It has been another challenging week around the world for our community of J/Sailors. Some good, some hopeful, some bad, some sad. Our sailing friends in South America are having a difficult time with the pandemic in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina; hopefully turning the corner sometime soon. In America, everyone is coming to grips with both the pandemic problem and with civil unrest regarding the death of George Floyd and issues of equal justice and fair treatment of all Americans, from every walk of life. In short, many Americans are looking for, and hoping, for a "brighter tomorrow". And, yet other sailors are watching the rights of spring begin to bloom and offer hope...as we transition into summer in the northern hemisphere and can, with a degree of caution, begin to go sailing again.As the activity of sailing is given the "green light" by various organizations, J/22's are making their presence felt in various sailing programs across the country and the Caribbean; from Sail Newport in Rhode Island to Park City Community Sailing next to that famous ski resort in Utah; to the Montego Bay YC sailing program in Jamaica!
A "Social Distance Race" series organized for sailors in western Long Island Sound has been a resounding success for double-handers and family teams, with two J/88's and a J/27 enjoying an offshore challenge from Greenwich, CT to Stratford Shoals and back.
College sailors in MAISA (Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association) jumped into the "virtual racing" game using the Virtual Regatta J/70s. They have had a series of "inshore racing" events using virtual J/70s with "live" virtual coaching from their team coaches. Apparently, many lessons learned regarding the process of thinking tactically and strategically.
Then, a recently published recap and highlights video of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race provides you a very educational perspective on what it takes to campaign a sailboat in a major offshore distance race.
Jamin Jamaica J/22 Regatta Announcement
(Montego Bay, Jamaica)- The Montego Bay YC is announcing that the Jamin Jamaica J/22 2020 regatta will be held from December 10th to 13th, with racing yet again taking place on the gorgeous aquamarine waters of Montego Bay! Come and truly get yer 'ya'ya's out after hibernating under lockdown for months!
For the Pirates who came, saw, and conquered the "Course of the Black Pearl", thank you for making it such a memorable event for the 30th Edition!
We had such a fantastic time! Sailors representing the first-ever JamAm Regattas, like Galen Freeman and Bruce Berner, to some first-time scallywags, all loved sailing in the tropical blue, warm sea around Montego Bay Harbor! It was a fabulous event on and off the water!
Please take a look at our highlight reel: Jamin 30th Edition Highlights
And check out some of the press:
- An interview with Richard Hamilton on the Jamin’ Jamaica J/22 Regatta
- 30th Annual JAMIN Regatta Ends On a High Note (Jamaica Observer)
If you would like to keep in touch, please fill out the form here.
We will be sending out the Jamin 2020 Registration ASAP! So, make sure all your friends that might want to join have filled out the form above so they will know when registration is live!
By the way, we had a poem-writing contest that may have been influenced by Jamaica's famous rum. The winning poem came from BLU DOG CALYPSO's Galen Freeman and Laura Johnson:
"Jamin J is wild ‘n’ fun
And we are here to drink the rum
Banged all up from ups ‘n’s downs
But on our faces you’ll see no frowns
Cus all the peeps are cool ‘n’ nice
And all the drinks are filled with ice
Yo ho ho for very few J's
Beautiful nights ‘n’ sunny days
Great Great Sailin ‘n’ dancing the night away
Lord help us, we’ll never stop Comin to the Jamin J"
Cheers and we look forward to seeing you in December! For more Jamin Jamaica J/22 Regatta sailing information Instagram Facebook
Let's Go Sailing @ Sail Newport!
(Newport, RI)- After a long winter, made longer by the pandemic, Sail Newport's J/22 sailboats are on the water and ready to rent! We are thankful to have the "green light" from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to resume rentals, but of course, within guidelines to keep our staff and customers safe.
Here’s how it will work:
- Per the State of Rhode Island DEM regulations, all individuals for a boat rental must be from the same household and be R.I. residents (Unless you can document your required 14-day Quarantine per R.I Exec. Order. This will likely only be until June 1 - bear with us!)
- The boats are available seven days a week for three-hour rentals by appointment only
- (Absolutely no walk-ins at this time)
- We have twelve boats in the water
- Make an appointment by calling the Sail Newport Dock Office at (401) 849-8385
- All rentals must be paid in full at the time of the reservation, we will take your card number over the telephone
- If we are unable to provide a boat because of weather conditions, or, if the sailor does not pass a checkout, we will issue a refund
Full House J/22 Racing Series: June 9 - June 30
Sail Newport will be hosting a "household-only" J/22 spinnaker series on Tuesday nights and non-spinnaker series on Wednesday nights during the month of June in our fleet of J/22s to kick-off the 2020 regatta season. Racing will begin at 6pm between Rose and Goat Island with multiple races planned each night. We anticipate a full fleet of 12 boats for each series, so sign up today to save your spot!
Narragansett Bay is our greatest natural resource, and there’s no better way to enjoy the water than sailing a J/22 on a beautiful day.
Kim Hapgood, Program Director. Call for Reservation: 401-849-8385. For more Sail Newport J/22 rental information
More Regatta Cancellations & Postponements
(Newport, RI)- Sadly, several more major events have been either cancelled or postponed as the cycle of the pandemic sweeps through other countries around the world.
2020 J/80 World Champs is cancelled
Due to current events impacting sailing regattas, travel, and related global disruptions, the J/80 North American Class Association Executive Board has cancelled the 2020 J/80 World Championships that were originally scheduled to be held from September 28 to October 3, 2020 in Newport, RI.
While the J/80 Worlds will return to North America in 2022, the 2021 J/80 World Championship will be hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club in Hellerup Denmark.
2020 J/70 North Americans is cancelled
The International J/70 Class Association (IJ70CA) and the Port Credit Yacht Club have decided, because of the varying levels of infection and disruption across the world, to cancel the 2020 J/70 North American Championship scheduled for September 20-27, 2020 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
The Executive Committee has been closely monitoring the worldwide developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. They understand the huge commitment of time and money it takes to participate in a major Championship, as well as the enormous resources that our host clubs dedicate to such events.
The 2021 J/70 North American Championship will remain as planned from May 12-15 at the Annapolis Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. The Class intends to hold the 2022 J/70 North American Championship at the Port Credit Yacht Club, meaning the 2023 J/70 North American Championship will be hosted by St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida (originally scheduled for 2022).
J/24 North American Championship Postponed to August 2021
The International J/24 Class Association (IJCA) and the Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, New York today announced the postponement of the Good Samaritan Hospital J/24 North American Championship slated for August 11th to 16th, 2020. The revised dates are August 18th to 22nd, 2021, pending approval of the SYC Board.
The Organizing Authority reviewed COVID-19 guidance documents from World Sailing, US Sailing and New York State, as well as working closely with event sponsors.
The Sayville Yacht Club started an Infectious Disease Committee which has been monitoring the CDC, state and local government agencies in order to develop the Club's policies for the summer of 2020.
Joseph Buonasera, SYC Rear Commodore and J/24 NAC Regatta Chairman, said, “First and foremost, the organizing committee has the responsibility to make sure that all of the participants, including the volunteers and the race committee are able to participate in a safe and secure manner. We also have a responsibility to our sponsors. We understand this is very disappointing for all of us. There has been a great deal of work done to prepare for this regatta, and due to reasons beyond our control we feel that this postponement is the right thing to do. Our sponsors are ready to come back in 2021, and it will allow our participants to have the event that they have come to expect and deserve.”
The previously scheduled J/24 North American Championships will now shift one year, with Kingston, Ontario Canada hosting in 2022 and Sandusky Sailing Club in Ohio in 2023. In the meantime, the Class wishes all J/24 sailors and their families the best in these unusual times. We look forward to resuming sailing as soon as we can.
J/Gear June 20% OFF Special!
(Newport, RI)- Ronstan has been in the performance sailing business for years and they have designed a quality duffel that is perfect for racing or cruising. Ample space in the 24" x 12" x 12" dimension with wide grip carry strap. Inside wet pouch keeps the dry clothes separate. Rugged stitching and large top loading flap. Embroider with your class logo boat name and sail number. Check it out here on the J/Gear website
J/Crews Dominate Social Distance Race
(Greenwich, CT)- With organized racing on New York’s Long Island Sound shut down, UK Sailmakers’ Adam Loory organized a series of doublehanded “pick-up” races over the last three weekends. The races are not run by any club or sailing association, there is no entry fee, no trophies and no party; just boats meeting up to go racing. By sailing doublehanded, crews are able to social distance and nearly eliminate the chance of spreading the Covid-19 virus.
In lieu of an entry fee, all sailors have been donating to the Larchmont/ Mamaroneck Food Pantry, which feeds those in need during this time of massive unemployment. Nearly $5,000 has been donated so far, which makes the races doubly rewarding.
On May 23rd, the race was a 45-miler that went from Greenwich, Ct., around Stratford Shoal Light House and back. Luckily, the no-wind-at-the-start forecast was wrong; there was 8-12 knots of wind out of the east-northeast for the start and the first half of the race. At one point racers sailed through fog so thick they could barely see 100 feet. The forecast did call for a building in the late afternoon, but not the 20-26 knots out of the northeast most of the fleet got hit by when they were within three miles of making the turn home. Once around the light house it was a quick run to the finish. Those who flew spinnakers reported speeds up to 17 knots.
Andrew Weiss and Lawrence Cutler, co-owners of the J/88 ONE TOO MANY finished first in Class 2 and first overall. After the race Andrew wrote, “We had great trip back. Lawrence hit 14 knots, which we thought was pretty good for a 29-foot boat. We never broached all the way back. It’s a good little boat for doublehanding-- still it was a long beat for us.”
Andrew was happy the race didn’t take much longer as they were navigating with an iPhone and didn’t know what they would do if the battery went dead!
Taking second in Class 2 was yet another J/88- Paul Strauch's ANDIAMO. Then, winning Class 1 by a handy margin was Barry Purcell's J/27 LUCIDA!
Twenty-four boats signed up, five didn’t start and five more retired during the race, leaving 14 finishers. Everyone, including those who retired wrote thanking for the opportunity to race and for the good time they had.
Long-time Long Island Sound racer Rich Gold said, “Thank you Adam for providing a spring worth remembering amidst a year of Covid-19 we want to forget. Racing doublehanded requires a lot of dynamic skills to enable skipper and crew to have fun safely. Congratulations to the winners, crews and to the entire bunch of sailing enthusiasts that defined their May in a sailor’s way.”
Two more races are planned before the regular season starts up. Anyone interested in joining in should email Adam Loory at: adam@uksailmakers.com
Sailing photo credits- Suzy Bradford
College Sailors in the Virtual World
(Philadelphia, PA)- The Drexel University Club Sailing Team had a pretty good fall season, qualifying for the Mid-Atlantic Fall Championship and putting in a solid team effort in challenging conditions there. The team was really looking good going into the spring season, and then March happened…
COVID-19 hit the US hard. Soon travel was canceled, followed swiftly by, well – everything else, including the entire spring college sailing season. The students were held off campus on an extended spring break, and the team never rigged boats for the year before campus was shut down and the student athletes became digital distance learners.
That could have been the end of the story, but as people were learning all sorts of way to suddenly be digitally social, an idea was formed. What if the Drexel sailors combined video conference hangouts and online virtual sailing?
“At first I thought it would be a good social outlet for my sailors, but as soon as we started, I learned it was actually a valuable teaching tool,” said Coach Craig Priniski.
The team used Virtual Regatta Inshore since it was an established platform with an eSailing World Sailing sanction. The app and website-based eSport also allowed for private races to be held with only the team participating.
“I found out that teaching strategy and tactics using the live video feed and interactive one design fleets was very effective,” noted Priniski. “The platform offered a better way to demonstrate topics like persistent and oscillating shifts, effects of wind shadows from competitors, and even the importance of finding dark water for pressure up the race course.”
The now-scattered team enjoyed the virtual practice sessions, too.
“As a graduating senior, I was very disappointed to have been left out of my last season,” admitted Haley Clemson. “Though it definitely is not the same, and I still wish for the ability to sail a physical boat every day of social distancing, the practices and regatta that we planned through VR inshore are a great way for us to connect as a team and through MAISA when we can’t in person.
“It is very cool that there is a platform where we can still ‘practice’ our sport through all of this, and is a cool way to have the semblance of practice with the team when a real practice is not possible”
The virtual season culminated with the first ever eSailing college regatta, at least that the team has heard of!
The Drexel Open Regatta, which is traditionally sailed on the team’s home waters of the Delaware River, was instead moved to a virtual experience.
A notice was sent out to the Mid-Atlantic Conference’s email list to invite other teams and recent grads to come together for one college regatta on May 16. The regatta was held in various simulated venues around the world and the sailors got to try sailing Stars, J/70s, and even 49ers over a six-race series. A Zoom skippers’ meeting was held, and all participants were invited to ‘stand by’ on Zoom or even chat with their competitors, as appropriate.
The Drexel Open succeeded beyond the original intent of uniting a few local teams. Instead, there were more sailors than the 20 boat races could accommodate. Several Drexel sailors opted to spectate so all could participate. In the end, 26 sailors were in a 20-boat fleet spanning two continents, three countries, and 10 colleges. Patrick Modin, sailing for Kings Point, took top honors for the regatta.
International Drexel student Paula Cabot commented, “I had to move back home to Spain to finish the quarter. It was hard to adjust, but it has been fun to be able to video call with the whole team and play Virtual Regatta. I am really happy that we were able to do the Drexel Open Regatta and hangout with the other teams!”
Drexel Sailing still has a few practices left…. look for them in the Virtual Regatta Inshore custom races around 7 pm ET on Mondays and Thursdays. Thanks for contribution from Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Keeping Sailing Healthy and Well
(Park City, UT)- We admit to having digital fatigue. During the coronavirus pandemic, the go-to solution to remain connected was to create video content, but there are only so many how-to topics we can consume. Enough already!
Sailors want to sail, and while most regions have some form of health restriction impacting the sport, making adjustments to activate participation is the function of every sailing organization.
For those waiting to return to their normal competition schedule, they will be waiting too long as the season is on and people want to get on the water. Sailing is about reacting to the conditions, so let’s react!
That’s the game plan at Park City Sailing Association (https://sailpc.org/), located 32 miles southeast of downtown Salt Lake City at an elevation of 7,000 feet (yes, over a mile high!) amid some of Utah’s great ski resorts.
Ken Block provides the update:
"So much of today’s sailing news is either stories of the past or an announcement of a regatta cancellation. Here on the Jordanelle Reservoir, just outside of Park City, sailing is growing at a record rate. This is our 13th season and 13 may be our lucky number.
As the month of May started, members began to use the club’s J/22s the moment the boats hit the frigid mountain water. Families that had been quarantined at home since mid- March found an opportunity to have a safe family activity under the ski slopes of Deer Valley. The club boats are each equipped with “Sani-Kits” to allow members to sanitize the cockpits to adhere to County regulations.
The entire team at Park City Sailing offers encouragement to the countless clubs that are facing some difficult challenges this year. Let us all work to keeping sailing healthy and well." Thanks for contribution from Scuttlebutt Sailing News
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.
A beautiful dark navy-blue J/111 is ready to transport you across the Seven Seas in grand style. One of the prettiest boats you can lay your eyes on to..check her out and imagine how she would feel for a spin around-the-buoys or a long offshore sleighride over moonlit seas...
Learn more about this SAIL California J/111 listing here
* Australian Jason Close, owner of the J/133 PATRIOT, won his division in the Rolex Sydney Hobart last year- starting on Boxing Day, December 26th, 2019.
Jason's first attempt didn't go so well. However, he saw no alternative but to come back for the 75th race after PATRIOT broke her rudder (a submerged object broke it clean off) and retired from last year’s race.
Originally owned and raced in the USA, this J/133 was the second USA-built boat to be imported into Australia. Her only other Rolex Sydney Hobart was 2010, when owned by Queenslander Tony Love. Their successful outing enabled them to finish 25th overall for second in Division 3. Otherwise, PATRIOT has been lightly raced, used more for cruising.
For our 2019 race, the crew consisted mainly of members of Sandringham Yacht Club members, with four of the sailors either current or ex-international 14-foot skiff sailors.
"We were all very disappointed after striking an object and breaking our rudder last year and we are all keen to see the finish line at Hobart this year," said Close.
Here is a well-done sailing video documentary of that Rolex Sydney Hobart Race victory, giving insights into the race preparation, the importance of crew management, and the crucial process of on-going race navigation and strategies.
* Celebrating the Community of Women in Racing- a perspective offered by Cindy Einhouse, co-owner of the J/105 OVATION.
"According to Dictionary.com, the definition of “role model” is “a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.”
There were very few women skippers and/or boat owners in the Cleveland area when I started sailing. My husband Tom and I were introduced to the sport during the summer of 1987 and
show that people are more likely to emulate role models with whom they can identify.
That’s what extraordinary about people like Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1989. And, Dawn Riley - the first woman to manage an entire America’s Cup syndicate in 2007. They influenced many young women to go beyond commonly accepted boundaries and insert themselves into a previously male-dominated sport. Role models and inspiration can be found in many places, though.
I crewed on a C&C41 out of Edgewater Yacht Club from 1988-1994. Eventually (because we were the ones who always showed up for every single race!) over time, the skipper relied on us for recruiting, training and organizing crew for club races and travel regattas. At first, it was the men on the boat who primarily got the regular crew positions, while the women generally would ride the rail. However, that eventually changed when inevitably we were short on regular crew, and women were ready and able to do some hands-on learning.
It was at the end of 1994 that Edgewater YC member Corrine del Bane had the idea to form a women’s sailing association, and I joined the inaugural group that kicked off the organization with a fundraising event at the University Club in early 1995, with Dawn Riley as keynote speaker. Now known as the North Coast Women’s Sailing Association (NCWSA), the group is still going strong with 200+ members, and the original mission still in place: “To empower women to become more actively involved in sailboat racing through regattas and clinics, and to create a spirit of good fellowship among members.”
Hosted by Edgewater Yacht Club and operated solely by volunteers, NCWSA organizes races, educational meetings, social events and an annual regatta throughout the year. The group encourages men to be active in coaching, training and race committee, and relies on many to loan their boats for NCWSA activities. Fleets include J/22s, J/24s, Ensigns, Dragons, as well as JAM, PHRF and Race “Prep” boats for those who are brand- new to sailing. Tom and I both participate with NCWSA as well as regular club races and regattas on our own boat.
That same year of 1994, we bought our first boat when our oldest son was three months old– the J/29 OVATION– and put together a crew. For the next several years, we took turns; one of us raced while the other stayed home with our son, and a few years later, two sons. This allowed us to equally develop our skills and confidence at the helm. Eventually, when we started to race together again, we had to work on our team management skills, since we were both used to being “in charge.”
In 2018, we sold the J/29 and bought a J/105, still named OVATION, and began racing in the one-design fleet at Edgewater YC. We still take turns at the helm, while the other takes the pit, sail trim, foredeck or navigation, depending on whatever needs to be covered. We have found one-design racing to be a welcome challenge, extremely competitive, with a hugely supportive fleet.
The one-design fleet reminds me of what is special about all-women crews– the camaraderie. But nothing beats an all-woman crew, because female networks tend to feel warm, welcome, and safe. Just ask anyone who is in a book club. Same thing. Sailing photo credit- Cindy Einhouse
* J/35 HOUQUA - A Great Boat Recalled Twice in 48 Hours
J/Boats co-founder Bob Johnstone, had provided us a "Throwback Thursday" perspective regards sailing his J/35 HOUQUA back in the mid-1980's. Here was his commentary...
"An Easter message, perhaps from Job 1:21? 'The Lord Gave, and the Lord Hath Taken Away.' Yes, within 48 hours that beautiful, dark blue J/35 HOUQUA, was the cause of a happy phone call on April 5th. 48 hours later it recalled a dramatic moment in the life of a friend and shipmate that had recently passed away.
The happy phone call was to meet and converse with two new friends on April 5th, Cheryl Miller, HOUQUA’s (now named DEAN’S LIST) current owner and boat yard owner Dean Fitzpatrick. Then 48 hours later, I learned that Dayton Carr, with whom I had shared a dramatic yacht race, passed away.
Dayton, and by coincidence another Dean (Matthews), sailed with me on HOUQUA in what I recall was the New York Yacht Club's 1987 Queen’s Cup. We had the race won handily in 30-35 knot winds with many boats having dropped out. It was blowing so hard that with 100% blade, the main was sometimes totally ragged, if not sailed on just the battens. HOUQUA was on the starboard layline about 1/2 mile from being first to finish. Dayton was wincing in great pain, having cracked or broken a rib, falling against a cockpit winch and not being able to hike. John Marshall’s Hinckley 42C DRAGON FIRE was approaching on port about a mile to leeward. When what to our astonishment did we witness? The New York YC Race Committee fired off 3 guns to abandon the race. What a bummer!There are trophy races that are listed in a given year as “No Race” or “Not Awarded”, but the 1987 Queen’s Cup is the only major trophy race listed in the NYYC Yearbook as “Race Abandoned”.
Seas were very rough with the RC Boat (Black Knight?) rolling to such an extent, and likely with injured and very sick committee members aboard, they pulled up anchor to head in.
At the time, HOUQUA and DRAGON FIRE were in plain sight about to finish. Couldn’t see anyone else. The RC probably decided that a half-dozen other boats were still a half hour or more from finishing... and, with more than half the fleet damaged or having retired: this was not a race, but “survival”. There would only be a few boats listed in the results. Survival to the finish was, for the crew of HOUQUA, a huge yacht racing challenge. In any event, to successfully overcome those challenges was one of life’s great moments for a great boat and crew.
We felt so badly for Dayton, who had given up a rib for naught. On the way back in, off Castle Hill, John Marshall’s DRAGON FIRE gave up a part as well: it’s binnacle and wheel.... yanked completely out of the deck when John lurched against it in a wipeout. Yes, it was quite a day of sailing!"
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