is the glue that holds it all together,“ explained Event Chair Rich du Moulin.  “Good leadership minimizes the chance of a dangerous situation, and when something does go wrong offshore, good leadership maximizes the chance for a satisfactory outcome.  This comprehensive analysis includes observations and recommendations for leadership that have terrific applicability to handling challenges in business and other non-sailing situations.”

Principal findings coming out of the seminar include:

• The Skipper/Owner is Ultimately Accountable
• The Implications of Leading with High Character
• Insights on Selecting and Training the Team
• Critical Processes for Planning and Preparation
• Methods of Ensuring Clear Roles and Responsibilities
• The Effects of Ego on Teamwork
• Positive Impacts of Open Communication
• Error Chain Recognition and Maintaining Situational Awareness
• Benefits of Adjusting Goals and Plans as Conditions Require
• The Importance of Remaining Calm in an Emergency
• How Maintaining Optimism is Key to Positive Results
• Never Giving Up!

The 52-page report (https://stormtrysail.org/reports/osls2020/) includes links to reference material, as well as a number of personal sea stories that bring to life actual crises, and the attendant learnings.  Particular attention is paid to recommendations on how best to develop leadership qualities in young sailors and identifying leaders among crews. 
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J/Newsletter- March 3rd, 2021

The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide

It is going to be an exciting weekend for sailors in Monaco as J/70 teams flock to the principality for the annual first rites of spring, the opening regatta for the Mediterranean sailing season- the Primo Cup- Trophy Credit Suisse in Monte Carlo. On America's west coast, offshore sailors are looking forward to their start of the offshore season in southern California- the annual Islands Race sailing off San Diego, CA.

Last weekend, two fun events took place on opposite coasts in the USA. On the east coast, the J/24 class celebrated their first major regatta since the pandemic shutdown last March 2020. Nearly 30 boats enjoyed spectacular Biscayne Bay spring sailing conditions over three days, enjoying ten races in all!  Then, on San Francisco Bay out west, the Singlehanded Sailing Society held their popular Corinthian Race for 180 teams sailing in both Singlehanded and Doublehanded divisions. 

In the J/Community section, there is a report from the J/121 WINGS about their experience in the SORC Islands in the Stream Series and we also got a report from the Indian J/80 Class and the Royal Madras Yacht Club!
 

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Primo Cup- Trophy Credit Suisse Preview

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- Launched in 1985 at the instigation of HSH Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s President, the Primo Cup has established itself as the big meeting that opens the season in the Mediterranean for Europe’s one-design elite. In the past, more than 450 sailors on 100 boats in six classes have descended on Monaco to celebrate this great classic.

Because of the infamous pandemic, the 2021 edition will see fairly radical, substantive changes to the event in order to comply with current guidelines for safety. 

The YC Monaco decided to adapt by maintaining this regatta with a reduced format which allows local crews to sail in compliance with current health measures. Only two classes, both of which are very active in the Principality, will be competing from Friday 5th March with the first warning signal at 12 noon for the J/70s. As every year, thanks to the support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three boats in each class of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse will receive garments from the Italian supplier’s technical range.
 
In the interests of fair-play for the many international teams who usually descend on Monaco for the winter season, the results of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, which would normally also be the last act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, will not count towards the final ranking for 2021. Only results from Act 1 in January (14-17) and Act 2 in February (4-7) will count.

With an eye towards the 2022 J/70 World Championship hosted by YC Monaco, there are many highly experienced crews that are training in the local waters. 

One of the top Italian teams is Claudia Rossi's PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES, current J/70 European Champions. They face tough competition from local sailors such as YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-spot), Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione). Loic Pompee's SAILING RACING TEAM, and Roberto Stefano's PICCINNA. As always with YCM regattas, young sailors from the YCM Club’s Sports Section also have an opportunity to pit their wits against the best on J/70s.  For more YC Monaco Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse sailing information
 

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Islands Race Preview

(San Diego, CA)- San Diego Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Islands Race is making its way to the starting line on March 5th, 2021. Returning to the sea for its 11th edition running, this signature event is expecting over thirty boats to race from Long Beach, California, around offshore landmarks Santa Catalina Island and San Clemente Islands, and then to finish off Point Loma in San Diego. 

For many, the Islands Race kicks off the start of the 2021 Offshore Racing Calendar and doubles as a shakedown for the Newport Harbor Yacht Club Cabo Race or, on alternate years, San Diego Yacht Club's Puerto Vallarta Race. 

With the race only involving one night at sea, it works as the perfect opportunity to gain offshore experience.  Answering that call are a number of adventurous west coast J/Teams. In the seven-boat ORR-EZ class are two J/111s (Ed Sanford's CREATIVE and Doug Jorgensen's PICOSA) and Paul Stemler's J/44 PATRIOT. Then, in the five-boat ORR 3 Class is Standish Fleming's J/125 NEREID.  Sailing photo credits- Bronny Daniels/ Joysailing.com.  For more Islands Race sailing information
 

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San Diego Starts NOOD 2021 Series!

(Newport, RI)- For nearly three decades, the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta national series kicked off in St. Petersburg, FL, in February, but a shift in the 2021 calendar will put Southern California sailing front and center with the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta San Diego, March 19 to 21.

With experienced race management teams at co-hosts San Diego Yacht Club and Coronado Yacht Club, competitive sailors in the region can expect top-quality races on San Diego Bay for the regatta’s smaller boats, as well as the deeper waters off Coronado for larger keelboats. As the first major regatta of the SoCal spring sailing season, the annual event will be a draw for local and visiting teams keen to freshen their skills from the long offseason of 2020.
 
For Helly Hansen, the regatta series’ seven-year title sponsor, the San Diego stop is a welcome beginning to the new sailing year. While the usual after-racing social events will not be held, organizers are keen to provide the best possible experience on the water.
 
“At Helly Hansen we make gear for professionals to feel and stay alive, and that’s also true for all the sailors of the NOOD Regattas,” says Helly Hansen Watersports Marketing Manager, Jenny Daudlin. “While 2020 was a challenging year, Helly has continued to bring along innovative new styles. There were some cool pieces in 2020 that people didn’t get to see, so we’re looking forward to reconnecting with the sailors in different ways and providing them the best gear possible to enjoy their time on the water safely.”
 
One trend that emerged through 2020 was the popularity of day-race formats that require fewer crew members. This movement is also fueled by the expectation of a two-person offshore discipline being added to the 2024 Games. In response to this rising demand for shorthanded races, NOOD Regatta organizers, in partnership with North Sails, added the North Sails Doublehanded Distance Race on Saturday, March 20. This daytime challenge will send competitors racing a variety of boats on one long course spanning San Diego Bay and offshore near Point Loma.


Rudy Hasl, of San Diego, is one of the early registrants for the North Sails Doublehanded Race and says he’s looking forward to skippering his J/145 around the course— with the sole assistance of his long-time bowman, Anthony Garcia.
 
“I’m really glad they’ve added this race to the regatta,” Hasl says. “Doing the typical windward/leeward buoy races all day can be tough on the crew and the sails. So, I like this format, as it offers plenty of excitement for me.”
 
Hasl, 78 years young, raced doublehanded extensively when he lived in the Pacific Northwest. Now a full time SoCal resident, he says San Diego is just as challenging a venue to race, especially a boat the size of his J/145 PALAEMON.  
 
“We’re going to try our best to play it safely and carefully,” Hasl says, noting that he and Garcia will be using specialized sails that are easier for two people to handle. “This is the first time we’ll have doublehanded this particular boat. Anthony is a super bowman because he has his way of checking the lines are run correctly. The boat is set up in a way that I can tail halyards from the back while steering.”
 
Their biggest challenge, he says, may be keeping the boat’s massive spinnaker sail from ever touching the water. “We’ve sailed with it and I have a sense of what’s involved in the process and think we can control the beast,” Hasl says. “The key with doublehanded racing is just doing things slowly and deliberately.”

Joining them in the Doublehanded class is Steve Driscoll's J/105 JUICED!

So far, the two one-design classes are showing good participation. The J/24s have five boats entered and the J/105s are up to a dozen already! Sign up now and join in on the fun!  For more San Diego NOOD Regatta sailing information and registration
 

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Sailing Calendar

Mar 4-7- J/70 Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse- Monte Carlo, Monaco
Mar 5-7- J/111 Key West Winter Series- Key West, FL
Mar 5-6- Islands Race- San Diego, CA
Mar 10-13- J/70 Bacardi Cup- Miami, FL
Mar 11-14- J/105 Midwinters- Seabrook, TX
Mar 18-21- J/22 Midwinter Championship- New Orleans, LA
Mar 19-21- San Diego NOOD Regatta- San Diego, CA
Mar 19- NHYC Cabo Race- Newport Beach, CA
Mar 25-28- SAIL 22 J/70 Invitational- Coconut Grove, FL
Mar 26-28- St. Thomas International Regatta- St. Thomas, USVI
Mar 29- Apr 4- BVI Spring Regatta- Road Town, Tortola, BVI
Apr 2-4- St Petersburg NOOD Regatta- St Petersburg, FL
Apr 8-11- Charleston Race Week- Charleston, SC
Apr 30- May 2- Annapolis NOOD Regatta- Annapolis, MD
Apr 30- May 2- J/111 North American Championship- Annapolis, MD
May 9-15- J/70 North American Championship- Annapolis, MD 

For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
 

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JESUS LIZARD Crowned J/24 Midwinter Champion

(Miami, FL)- This past weekend from February 26th to 28th, the USA J/24 class held their J/24 Midwinter Championship in Miami, Florida, with the Shake-A-Leg Foundation as their host at their facility on the Miami waterfront. The twenty-nine J/24 teams from across the country were blessed with simply amazing weather for the entire three days of the regatta. In fact, the regatta PRO managed to run ten races, much to the delight of all sailors.

After a slow start on the first day, winning the event in convincing fashion was John Mollicone's JESUS LIZARD crew of Paul Abdullah, Mike Marshall, Nick Turney, and Dan Borrer. Here is how it all went down, thanks to reporting from class director Chris Howell.  

Day One- Friday- Gorgeous Start!    

The event kicked off with four races completed. Teams reveled in the pristine conditions on Biscayne Bay with winds at 8-10 knots, sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s. Carter White on WIND MONKEY (crew of Marcus Rogers, Chris Lombardo, Kelly Franklin-Colby, & Molly White) shot out to the early advantage with 1-2-1-4 finishes for 8 points. Mollicone's JESUS LIZARD stood in second place with 16 points with a 3-3-9-1 tally. Floridian Robby Brown’s ANGEL OF HARLEM (crew of Richard Shellow, Steve Lowery, Kevin Ratigan, & Beaujeaux Delapouyade) finished third with a 11-1-10-6 tally of 28 points. 

White’s WIND MONKEY earned their first bullet of the day in race one, ahead of James Freedman’s MISS CONDUCT and Mollicone’s JESUS LIZARD. Brown’s ANGEL OF HARLEM grabbed the next win, with White and Mollicone again cracking the top three. Trailing White’s second victory in race three were Nadia Daggett’s MUSTACHE RIDE and Val Shestopalov’s VICTORIA. Mollicone secured his silver position for the day with a victory in Friday’s final battle, followed by Aidan Glackin’s MENTAL FLOSS and Freedman.

Day Two- Saturday- Perfect Weather, Again!

The teams again enjoyed ideal conditions on Biscayne Bay. With breeze between 10-15 knots, blue skies and above-average temperatures, four more races went in the books, bringing the total to eight (now including a discard). 

Able to drop a ninth from Friday, Mollicone’s JESUS LIZARD now counted only top three finishes for 17 net points and the lead, heading into the final two scheduled races Sunday. Day one leader WIND MONKEY continued solid scores, but dropped to second with 23 net points. Travis Odenbach’s HONEYBADGER joined Mollicone in placing among the top three in all of Saturday’s races to move into third overall with 30 net points.

Gilberto Rivera’s URAYO team (Jaime Balzac, Pablo Mendez, Melvin Gonzalez, & Efrain Logo) from Puerto Rico rocked the day with three bullets. The first came in the opening race in a duel they won with Odenbach and Mollicone. Odenbach and Mollicone moved up to first and second in the next contest, with Kirk Reynold’s TYRUS in third. Rivera’s second victory came in race seven, again with Mollicone and Odenbach staying at the front of the fleet. Mirroring how the day began in the last match, Rivera, Odenbach and Mollicone comprised the top spots.

Day Three- Sunday- Yet Another Glam Day!

The final day saw two scheduled races take place in more of the same glam conditions of the previous two.  After taking 2nd in the first race, Mollicone's JESUS LIZARD crew sailed home to celebrate their good fortunes! Taking up that opportunity, Odenbach's HONEYBADGER won the last two races to seal the deal for the silver medal. The WIND MONKEY crew experienced a bit of misfortune on their last day, posting a DSQ and 17th to drop to fourth place. Sailing solidly was Rivera's Puerto Rican team on URAYO that posted a 3-4 to excitedly jump onto the bronze step on the podium...their best finish ever in the USA J/24 Midwinters! Rounding out the top five was Brown's ANGEL OF HARLEM in fifth place. Sailing photo credits- Chris Howell/ JCA.  For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information
 

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Fun & Frolic for SSS Corinthian Race

(San Francisco, CA)- Last weekend, the Singlehanded Sailing Society of San Francisco Bay held one of their more revered races of the year- the Corinthians Race.  Answering that siren's call were 180 intrepid souls that are gleefully showed up in the early morning to take their stab at winning their respective classes. 

Starting and finishing off Golden Gate Yacht Club, the 15.5nm course rounds Blackaller Buoy to starboard, Southampton Shoal red bell to port, Little Harding green buoy to port, Blossom Rock green bell to starboard, then to GGYC finish on the waterfront. Basically, the course is criss-crossing the Bay in a circumnavigation of all the tourist sites! 

The two-plus dozen shorthanded J/Crews made the most of the light to medium, very challenging conditions on San Francisco Bay.  In PHRF C Doublehanded J/105s the winners were Bruce Stone and Nicole Breault's ARBITRAGE. Pushing them hard all race was the duo of Charles James & Panda Love's ROXANNE to take the silver. Rounding out the podium was Tom Struttmann & Joerg Esdorn's ARRIVED!  

In Class 6 J/70 Doublehanded, the fleet suffered a trouncing at the hands of the dynamic duo of Justin & Shar Foox on FLOTEK, winning by over a half hour on elapsed time.  Second was Peter Cameron & Ben Mercer's KANGAROO JOCKEY and third was Scott & Hannah Sellers' 1FA. 

The thirteen-boat PHRF H Doublehanded Spin class was a tough group. Taking five of the top seven were all J/duos.  Third was Ted Rogers & Tim Burks on the J/100 GRACE. They were followed by Barry Lewis & Scott Kozinchik's J/120 CHANCE in 4th, Nesrin Basoz & Reuben Rocci's J/111 SWIFT NESS in 5th, Tracy Rogers & Cris Sena's J/120 HOKULANI in 6th, and Timo Bruck & Elaine Scott's J/120 TWIST in 7th place. 

The seventeen-boat PHRF L Class Doublehanded Non-Spin saw Brian Richards & Ernie Baton's J/109 LA VIAJERA take fourth position.

Finally, the fourteen-boat PHRF P Class Singlehanded Non-Spin saw John Kalucki's J/109 LINDO take fourth place. Sailing photo credit- Will Keyworth.  For more SSS Corinthian Race sailing information
 

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J/Community

What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide

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J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world here.  


Gorgeous J/46 for sale! The J/46 is a timeless performance yacht! The 46 is a joy to cruise, sail & race... the original owner of this 46 has kept her in excellent condition, with full cherry interior and recent Awlgrip. Learn more here from the McMichaels Yacht Brokerage listing.

J/121 WINGS SORC report

We had a chance to catch up with Bill Wiggins and Ashley Maltempo, co- owners of J/121 WINGS. They sailed the SORC Islands in the Stream Series this past winter and ended up finishing third place overall!

According to Bill, "my faith in the boat went up significantly after the head banging we got in the heaviest weather race we had in the series- the Miami to Eleuthera Race. It was a tough race for everyone, and the fleet experienced upwards of 20-30 kts once onto the Bahamas Bank. The race was 90% upwind or fetching on starboard tack, then at top of Eleuthera Island, it became a long, brutal slog on port tack down the eastern side of island in huge, confused seas of 6 to 8-footers! The last fifteen miles were in flat water. Wow, what fun! With winds gusting to 25 kts, we flew the A2 asymmetric spinnaker, driving deep as possible and we maintained a steady 15-16 kts over the water! 

When fetching, the windward water ballast tanks were full, and we were using a double-head rig- the #3 jib with the storm jib inside as a genoa staysail. Depending on the breeze, we'd adjust the main for power, putting in a single slab reef and taking it off when we could. 

The first race of the series- the Nassau Race- was transformed into a big loop because of the Bahamas covid-19 restrictions. Basically, we were criss-crossing the Gulf Stream from Miami to the Bahamas Banks buoys and back.  We saw everything in that race. I think we used all of our sails in winds from 0 to 20 kts, all in 24 hours! 


The second race was fun and quick. The Palm Beach Race is simply a sprint and it took us just 12 hours to go from Miami north to Palm Beach, the Gulf Stream giving us a good kick north of several knots- quite the escalator that thing is!

We were excited about the classic Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race.  But, our hopes diminished as we realized we might be swatting flies the whole way down. Here's how bad it was for the 165.0nm race; we started at 11:00am on Thursday and finished at the crack of dawn on Saturday around 6:30am...it was a super light race, and we must've gybed at least 50-times.

The fourth and final race was important because you had to count it, it was a no throw-out race. In the end, the series was an amazing experience, and we learned a lot about the boat."


When pressed about some of their more memorable experiences in the series, Bill mentioned that their highest speed in any of the races was in the Eleuthera Race, topping out at 16.5 kts in flat water doing dead downwind. But he mentioned that their fastest speed to date was on their delivery from Charleston down to Miami to start the SORC Islands in the Stream Series. Using their Dacron delivery main and Dacron #3 jib, they were flying downwind on a broad reach in the Gulf Stream in a big northeast breeze- gusting up to 35 kts. Top speed? 25.9 knots! 

Bill spoke enthusiastically about his crew that included Greg Fisher (former College of Charleston Sailing Director) and Reed Baldridge. 

Next up for the J/121 WINGS crew is the Annapolis- Newport Race, then Block Island Race Week, and the Storm Trysail Club's Stamford-Vineyard Race.

Greetings from Royal Madras Yacht Club, India!

Capt. Vivek Shanbhag, the Vice Commodore of the Royal Madras YC, and passionate J/80 sailor provided us a quick report of what's happening with the nascent J/80 class in India. Commented Capt. Shanbhag:

"The Royal Madras YC was established in 1910, is located inside the Chennai Port, and has been popularizing sailing in South India.

We have a small fleet of five J/80s and I have been actively pushing keelboat sailing for years.

Our sailors have participated at the J/80 Asian Championship in China in 2018 and 2019 having ranked 5th and 4th, respectively. 

We had 3 RMYC teams participating at the J/80 World's 2019 in Spain and it was a very good exposure with overall ranking around 55th in a fleet of 80 boats.

In India, we do not have a J/80 Class Association. We have a total of five J/80s in India and plan to have our J/80 Class Association shortly.

J/80 Offshore Event
Apart from the usual races we conduct, for the first time we are conducting an Offshore event between two cities- Chennai and Puducherry, which are 160 kms apart. The event is from 10th March to 14th March 2021.

With the prevalent winds, it should take us about 24 hours each way. 

We want to scale it up and I have been working hard with different agencies. An Indian Navy vessel will be escorting us, the Indian Coast Guard is giving Search and Rescue coverage, and we can scramble a helicopter in 30 minutes.

Satellite tracking for continuous coverage is also being provided. A log-in id and password will be published and the race can be tracked from anywhere in the world. The AIS is a challenge and expensive, but we should be able to have them too. We are looking forward to a fun and challenging event for our J/80 fleet! Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Newsletter- November 11th, 2020

It was a fascinating combination of events that were sailed this past week around the world. While several notable events were again canceled, like the French J/80 National Championship, the ones that did take place featured fun, challenging sailing.

Perhaps the most breathtaking turnout happened to be in China. The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's annual 26.0nm Hong Kong Round Island Race had an impressive entry list of 227 boats from 14 classes including 7 one-design classes. The fleet included a J/70, J/80 one-design class, and handicap racing for a J/105, J/111, J/122E, J/111, and J/145. Lots of silver won by these J/Teams!

Off to their west, Russia's J/70 class had their TENZOR CUP by PROYachting finale at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia for the best J/70 teams in their vast country. It was the fourth and final regatta of that series that started in Moscow and went to the Konakovo River Club, Pirogovo, and closed in Sochi.

Headed still further west, the Spanish J/80 class started their first of three weekends racing in the Trofeo MRS Seguros de Cruceros series off Santander, Spain and hosted by the Real Club Maritimo de Santander. The dozen boat fleet has four J/80 World Championship titles amongst them...yikes!

Finally, going way, way west to the USA west coast, we find San Diego YC's infamous Hot Rum Series take place for an enthusiastic group of J/Sailors. Needless to say, not only did J/105 win the first race overall, it seemed like the whole J/105 class dominated overall in a fleet that also included a J/111, J/125, and three J/145s!
 

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Hudson River Community Sailing J/80s Featured on NBC-TV 3rd Hour Show!

(New York, NY)- The NBC Today Show 3rd Hour ran a piece on Sadia Zaman- a 4th year student at the Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) program, located at Chelsea Piers (near Hudson Yards) on the west side of New York city.  


See how this after school program in New York City teaches S.T.E.M. principles of science, technology, engineering, math and life skills through the sport of sailing! An enjoyable and insightful video of the HRCS program and how it has had life-changing impacts on kids lives in the greater NYC area.  For more J/80 one-design class sailboat information.  Watch NBC's Today Show 3rd Hour feature here.
 

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Marblehead to Halifax Race 2021 Announcement

(Marblehead, MA)- Skipper John “Drew” Plominski is hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice. Plominski, whose boat was destroyed by lightning two years ago, was first in line to register for the 39th biennial Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean race to take place this coming summer.

"We’re thrilled to see Drew back for another try,” said Richard Hinterhoeller, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron co-race director. Registration is now open for 2021, and we are expecting a robust fleet to compete."

Plominski’s 30-foot vessel, named Perseverance, was just about ready for the 2019 edition. Along with his wife and three friends, he planned to compete in the 363-mile biennial race to Nova Scotia in 2019.

The South Boston resident left his boat moored at the Columbia Yacht Club the night before the big race and was at his house, just a couple of blocks away, when he heard the loud noise that sounded like a boom and a crack, he said. 

“It was nuts,” Plominski remarked at the time, as he went down to inspect his boat.  “All the electronics were completely fried,” he said. As a result, it forced him to withdraw from the 2019 race.

His new boat is a J/40 named ARTEMISIA. He competed in the 2020 Beringer Cup race from Marblehead to Provincetown, MA. A good tune-up for the 363-mile race to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Marblehead-to-Halifax started in 1905 and has been held every other year, except during wartime. Called the “Grand Daddy of ocean races,” it's the premier New England coast sailing event.

The 2021 Notice of Race has been posted on the Marblehead to Halifax website at http://www.marbleheadtohalifax.com. According to BYC co-race director Karen Tenenbaum, “we think there is a lot of pent-up demand and sailors are anxious to get back on the water.”

The race is co-sponsored by the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron of Halifax. For more information, please contact Ed Bell at Boston YC- email: Edbell40@gmail.com   For more Marblehead to Halifax Race sailing information
 

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Changes for SORC "Islands in the Stream Series"

(Miami, FL)- The SORC (Southern Ocean Racing Circuit) winter plan for the 2020-21 Islands in the Stream Series in south Florida and the Bahamas has evolved due to COVID-19 restrictions. The event has seen growing popularity amongst enthusiastic offshore sailors in the J/Family. Over the past few seasons, a J/121, J/122, J/109, J/92, J/105, J/30, J/44, J/111, J/120, and J/130 have participated in some or all of the series.  Please see updates below.

2020-21 Islands in the Stream Series

• November 12, 2020: (REVISED) The 79th edition of the Nassau Cup Ocean Race, a 180 nm course from Miami to Nassau, leaving Great Isaac and Great Stirrup to starboard, is no longer possible due to current protocols in the Bahamas. Instead, an ocean race of approximately 178 nm will be held starting in and returning to Miami.   www.nassaucuprace.org

• December 5, 2020: (REVISED) The Wirth M Munroe Palm Beach Race, known as the “Race to the Buffett” to Sailfish Club of Florida’s legendary party, feast and awards presentation, is now a course from Lauderdale to Palm Beach and back.  www.sailfishclub.com/munroe

• January 21, 2021: The series then heads south for some "island time" with the Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race. The tropics in January provide the perfect spot to unwind with the Conch Grinder Race, and to enjoy the treasures and pleasures of Key West before the awards party at First Flight Island Bar and Restaurant (formerly Kelly’s Caribbean).  www.keywestrace.org

• February 17, 2021: It all wraps up with another trip to the Bahamas with the 2nd annual Eleuthera Race, starting off South Beach, Miami and finishing at the Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina.  www.eleutherarace.org   For more SORC Island in the Stream Series sailing information
 

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Transforming Interest in Offshore Sailing

(London, England)- J/Boats has long supported shorthanded sailing in its various forms since 1977, starting with the introduction of the J/24. Designer Rod Johnstone's most favorite form of sailing and racing has been doublehanded, either with his wife- Lucia- or nephew Clay Burkhalter. Rod has done numerous events offshore on Long Island and Block Island Sounds or doing the Bermuda One-Two event multiple times. To that end, virtually all designs at J/Boats have taken into account the desire to make J's easily sailed singlehanded or doublehanded by young and old alike and by men or women.  With the advent of the Olympics 2024 Mixed Doublehanded Offshore event, J/Boats has been supporting the efforts by World Sailing to promote shorthanded offshore sailing. 

Here's a recent interview with Matt Allen; currently the Vice-Chair of World Sailing’s Oceanic and Offshore Committee and a respected person in offshore sailing.

The Australian, who has raced in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 30 times, winning on three occasions, provides insight on how Offshore Doubles is growing and why offshore sailing is thriving:

WS: Give some insight on the scope of your committee’s work?
MA: The Oceanic and Offshore Committee at World Sailing brings together many of stake holders in the world of offshore sailing. The Committee assists in coordinating the calendar of events of all the major oceanic races such as the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race.

We are the final approval body for safety regulations for offshore sailing. This is an extremely important role, especially as we review major incidents and as technology allows improvements to safety outcomes.

Bringing standardization of measurement of a yacht for rating has been an important development. Much of our work in the last year has been focused on bringing mixed double handed sailing into the Olympic Games in 2024 and beyond.

WS: What evidence is there to suggest that Double Handed offshore sailing is growing so fast?
MA: Both global rating systems, namely ORC and IRC, have seen enormous interest and growth in their double handed certifications. Many of our races, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race here in Australia, have included double handed divisions into their races.

New boats are being designed and built and I see some very good yachts coming into this area over the next two years.

WS: What can we expect from the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race this year with regards to double handed participation?
MA: At this stage I understand that 25% of the entries are double handed. I think this percentage for the first year is underlying how popular this form of sailing might be in years to come.

WS: Mixed Offshore will feature at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. What can we expect from that event?
MA: To bring offshore sailing into the Olympics will be a sensational event for showcasing sailing as it will be the only event to go through the night-time over three days and two nights. It will be a live event in the natural environment, pushing people to the limit of sleep deprivation.

To bring an offshore race with a female and male onboard into the viewing public will transform interest in offshore sailing and create strong growth in our sport. Thanks for contribution from World Sailing.
 

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J/Gear HOLIDAY 20% OFF Specials!

(Newport, RI)- Believe it or not, it is just about time to get into the holiday spirit of things. The year-end is fast approaching and now is as good a time as any to give some thoughts to your holiday shopping for your crew, family, and friends.

We are offering a 20% discount on all orders excluding the following: J/Models, J/Prints and J/Calendars.

The discount code is- JB2020XS.  It will be effective October 1st through November 28th, 2020.

Attention J/Boat owners- because of the demand for customization, we encourage "early ordering" in an effort to meet holiday gift dates. 

NOTE- The J/Class logo of your choice can embroidered on the front. We can also customize with your detail. Perfect for the whole crew!  For more information and to buy now.
 

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Sailing Calendar

Nov. 21- Hot Rum Series II- San Diego, CA
Nov 28-30- Mundialito J/80 Regatta- Santander, Spain
Dec 1-6- J/70 South American Championship- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dec 4-6- J/22 Jammin Jamaica Regatta- Montego Bay, Jamaica
Dec 4- Wirth M Munroe Memorial Race- Palm Beach, FL
Dec 5- Hot Rum Series III- San Diego, CA 
 

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J/80 Trofeo MRS Seguros de Cruceros Series Starts

(Santander, Spain)- The Real Club Maritimo de Santander (RCMS) is hosting the 2020 edition of the Trofeo MRS Seguros for the Spanish J/80 class off Santander, Spain. Long a hotbed of J/80 talent, it's not surprising to see some of that local talent atop the series lead after the first weekend of sailing in the three-weekend series.

The fleet sailed in westerlies ranging from 275 to 295 all weekend long. Sailing the most consistent regatta so far is multi-J/80 World Champion Jose Maria "Pichu" Torcida with a 2-1-3-2 tally for 5 pts net.  Fellow club members of RCMS are currently filling up the podium. Sitting in second is David Madrazo with a 6-4-5-3 record for 12 pts net. And, rounding out the podium is Jaime Yllera Secades with a 3-7-6-5 scoreline for 14 pts net. 

More racing will take place for the extremely competitive fleet of a dozen boats from the greater Cantabrian region. For more J/80 one-design class sailboat information.  For more J/80 Trofeo MRS Seguros de Cruceros Series sailing information.
 

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ARTTUBE RUS-1 Wins TENZOR Cup by PROYachting J/70 Champion Series

(Sochi, Russia)- For the 2020 sailing season, PROYachting partnered with TENZOR Consulting Group to launch a new series that gathered together the best Russian sailing teams in the J/70 class. The regatta was run along the lines of the notable sailing leagues in Russia and across Europe. The event was composed of matched J/70 one-designs with new sails, professional refereeing, convenient locations, and of course the best sailors in all of Russia dueling for top honors. The series started in Moscow at the Royal Yacht Club, thereafter to the Konakovo River Club, then to Pirogovo, and then the finale in the famous Black Sea resort of Sochi.


After five races, winning the finale in Sochi was the DC Team, followed by Team ARMORED in second and Valeriya Kovalenko's familiar ARTTUBE RUS-1 Team in third. 

As a result, the ARTTUBE RUS-1 team of Ms. Kovalenko and crew of Sergey Avdonin, Igor Lisovenko, and Denis Rozhkov were declared the overall winners for the TENZOR CUP by PROYachting series! The team performed great at all four stages and deservedly took the overall championship. Congratulations! 


For the balance of the podium, taking the Silver was the DC Team skippered by the ever-competitive Denis Cherevatenko. And, taking the bronze was Team BARS skippered by yet another top Russian woman- Karen Stepanyan.  For more J/70 one-design class sailing information.  For more Russian J/70 Class sailing information
 

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J/Crews Sweep Classes in Hot Rum Series I

J/105s Eclipse Top Seven Overall!

(San Diego, CA)- The first weekend of San Diego Yacht Club's famous Hot Rum Series took place last weekend for a remarkably large fleet of boats, with 114 boats registered for the event. All across the board in a number of divisions, J/Teams had remarkable outcomes, with many dominating the podium.

Rudy Hasl, skipper and owner of the J/145 PALAEMON, had this to say, "it was an amazing day for the J/Family in San Diego. J/Boats finished 1st, 2d, and 3rd place in Division I of the first race of the Hot Rum Series in San Diego. We were thrilled!"

In fact, Rudy's J/145 PALAEMON won their Division I in the spectacular sailing conditions, with winds ranging from 12 to 25 knots inside of San Diego Bay! Flat water, with reaching, running and beating home to the finish. Taking second was Standish Fleming's J/125 NEREID and third went to another J/145- Ernie Pennell's MORE MADNESS. 

In Division 2, it was perennial winner Chuck Nichols' J/120 CC RIDER taking the honors, with Ed Sanford's J/111 CREATIVE finishing in 5th place. 

The so-called "J/105 class" sailing in Division 4 saw them leading a sweep of the top seven! Winning was Jim Dorsey's J-OK, followed by Jeff Brown's SWEET KAREN in second, and George Scheel's SUN PUFFIN in third to round out the podium. In addition, Steve & Lucy Howell's BLINK! took 4th, the duo of Vieregg/ Bermann was 5th, and Bill Quealy's J-RABBIT SLIM was 6th. Next in 7th place was Chuck Bowers' J/29 RHUMB RUNNER. That was quite a tour'de'force for J/sailors in a fleet of 21 boats.

In the overall results, the J/105s nearly swept the top five spots. Winning the J/105 fleet parade was Dorsey's J-OK, with Brown's SWEET KAREN in 3rd, Scheel's SUN PUFFIN in 5th, the Howell's BLINK in 6th place, and the Vieregg/ Bermann duo's ZUNI BEAR in 7th position.  Sailing photo credit- Mark Albertazzi   For more SDYC Hot Rum Series sailing information
 

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J/35 Dominates Hong Kong Round Island Race!

(Hong Kong, China)- Hong Kong’s biggest annual celebration of sail, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s annual Around the Island Race, a 26.0nm circumnavigation of Hong Kong Island, took place last weekend with an impressive entry list of 227 boats from 14 classes including 7 one-design classes, Sportsboats, HKPN, IRC, dinghies and beach catamarans.

Principal Race Officer David Norton set two start lines off of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Kellett Island Clubhouse with the line closest to Kellett Island used to start the one design boats and the outside line for HKPN, IRC and beach catamarans divisions. The race course took the fleet sailing around Hong Kong Island to starboard (clockwise).


The first start was at 0830 hrs with the Pandoras and HKPN Monohulls which set off in an easterly breeze varying 4 to 11 kts and there was a race start every five minutes until 1100hrs.

Before a majority of boats could get out of the harbour, a weak northerly breeze was blocked by Kowloon Peninsula leading to a huge fleet of yachts parking up at Lei Yue Mun gap due to the incoming tide. But, later the fleet was greeted with a northeasterly breeze of 8 kts near Shek O. As the fleet made their way around Stanley Head, it was a colorful sight to behold with hundreds of kites on the horizon and the breeze had built to 10 kts at the southern side of Hong Kong Island. 


As the day progressed, the wind softened by noon and the breeze was again blocked by Hong Kong Island and another wind hole developed around Ape Lei Chau. PRO David Norton noted that two HKPN boats were well ahead of the main fleet and it was a tough decision then as to whether or not to shorten the course. Norton said, ＂two fast boats started relatively early and were well ahead, so that limited our choices. By noon, we recorded good wind at Green Island so we made a risky decision to finish at Kellett Island so sailors could do a full circumnavigation.” 

The J/145 REDEYE, sailed by David Mitchell Paul Leese, took the silver in IRC 1.040-1.119 Class. They were followed by the J/122E JINN sailed by Nico Cohen-Addad in fourth place. Then, Steve Devlin's J/111 JUGGERKNOT finished 9th place. 


HKPN Overall winner and HKPN 1151-1220 Class winner was J/35 NO ONE ELSE sailed by Wing Hung Ng; they won by a considerable corrected time margin on the entire fleet.

In the Sportboats class, the J/70 DAZIBAO sailed by Andrew Ellis took the bronze.


Trouncing the sixteen-boat J/80 Class, by far the largest one-design keelboat class in the race, was the trio on JAMMIN- A. Segaud M. Dubreuil/ J. Ten Berge. Their round-island time was nearly an hour faster over the second place team- Alain Choi's POIEMA. However, it was a battle behind the JAMMIN team for the top five; all separated by less than seven minutes after 26.0 nm of racing.  Third went to Henry Wong's FOOTLOOSE, fourth to Claude Wong's JELIGNITE, and fifth to the duo of Fraser Boyd & Pete Lake on JOSS. A good showing was had by all.   Sailing photo credits- Guy Nowell/ Sailworld.com and Vivian Ngang.  For more Royal Hong Kong YC Round Island Race sailing information
 

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J/Community

What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide

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* Ched Proctor Interview- by Dave Powlison at Sailing World

[Ed. Note: Ched has known the Johnstone family for nearly four decades. First meeting was in Pewaukee, WI when Bob & Mary J. and Stu & Drake J. started sailing 470s in 1973 in Chicago, IL. At that time, Ched had just gotten a job working with the famous Finn Olympic Medallist, Peter Barret, at the North Sails loft in Pewaukee. Things were small back then, as the North Sails loft was actually part of the Harken Yacht Equipment building, as well as Harken's boat-building operation. Ched spent a lot of time with Peter and Olaf Harken. And, the Johnstone's spent a lot of time with Ched (and fellow Hingham, MA friend Chuck Millican) tinkering on 470s, learning how to make them go faster at various venues across the Midwest and Northeast, the most popular regions for 470s back in the day. In due course, once Bob and brother Rod J. co-founded J/Boats in 1977 with the J/24, Ched had also moved back to the northeast working for North Sails. In the first year of its existence, Ched was tasked with being the one-design guru for the J/24 class, as well as Vince Brun out West, and later five-time J/24 World Champion Kenny Read. Ched continued to work closely with the Johnstone clan with every new one-design product introduction since, including the J/22, J/70, and J/80- four of the world's largest one-design offshore keelboat classes.]

Herewith, Powlison's interview with our dear friend Ched:

With nearly a half-century of small-boat one-design racing and sailmaking in his wake, Ched Proctor is set in his ways, and his ways are fast.

In 1964, Ched Proctor had a serious case of the slows. He was 14 and competing in Turnabouts in Scituate, Massachusetts, just southeast of Boston. “I remember coming in to the dock and being very frustrated,” he says. There was Bill Mattern, high school teacher, part-time garage sailmaker and unofficial mentor for the junior racing crowd. Proctor asked him what he thought of his sail. Mattern studied it and quickly confirmed the young sailor’s suspicion.

Seventy-five dollars later, with a new sail in hand, Proctor headed for Quincy Bay Race Week. Though he hadn’t been that competitive in his local fleet, he mustered the courage to sign up for the championship division—and won it. With that victory came an epiphany—at least for a 14-year-old—that would determine the trajectory of his life: “I learned then that a sail with the right shape makes the boat go faster.”

Professionally, Proctor would go on to work almost 50 years with North Sails, taking him to lofts in Wisconsin, Australia, Germany and Connecticut. Competitively, he would roll up an unparalleled list of one-design North American and National titles, notching 17 major victories in the Lightning class alone, including that class’s 2018 and 2019 North American Championships. A lot of the one-design sails North Sails sells today were designed by Proctor.


The family sailing unit has always been tight with the Proctor clan, Ched and Judy Proctor and their sons Thomas and Charlie.

Proctor is a waterman who grew up on a bay in Weymouth, just south of Boston. He remembers, around age 5, spending time in an old, derelict rowboat in the backyard. “I pretended to row it using a couple of brooms,” he says. “It got to the point where I wore out the ground under the brooms and wore the bristles right off them. About that same time, my father tried to teach me how to sail and steer a boat upwind. I just couldn’t do it.” There’s a subtle shrug and hint of disappointment in his voice as he tells that story, and then concedes, “It seems that 7 is more the right age to learn that sort of thing.”  Read the rest of the article here at Sailing World:

*  Greg Fisher joins Sailing Inc. / Evolution Sails

Another long-time J/Sailor and has gone full circle in the sailing world. First having sailed Lightnings and working for Bill Shore at Shore Sails. Later, helping develop J/24 sails for Shore Sails, Greg Fisher notably took over College of Charleston's sailing program and turned it into a college sailing powerhouse. Now, he's back to sailmaking again!

Universally liked in the sport, Greg Fisher helps people enjoy sailing, and now will be taking his talents to the Sailing Inc. / Evolution Sails team (Sailing Inc is a J/Boats dealer in Ohio). Here’s their announcement:

Sailing Inc., a trusted provider of premium sailing and marine products, services and support, welcomes Greg Fisher as the Evolution Sails Loft Manager for the Sailing Inc. Charleston (SC) location.

Fisher, a Collegiate All-American, has won 25 National, North American or World Championships in 7 different one design classes and is an acclaimed expert in the sailing community for over 40 years. Fisher will head up our Sailing Inc. / Evolution Sails team in Charleston (SC) while working closely with locations in Cleveland (OH), Sandusky (OH), and St. Petersburg (FL).

Fisher will lead the administrative and business development functions of Sailing Inc. and Evolution Sails in Charleston, and help support the further development of the research, design and production of the Evolution Sails product lines. His extensive knowledge as a sailor, sailmaker and coach will grow Sailing Inc.’s capacity to provide expert level service and professional support across the United States.

Fisher will focus on building a stronger relationship between the sailor and the sailmaker, leveraging Evolution Sails championship-caliber sail design and production teams to deliver high-performance, long-lasting cruising and racing sails built by one of the world’s most innovative sailmakers.

“I am enthused to return to my sailing career ‘roots’ with my new position at Sailing Inc. / Evolution Sails,” said Fisher. “Sailmaking is where I started almost 45 years ago! To be able to pursue this new chapter with such a talented and passionate team at Sailing Inc., who share a strong customer focus is exciting.”

Fisher continues, “I’ve sailed with new sails from Evolution and am impressed with the high-performance design and superb quality of construction. I look forward to helping sell and promote this exceptional brand right here in Charleston and across the US. I am fired up to join the Sailing Inc. / Evolution Sails team effort to support all of Charleston’s sailing community!”

Fisher has been active in the sailing industry for over 40 years, starting with his own brand, Fisher Sails, in the late 1980s, and using that early success as a springboard to an accomplished 20-year career with North Sails One-Design.

Fisher spent 8 years as the Director of Sailing at the College of Charleston, where his teams collected Four Fowle Trophies for the “Best all-around sailing team in the Country”. He also presided over 39 All-Americans and Honorable Mentions and 10 Academic All-Americans.

He has long been supportive in the development of One-Design sailing within the United States and served on the Board of US Sailing and was chair of the One Design Class Council. Fisher was the former Chief Operating Officer of Olympic Sailing for US Sailing.

“We are, of course, very excited to have Greg joining the team,” said Rob Ruhlman (owner of the J/111 and J/88 SPACEMAN SPIFF). “Having literally grown up with Greg on and off the race course, I know his competitive spirit, work ethic, and knowledge of the industry. That experience combined with Sailing Inc/ Evolution Sails commitment to excellence will be a great benefit to the sailing community.”

Please reach out to Greg and welcome him to our team! Contact Greg here- email: greg.fisher@thesailinginc.com / cell: (410) 212-4916.

* Eight Bells – Dick Tillman

The entire J/Boats family was saddened by the news of Dick Tillman crossing the bar on October 15th, 2020.

Friend, colleague, competitor, and consummate gentleman Dick gave so much more to the sailing world than he ever took from it. Always quick with a kind word and generous with his time helping others, he was the “glue” that kept everyone and everything together.

In 1981, when the J/24 achieved International Status with 3,000+ boats in 25+ countries, the class leaders knew it was time to establish a professionally-managed class office. The key was finding an Executive Director who not only knew one-design, but who would also have the respect of the international sailing community. Even better if it were someone with the temperament to handle a multitude of strong personalities.

The J/24 Class had a lot in common with the Laser Class at the time. One of the first J/24 magazine reviews in 1977 (by Jack Knights) was titled “J/24– is this the Laser with a Lid?” The J/24 Class rules were inspired in part by the Laser Class– in particular the ultimate one-design rule- “unless these rules explicitly allow it, then it’s not allowed.” 

Nearly every other J/24 sailor at the time was an active Laser sailor – and enjoying the newly found luxury of sleeping in a comfortable berth at traveling regattas instead of a tent.

So, in September of 1981, the J/24 Class went big and hired Dick Tillman, the world’s most prolific Laser champion and author. Together with his partner-for-life and wife Linda (who predeceased Dick in 2017), Dick and Linda became the face of the International J/24 Class for 10 years through the J/24’s most prolific decade. 

While Dick handled the class business, Linda published the 100-page glossy J/24 Magazine twice per year. They were an unbeatable combination, a true sailing ‘power couple.’
 

Dick Tillman covering Rod Johnstone during the J/24 Legends Race in the Silver Anniversary Regatta in Newport, RI, sailed on Narragansett Bay.

Jeff Johnstone exclaimed, "I had read Dick’s first Laser book a dozen times and built his Laser hiking bench well before first meeting him in 1981. Then in 1984, we had a chance to sail together crewing for my father Rodney in the 1984 J/24 North Americans in Kingston, Ontario, followed by the 1984 Worlds in Poole, England. As only sailing can do, those two shared regatta experiences made friends-for- life and produced more stories that we’d repeat for the next 30+ years. But, my most memorable times with Dick and Linda were during the several long road trips from Rhode Island to Florida in the 80’s when we often stopped into Merritt Island, Florida. Dick and Linda would welcome us in for a meal and some much-needed rest and then send us on our way the next morning. They made you feel like part of the family, and we were, and they were part of ours."

The J/Boats community is forever richer by having had Dick and Linda Tillman such an integral part of its fabric. Fair winds and following seas to Dick and Linda, now sailing together again.   Dick’s tribute wall. Add to Flipboard Magazine.