What a difference a week or so makes in this crazy pandemic world. While the USA is having its issues state-to-state dealing with basic human behavioral dissonance or lack of cognitive perspicacity, the rest of the world seems to "get it" regards the pandemic guidelines to moving life forward in a responsible manner. Europe, in particular, seems to be doing well. As a result, the hugely popular J/70 sailing leagues programs have taken off again in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. The SAILING Champions League was reduced to one qualifier this year, due to the pandemic of course, and it was recently sailed in Tutzing, Germany for a field of eighteen teams. Then, the Swedish J/70 Sailing League premiere event in 2020 just took place in the picturesque harbor of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden for their eighteen sailing clubs. Just south of them on the Baltic Sea, the Danish J/70 Sailing League sailed their premier 2020 event off the harbor of Aarhus for their eighteen sailing clubs.Not to be outdone, the J/35's in Detroit (a.k.a. "Dah'Twah") had their version of a Rumble in the Jungle - Throw-Down Mo-Town style. North Star Sailing Club hosted the eight J/35's that showed up as they continue their amazing renaissance on the Great Lakes.
Out east in New England, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club hosted their annual Ida Lewis Distance Race, albeit with a few wrinkles thrown in. They added a big doublehanded class and also a "round the islands" race inside Narragansett Bay- rounding Conanicut, Prudence, and Patience Islands all to starboard (clockwise). Fun was had by all in the 20-30 kts of breeze from the north-northeast; thanks to the remnants of a North Atlantic hurricane (reduced to a tropical storm) lingering off to the east.
J/Fest Chicago Announcement(Chicago, IL)- Despite all odds against it happening, the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club is looking forward to host Chicago's first fully-autonomous one-design keelboat regatta- J/Fest Chicago!
The event is planned to take place August 29th to 30th, sailing out of Montrose Harbor, with racing taking place on the gorgeous azure blue waters of Lake Michigan. One-design classes that are invited include J/24, J/70, J/88, J/105, J/109, and J/111.
Thanks to regatta sponsors/ supporters such as MarkSetBot (the fully autonomous mark setting miracle), Stearns Boating, Evolution Sails, Skyway Yacht Works, and SAIL 22.com. For more J/Fest Chicago sailing and registration information
J/Cup U.K. Regatta Announcement
(Cowes, England)- The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup has attracted nearly 40 teams so far, for the 21st birthday of the regatta exclusive to the J/Boats family. Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, by invitation of Key Yachting, eight races are scheduled in The Solent over three days (September 3rd to 5th, 2020). The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup is a celebration of racing designed for all J/Boats, no matter the level of experience or ability.
The organizers have been hard at work to maintain safety of all involved, both ashore and afloat. All Competitors will be welcome at the RORC Cowes clubhouse during the event with daily social events, which will be restricted in number. The complimentary berthing at Cowes Yacht Haven is proving very popular.
The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup will feature one-design racing for at least three classes and IRC Racing Classes for mixed fleets. There will be both windward leeward courses and round the cans racing.
Seven different J/Boat designs are set to race with results decided by IRC time correction. This allows fair racing for J/Boats not racing in one-design classes. Nine teams are currently entered under IRC, including the 2018 J-Cup winner J/112E Davanti Tyres, skippered by Chaz Ivill.
Eleven J/70 teams from all over the UK have entered, including Paul Ward’s reigning J/70 Open World Champion; Eat, Sleep, J Repeat. Last year’s Cowes Week winner, Jolt steered by Tilly Harrison and Charles Thompson’s Primo Cup winner Brutus, will also be in action.
Eight J/109s have entered including proven winners and all of last year’s podium. John Smart’s Jukebox is defending J/109 National Champion and will face stiff competition from last year’s runner up, Simon Perry’s Jiraffe. Third last year was the 2017 J/109 National Champion, David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish.
The J/111 Class will be out in force with nine teams entered including last year’s winner and J/111 National Champion Tony Mack’s McFly. The 2018 J/111 National Champion will also be racing, Chris Jones and Louise Makin's Journeymaker II.
The most coveted award at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup is the J-Cup itself, which will be awarded at the Prize Giving Dinner on Saturday 5th September. For more J/Cup U.K. sailing and registration information
Pandemonium Regatta Announcement
(Tiburon, CA)- Corinthian Yacht Club will host the Pandemonium Regatta, a one-day double-handed event for one-design boats on Sunday, August 30th, 2020. There will be recognition for the overall winner as well as mixed-gender teams. Invited classes include J/24, J/70, J/88, and J/105's.
According to Bruce Stone, who will be competing with his J/105 Arbitrage, “Our objective in working with Corinthian Yacht Club is to offer chances to build experience with a training partner, and if we have great turn-out, we’ll go for longer lengths a month from now. In this iteration, there will be a long course of around 25 miles for J/105s and J/88s, a medium course for Express 27s and J/70s, and a shorter course for smaller boats like Knarrs, Cal 20’s, J/22s and J/24s.
The start will be off of the west end of Angel Island and a route going just north of the Richmond Bridge, then a challenging beat to Pt. Bonita, outside the Golden Gate Bridge, and an exciting spinnaker run to the finish at Corinthian YC in Raccoon Straits.” Sailing photo credits- Pressure-drop.us. For more CYC Pandemonium Regatta sailing and registration information
Conanicut YC Round The Island Announcement!
(Jamestown, RI)- In a summer of social distancing, getting out on the water has been a release for many local sailors. Conanicut Yacht Club's Annual Around-the-Island Race on Sunday, September 6th aims to continue to be that respite. The 93rd edition, held annually on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, may look a little different this year, but will still be a celebration of the New England summer sailing season winding down.
Typically attracting around one hundred boats, competitors start at 11:00 AM in separated divisions, then circumnavigate the 21.0nm course around Conanicut Island. Usually, this is followed by the popular post-race party and awards ceremony at the club. However, the latest pandemic guidelines haven’t allowed the club to do that part of the day's activities.
"We are proud and grateful for how flexible and patient the sailing community has been this summer," says CYC ATI Race Chairman, Alan Baines. "We delayed opening registration until we knew more about how we could operate safely for everyone and, of course, decided to not host a post-racing party. However, as regulations are always changing, we do ask for your continued cooperation. So, please keep an eye out for any late special instructions or changes over the coming weeks."
Despite the cancellations or modifications of other local regattas, many race boats have still been sailing as much as possible. They have adapted to the "new normal" by following the safety recommendations from the State of Rhode Island by limiting crew or just sailing with family. Face masks or neck gaiters have become a part of the sailors' gear bag as much as the lifejacket, hat, and sunglasses.
Conanicut Yacht Club welcomes any monohull sailing yachts 22 to 80 feet with a 2020 PHRF-NB certificate to register; the closing date for entries is September 2nd. For more CYC Round the Island sailing and registration information
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
SAILING Champions League Qualifier- Tutzing
(Tutzing, Germany)- From 20 to 23 August the season opener of the SAILING Champions League (SCL) 2020 will take place in Tutzing at Lake Starnberg – at the Deutscher Touring Yacht-Club. It is the first qualifier in Germany since the SCL was launched in 2014 and after holding events in St. Petersburg, Palma de Mallorca, Porto Cervo and St. Moritz. This year’s final will be held in Porto Cervo, Italy, from 15 to 18 October.
Twenty-four clubs from 12 nations are going to start the SAILING Champions League in Tutzing this Thursday. “The enthusiasm among the athletes and sailing fans to finally start racing again is great. We are delighted that we have succeeded in getting the first SCL event in Germany off the ground,” says Anke Lukosch, SCL Project Manager, looking forward to the event.
In addition to the top finishers of the national leagues from 2019, clubs were able to apply for a wildcard for this year's edition. Anke Lukosch explains the decision, “due to the current worldwide pandemic regulations and travel restrictions, some teams had to withdraw their participation at short notice. With the awarding of wildcards, clubs that could not qualify for the SCL directly now have the unique opportunity to compete with the best sailing clubs in Europe”.
The SCL Qualifier can be followed via Livestream on Saturday, 22 August, and Sunday, 23 August, from 12:00 PM (CEST) on Facebook, YouTube and sailing-championsleague.com.
After the first day of racing, the German clubs are leading. Despite light wind conditions, there was a lot going on the water and every meter was fought in the four races with the result of three penalties and one crash. The hosting club, the Deutscher Touring Yacht-Club, was able to make full use of its home advantage and sailed to first place in its race. The Norddeutsche Regatta Verein and the Segel- und Motorboot Club Überlingen, both also from Germany, are at the top of the table, too, and lead with equal points with the host. More news soon! Sailing Photo credits- Lars Wehrmann For more SAILING Champions League sailing information
Swedish J/70 Sailing League Season Premiere
(Ornskoldsvik, Sweden)- The series of four competitions sailed on the fleet of 12 J/70's that were to start this past spring has been reduced to two competition weekends, where the first will be decided in Örnsköldsvik from August 14th to 16th.
Sweden's best racing clubs are vying for the championship title in the two competitions on the program this year, as the Corona Pandemic put an end to sporting events this spring. The first round will thus be decided in first weekend and the final will be sailed in Västerås from September 4th to 6th. Västerås will thus be the host during the final weekend, just like last year. There will then be a qualifier for the Allsvenskan 2021 in Marstrand 3-4 October.
This year's Allsvenskan consists of eighteen clubs. Last year, the favorites at KSSS won and they aim for the same gold again this year.
"This year, it will be harder because the favorite team will be decided in only two competitions. One of our strengths has always been that we have been able to deliver at a high level over a longer series of four competitions. I think several of the other clubs with fewer sailors will have a certain advantage, but we like when it gets tough. Our goal is always to be in the absolute top, and it is important for us to secure a place in next year's Sailing Champions League. For the first event, we are sending a really sharp crew with Björn Hansen at the helm. So, there is no doubt that we want to be part of the fight at the top," says Niklas Edler who is captain for the KSSS Allsvenskan team (the Royal Swedish Yacht Club).
During three days of competition, the ambition is run 45 races, which means 15 races per club team. The races are judged directly on the water, so first to the finish wins. The short races mean that small mistakes can be expensive and sometimes chances can pay off. This often means that it is extremely challenging sailing.
Each crew must consist of one person of each sex and at least one sailor under 25 years of age. It is the clubs - not the individual sailors - who decide who will eventually win the gold.
How did it turn out for the teams this past weekend? GKSS won the first part of the Allsvenskan Segling competition.
GKSS was in a class of its own. Inside the harbor in Örnsköldsvik, the Gothenburgers sailed stably and in the 16 races they sailed, they were on the podium 15 times; and they won ten of them! Wow, basically a total "white-wash" of the competition.
"We grew as a team through the weekend and learned a lot from each other. Because everyone sails skiff and 49er on a daily basis, we spoke the same language on board even though we are new to the boat," says Marcus Anjemark from GKSS. "It has been a fantastic long weekend in Örnsköldsvik with perfect weather and varying winds. We enjoyed and look forward to more regattas here in Ö-vik. Extra fun that it was such an outstanding live broadcast that further strengthened the event."
After three days of sailing in an Örnsköldsvik that offered fantastic sailing weather, it was GKSS with Carl P Sylvan (helmsman), Marcus Anjemark, Oscar Andersson and Elin Sevedag who won the first part of the Allsvenskan. The key to the victory was probably that there were two jointly trained crews on board.
It was only in Friday's light winds that GKSS did not dominate. But when the wind increased on Saturday and also on Sunday, when it was steady at 5-8 m/s and up to 10 m/s in the villages, GKSS dominance also increased.
The team sailed incredibly stably and took home nine first places in the series where a full 15 rounds could be completed. Before the finale, where the six best teams competed for double points, only the reigning Allsvenskan champions from KSSS, with Björn Hansen at the helm, could threaten the Gothenburgers. But, then KSSS needed to beat GKSS by four places just to win...almost an impossibility.
But, KSSS missed the start and GKSS was able to sail to the finish line as the winner in the finale and complete the win. Third was the newcomer Runmarö Yacht Club.
"We have had a fantastic event with world class on everything and very good jobs from officials, organizers and sailors. It has been exciting, tight and very sporty sailing. I am happy with everything," said the regatta manager Claes Lundin. "It has been extra fun to follow the prestigious meeting between GKSS and KSSS. Maybe KSSS and Björn Hansen are better tactically, but this weekend GKSS was sharper and not least they had better boat speed. For more Swedish J/70 Sailing League information
Danish J/70 Sailing League Season Premiere
(Aarhus, Denmark)- The K.A.S. team took the victory in the 1st division after only 5 flights, where the last one ended up being shoot-out. Aarhus International Sailing Center and Sailing Aarhus were hosts and were represented with volunteers from Kaløvig this past weekend.
The wind teased and challenged sailors and, of course, probably made a lot of people simply crazy! Saturday morning started as planned with skipper meeting and welcome to all 1st division clubs. Then followed a postponement. However, approximately 15 minutes later, the wind came creeping in across the lake. Three flights were sailed in the light wind. Sunday started calmly and with a postponement. The wind built up calmly, and by noon the sailors were sent out. The wind was surprisingly good, but died after two quick flights, and the regatta ended up being canceled for the day due to a complete "glass out" on the water.
Last weekend's event winner from the 2nd division (Youngsters ONE)- skipper Rasmus Lumbye from Sønderborg Yacht Club- had planned a close duel between the well-known teams from Frederikhavn and KDY for this year's first 1st division event. In addition, there was a mixed crew from K.A.S. that from the start stood out and took the lead. K.A.S. had not moved to the top of the leaderboard before but sailed convincingly all weekend.
K.A.S. took the competition victory by a single point over the Sønderborg "kids"! The SYC kids fought hard all weekend through the very light winds. The decision was made in a close 1:1 duel in 5 races. There is no question the SYC youth team has promising future ahead of them.
Team SEF from Svendborg Sund Sejlklub finished just 4 points behind in 3rd place, a point ahead of KDY in 4th place. Team SEF started a bit sluggish, but sailed well after that, and ended up in 3rd place after some strong performances.
For K.A.S., the victory was the ultimate culmination of a path they had been working on very hard for several years. K.A.S. has come from the bottom of the 2nd division to be able to be a competition winner in a few years. Charlotte Andersen, Head of Racing at K.A.S. commented, “in 2017 we made a decision to improve the quality of our KAP school and with the team CrewYou. We to look at their set-up and strategy. We entered with the very best sailors in Denmark, Jesper Radich and Rene Villefrance, and it is satisfying to see how our great work has borne fruit!”
From K.A.S. skipper Henrik Rask Sørensen, he commented that “the victory was fantastic despite the very difficult conditions on Aarhus Bay. The result is also thanks to the improved training conditions in K.A.S., which now led to a regatta victory!” For more Danish J/70 Sailing League information
J/Crews Love Rough Ida Lewis Distance Race
(Newport, RI)– A total of 65 boats started the 2020 Ida Lewis Distance Race on Saturday, August 15 in a building northeasterly that dished out 20-22 knots of breeze (and a few knock-down gusts) throughout most of the day and into the evening and overnight.
By the time racing had finished for two offshore classes (IRC and PHRF Doublehanded) and three inshore classes (PHRF Aloha, PHRF Coronet and PHRF Cruising Spinnaker), 16 boats had retired. However, plenty of teams were left to beam about their accomplishments, each one crossing the finish line in Newport Harbor, near where they started, and receiving – no matter what the hour – a congratulatory bottle of Zardetto Prosecco delivered to them on the water by Ida Lewis Yacht Club volunteers.
“The conditions were incredible,” said Ron O’Hanley, skipper of the custom canting-keeler Privateer. “On races like this, you just have to make sure nothing goes wrong. You have to make sure your tacks and jibes and spinnaker take-downs go right.”
O’Hanley said he found the inshore course to be different than any other that has been typically held in the Bay and feels it allowed a lot of people to sail who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, especially those who had to sail with fewer crew in order to stay with those in their social bubbles.
“Everyone’s idea of distance racing is different. For our crew, we’re used to 100-mile races, but for others ten miles is as much as they’ve done. I give the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and its Race Committee so much credit for adding formats to ensure COVID safety and draw more participants into distance racing. I recognize that it’s complicated for the Race Committee to run so many different courses, but Ida Lewis has always sought ways to make distance racing more inclusive, and 2020 was yet another high-water mark.”
The 17-boat Doublehanded Class, which sailed the 153 nm “Block Island Course”, saw a J/105 taking second, only three minutes behind Ken Read's Alchemist on PHRF corrected time. Sailing a 29-year-old design against the latest modern offshore boats promoted by big French, subsidized, companies, the J/105 proved it is still a very powerful, fast, steady, offshore boat for shorthanded sailing. The duo on the J/105 YOUNG AMERICAN was 28-year-old Serena Vilage and teammate Peter Becker, entered by American YC's Young American Sailing Association in Rye, NY. Notably, this J/105 team also took the silver for the PHRF Doublehanded Mixed Crew division.
In the inshore PHRF Spin Aloha class, Bill Kneller's J/109 VENTO SOLARE managed to take the bronze on the podium in the blustery conditions. A fellow J/109, Bill Sutton's LEADING EDGE placed fifth.
In the PHRF Spin Coronet Class, Bob Manchester's J/133 VAMOOSE sailed fast to take fourth place, just 45 seconds shy of taking the bronze! Sailing photo credits- Stephen Cloutier. For more Ida Lewis YC Distance Race information
Throw-Down in MoTown!
Rumble in the Jungle- J/35 Style!
(Detroit, MI)- We had eight J/35's competing on August 15th and 16th. It was as good as it gets. At the end of the day on Saturday there was a bowline knot, for you rookies that is a three-way tie for first. Mr. Bill's Wild Ride 1st and 3rd, Snipe was 2nd and 2nd, and Dean's List was 3rd and 1st. The last race was called because of no wind.
There was a delay on Sunday do to a thunder storm. James Baker and his committee team told us all to standby that the storm will be over and he and his team at NSSC were all in to race more. Thank you NSSC for your dedication to being the real deal.
With that being said; Sunday Mr. Bill's Wild Ride was 1st and 2nd. Snipe was 2nd and 1st. Dean's List was 3rd and 3rd.
The THIRD RACE WAS THE BEST. In the final 7-tenths of a mile there were three lead changes. Dennis Meagher nosed out Mr. Bill by 1.5 feet and beat Dean's List by 10 seconds. Congratulations to all the sailors!
The party at NSSC and the awards were outstanding. We had Jake burgers cooked on the J/35 grill, and plenty of Guinness as we all talked about J/35 sailboat racing.
I heard there are several people with their big toes poking at the J/35 world. I will write you a hall pass! Please join in
you will happy you made the right decision. Do not buy yourself short, our renaissance is happening.
North Star Sail Club is the premier yacht club in Michigan. Their dedication to racing and putting out the effort to never be bogged down in politics is great. NSSC has the ability to keep 'the main thing the main thing'. Keep up your fine work! For more North Star Sail Club information.
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.
1999 J/125 "Can't Touch This" is one of the best equipped J/125's in the world and has been continually upgraded. Her last two owners have maintained her in impeccable condition. This boat has won every major offshore event on the west coast, including the Rolex Big Boat Series three-times and the Transpac Race.She has a brand new carbon rudder, new carbon sails, and updated Awlgrip silver-metallic paint job on the topsides. She has both a buoy-race inventory and an offshore inventory. The boat has gone thru a long list of upgrades as well as a serious "carbon diet". Carbon hand rails, carbon hatch boards, carbon steps, carbon padeyes with Spectra loops, a custom carbon step for offshore driving and Equiplight titanium shackles throughout. The boat has the new rudder design by Alan Johnstone along with all offshore safety gear. The boat is ready to go offshore today.
Hull & deck was built with TPI's patented SCRIMP vacuum resin infusion molding process. Hull has carbon fiber biaxial - unidirectional inner skin, biaxial Kevlar - E-glass hybrid outer skin and thermo-formed CoreCell linear structural foam core drilled for West System epoxy resin.
Deck has carbon - E glass - CoreCell - vinylester laminate with gelcoat finish. Hull & deck laminates meet ABS offshore yacht standards and is also CE Mark Certified for Europe. Truly an amazing offshore racing yacht for the most discerning performance sailor. These J/125s rarely come on to the brokerage market and this particular boat is in pristine "as new" condition. Learn more about this fabulous J/125 here.
J/121 CRESCENT IV blasting upwind on the Sea of Japan.
* "Like many of the world’s most splendid sailing areas, such as Narragansett Bay and Waikiki, Japan’s very own Sagami Bay, just south of Tokyo, has been without sails and sailors for months; staying socially distant, and abiding by the rules.
Nevertheless, I’m now happy to say that sailing in Sagami Bay is finally back! Hayama Marina Yacht Club has restarted its fortnightly summer club races, given the rules and regulations set forth by our national and local governments.
After restarting the sailing season July 12th, our J/121 CRESCENT IV dutifully performed as committee boat at this first race and happily watched eighteen other boats enjoy a strong sea breeze. Then, on August 8th, the time was finally at hand for CRESCENT IV to compete. That morning, we had a fairly nice wind and succeeded in making a top finish in race #1 for our first club race!
Wherever you may be in this windy world, I hope and believe that all J/Boats advocates will enjoy a nice summer sea breeze!" Thanks to Aki Hirai's report, the owner of the J/121 CRESCENT IV. Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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Ida Lewis Distance Race Preview
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?
