This year's 4th of July Independence Day celebrations in the U.S.A. will have a decidedly different feel for millions of Americans. The weekend is certainly the most popular summer holiday on the American calendar as it's most often celebrated outdoors, on the water, or any patch of grass one can find to have massive cookouts, enjoy adult beverages, and watch the massive fireworks displays under clear starry skies, listening to music choreographed to the exploding night skies (often the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, played by the Boston Pops).
On the sailing front, the three European countries that surround the enormous Bodensee Lake in the Alps- Switzerland, Germany, and Austria- enjoyed their annual J/70 Bodensee Battle. The huge turnout and nice sailing conditions over the weekend was enthusiastically welcomed by more than 175 sailors!
Be sure to both read and watch the "Sailing Family Story" below that includes an hour-long Zoom video interview with the Langolf family from Cleveland, Ohio- cute story, great insights on how to get more kids on sailboats during this new world order of pandemic life.
QUARTER 2 ELEVEN Tops J/70 Bodensee Battle Regatta
(Kreuzlingen, Switzerland)- There is this little lake in Switzerland that is known as the "Bodensee", it sits between three of Europe's more influential Alpine nations- Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. While maybe little compared to the remarkable Great Lakes in the USA (where 84% of North America's fresh water is contained and 21% of the world's supply); the Bodensee's impact on their region is giant over the course of time. As one of Europe's largest freshwater lakes, it has been at the crossroads of civilizations and trading routes since time immemorial. For one, it is the headwaters of the famous Rhine River that flows through Germany north to the North Sea.
Sailors have always enjoyed the big beautiful blue lake, fed by run-offs from the snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the European Alps that surround it. From a sailing perspective, the Bodensee is co-managed by all of its yacht clubs/ sailing clubs that dot its shores- a sailing association that has over 100 clubs and over 15,000 member boats. Ironically, not even Lake Michigan in the USA can boast that density of sailing clubs and participants around its 1,000+ nm. of shoreline.
When the initial Deutsche Segel-Bundesliga was created five years ago, a critical decision was made by all of the Bodensee member sailing clubs. For the first time ever in three centuries of sailing on the lake, the member clubs agreed to standardize on one boat for inter-club competition; that was the International J/70. As a result, the camaraderie and fun experienced by all sailors on the Bodensee has simply grown dramatically. With a fun, easy-to-sail, boat that can be sailed by all; young & old 8 to 80s, beginners and Olympians; the J/70 class has taken off on the Bodensee. A boat you can daysail anywhere across the lake with family and friends, as well as enjoy great competition locally.
After a few weeks of "pandemic life", it was not surprising that "cottage fever" was driving just about everyone crazy. The mounting desire to "escape" from the four-walls of lock-down at home was going to manifest itself in some way, for the good.
In the case of the J/70 class on the Bodensee, that celebration for "escapees" was the J/70 Bodensee Battle Regatta hosted by the Kreuzlingen Sailing Club. A big, excited fleet of thirty-seven boats could not wait to get out on the water, onto the starting line, and simply enjoy some hearty competition while appreciating the spectacular vistas offered by the surrounding Alpine mountains.
Fast out of the gate on the first day was Nick Zeltner's crew on QUARTER 2 ELEVEN, posting a mind-numbing 1-1-1-4 record to lead the fleet by a significant amount. However, Zeltner and crew could not maintain their frenetic pace on the final day. After their blazing start, they closed the regatta with a 5-12-13 to finish with 24 pts net. Congratulations to Nick Zeltner and his crew of Nilo Scharer, Till Seger, and Cedric Schenk.
The balance of the top five turned out to be a war of attrition for four teams, two Swiss and two German. It was nearly a four-way tie for the balance of the podium, with three boats in fact all tied at 33 pts each. Winning the battle on count-back to take the silver was Lorzen Kauschke's RHUBARBE team of Maren Kauschke, Laurent Forrer, and Emanuel Muller. The bronze medal went to Lorenz Muller's ATTAQUE team of Chantal Suri, Jann Schupbach, and Alissia Muller. The top German team on SHERRY LADY, skippered by Henrik Schaal with crew of Aaron Scherr, Timo Dahn, and Sven Herberger, had to settle for fourth place. Taking fifth place was another German team, Dennis Mehlig's JAI with crew of Kevin Mehlig, Yannick Hafner, and Lukas Ammon. The top Austrian team was Diem Klaus' ROUND 2 in 16th place.
J/22 Jammin' Jamaica Regatta Announcement
(Montego Bay, Jamaica)- If there was ever any good news in the sailing world in the past few months, this one has to be one of the best... all things considered. The Montego Bay Yacht Club and the Jamaica J/22 fleet have been famous (or, perhaps infamous) for hosting one of the most entertaining and enjoyable regattas in the Caribbean circuit. Started decades ago, the format is simple:
- apply to sail the regatta with full crew or two persons (balance of local crew)
- you get assigned a boat/ team
- then you simply go sailing!
Basically, the boat, sails, crew, and local host are provided (yes, they provide accommodations for you, too) and you also get to enjoy a simply amazing "theme party" on Saturday night way, way up high in the mountains where it is totally cool.
What is the catch? Nothing. Here is the hardest possible decision to make: "should I stay, or should I go?" LOL. How can you not take up that offer? Your only cost is round-trip airline tickets to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Doh! No question, your Montego Bay YC bar/cafe bill may be higher than that... the food and service is second to none in the Caribbean.
Here is a message from Regatta Chairman Richard Hamilton:
"I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. This is definitely a crazy time to be alive. Jamaica has been stifled with Saharan Dust from across the Atlantic Ocean (crazy, huh?), Covid-19 is still a global threat, and there is civil unrest across the US that is creating tension and uncertainty elsewhere, even in Jamaica.
With all that said, we do have the J/22 Jamin' Jamaica Regatta to look forward to! 2020 promises to be a fantastic year and we look forward to welcoming some of our seasoned veterans and some new challengers!
Please see the NOR on our website. Our eyes are on the horizon and we will be Jamin' to the sweet tunes of this year's Carnival Edition in no time!
Mark these dates now- December 10th to 13th in Montego Bay, Jamaica! We would love to see you!"
For more J/22 Jammin Jamaica Regatta information
J/Gear July 20% OFF Special!
(Newport, RI)- The J Under Armour Quarter Zip Top provides Under Armour technology with a competitive design appearance. A bold stripe details the sleeve. The Under Armour logo is displayed on the left sleeve.
The top features a reflective quarter-zip for visibility during after-hours training; contrast fabric overlays on sleeves and collar; rolled forward shoulder seams for unrivaled comfort; and performance loose fit.
It is constructed of a 100% polyester fabric, a soft and durable circular knit construction with brushed interior for extra warmth, with the signature Moisture Transport System that wicks sweat to keep you dry and light.
The J/Class logo of your choice is embroidered on the front. We can also customize with your detail. Perfect for the whole crew! Check it out here on the J/Gear website
Sailing Calendar
Jul 3-5- Italian J/70 Sailing League- Santa Marinella, Italy
Jul 11th- Belles Beer Bayview Mackinac Race- Port Huron, MI
Jul 11-12- SAIL Newport Regatta- Newport, RI
Jul 17-19- J/70 Segel Bundesliga- Chiemsee, Germany
Jul 18-19- Fiesta Cup (J/70 & J/111)- Santa Barbara, CA
Jul 23-26- Sailing World Marblehead NOOD Regatta- Marblehead, MA
Jul 24-26- Ugotta Regatta- Harbor Springs, MI
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
A Family Sailing Story- Brett & Katie Langolf
(Cleveland, OH)- Commenting on how their family has adapted to the new world order, Brett Langolf explained,
"When our race boat had a pack ‘n play crib lashed to the keel bolts we realized we approached things a little differently than other new parents.
The adventures of living, racing and being a family on our sailboats for the past decade have instilled themes and tactics that unknowingly prepared us for the unexpected- a quarantine.
We look forward to sharing stories of life on the water and relating them to the world's current status in the midst of a global pandemic."
Brett and Katie Langolf have created a non-profit organization called "More Kids On Sailboats". Their goal is to create more awareness for the next generation of sailors by offering them opportunities to be part of a sailboat crew and to build future leaders through sailing. Here is a nice video promo they put together for their organization.
On social media over the internet, you can follow them here:
Website- http://www.morekidsonsailboats.org
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/morekidsonsailboats
Instagram- @more_kids_on_sailboats
Finally, John Pierce- the US Sailing Youth Director- had a fun, introspective, and thoughtful interview on US Sailing's "Starboard Portal" using that infamous video conference tool- Zoom. Enjoy watching this hour-long interview with the entire Langolf Family! Watch the US Sailing Langolf Family interview here.
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.
This week we are featuring a beautiful little fast cruiser that has proven amazingly popular with our J/Cruisers. The J/32 was Alan Johnstone's first cruising design. It features a huge forward stateroom with a big V-berth and closets, plenty of storage. Then, aft to port is nav station and a large aft head with shower. To starboard aft is the L-shaped galley and a starboard quarterberth.
The J/32 is a great option if you are looking for a boat with pedigree sailing prowess that has comfortable overnight accommodations and can be easily sailed single-handed.
This boat has been well maintained and upgraded with all the right equipment. Highlights include blue Awlgrip, upgraded Raymarine instruments, radar/GPS, autopilot and recent canvas in like-new condition. For more information on the J/32 cruiser, click here.
* Eight Bells- Scott Self- J/22 Sailor Extraordinaire
Scott Self, 70, passed away due to glioblastoma on June 30 in in Rockwall, TX. He was diagnosed May 19, 2020.
Scott Self was born to Dr. Stanley Allen and Gloria Rust Self in Victoria, Texas. In 1963 the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he graduated from Paschal High School in 1968. During those years in Fort Worth, Scott learned to sail a Sunfish sailboat and worked on the family’s cattle ranch near Saginaw, Texas.
Scott graduated from Texas Christian University in 1972 with an honors degree in Economics, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. TCU is also where he met his wife, Jan, whom he married on June 9, 1973 in her parents’ backyard—-a 50’ magnolia tree as their altar.
Their honeymoon was spent sailing and racing Dick Williamson’s Swan 44 Stuart Little from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, then home to the states via La Rochelle, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Morocco, Canary Islands, and the Bahamas.
Upon their return, Scott worked for Merrill Lynch as a stock broker in Dallas. Four years later in 1977, he bought a company that produced Micro Brush, renamed it ProSoap, and moved the company to Rockwall.
He and Jan moved to Chandlers Landing and Scott was able to pursue his love of sailboat racing on Lake Ray Hubbard—-the best sailing lake in Texas due to its shape and orientation to the prevailing southerly breezes. He and Jan were immediately active in the community.
Scott founded Dallas Race Week, a regatta now in its 38th year. In 1985, Scott was the founding Chairman of Rockwall United Way. In 1986, he chaired the Rockwall YMCA Board and in 1987, he served as Commodore for Chandlers Landing Yacht Club. In 1988, he was chairman of the Rockwall Noon Rotary Board. And in 1989 he was Chairman of the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce Board. He loved to serve the community.
In 1990, Scott began his political career and was elected to his first office in Rockwall as County Treasurer in which he served seven years. In 1999, he was elected to Rockwall City Council, and in 2000, he was elected Mayor of Rockwall.
From 2003 until 2006, he served as Rockwall County Commissioner. His proudest accomplishments in these roles were doubling the size of Harry Myers Park and increasing the biking trails, starting the process of Hometown 2000, and keeping taxes in Rockwall the lowest in the Metroplex.
Scott never stopped serving his community. In 2001 at age 51, Scott began a five-year career as a volunteer firefighter for the Rockwall Fire Department and served as the President of the Rockwall Firefighters Association in 2005. He spent eight years as a Board Member of Rockwall County Helping Hands and recently served on the board of Women In Need, as well as serving in numerous other volunteer organizations.
Scott’s sailing career was as illustrious. Scott crewed on the winning boat in the 1973 North American Men’s Sailing Championship, known as the Mallory Cup. That same year, he competed in the 420 World Championships held off the coast of Israel during the Israeli 1973 Yom Kippur war with Egypt.
A story Scott liked to tell was that his crew had become ill and Scott was facing dropping out, so the Israeli sailing committee kindly offered a substitute crew. The substitute showed up and Scott asked what he did for a living. The sub responded, “I’m a fighter pilot. They told me if I could get here in time, I could sail with you, so I put on the afterburners and here I am!” Scott and his new crew placed ninth out of 75 of the best world-class teams.
Further admirable finishes in his sailboat racing career include racing the aforementioned Stuart Little in the Fastnet Race of Great Britain, placing sixth in the 1994 J/22 World Championship in Holland, and again in 1996, as well as placing second in the 2004 J/22 US Nationals.
In 2005, Scott and his longtime sailing partner Nigel Brown won the double-handed division of the Transpac race from Los Angeles to Hawaii aboard their Hobie 33, Soap Opera. Later that same year, he and Nigel were the Overall Winners of the Harvest Moon Regatta, which they came back to win overall again in 2006 and in 2012.
These are the highlights but in brief, Scott placed in the top 10 in every major class of National Championships from Sunfish to 60 footers.
In addition to his racing career, he also sailed open oceans. At age 17, he single-handedly sailed a small boat named Sprinter from Galveston to Corpus Christi, without any sea charts. He sailed across the Atlantic Ocean twice, once heading east, and again heading west.
And in 2007, Scott became a United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters Captain. He captained three sailing yachts through the Panama Canal: Erik Oisted’s Angantyr, Bobby Pryor’s Poetry and most recently a 70-foot catamaran, Chamonix, in February 2020.
Scott has introduced thousands of people to the love of sailing aboard Seawolf, a 25’ x 40’ catamaran he custom built himself inside his company’s warehouse. Over the past 12 seasons, Scott has taken over 30,000 people sailing and performed over 700 weddings. He built “Sail With Scott” to be a unique attraction for the DFW metroplex.
Scott was also physically very active throughout his life. He ran 10 marathons, including the prestigious NYC Marathon in 1990, the original Athens, Greece Marathon, as well as four Dallas Marathons.
He was also an avid cyclist with his wife Jan and rode the AIDS 3-Day Ride from Houston to Dallas three times. He completed the HHH Century (100 miles) bike ride in Wichita Falls three times, twice with Jan on a tandem bike. In 2018, Scott, Jan and daughter Chandler hiked and summited Mount Kilimanjaro together.
For most workdays of the past 16 years, Scott looked forward to having lunch with one of his best friends, consultant and confidant: his son, Billy.
Scott is survived by his wife Jan of 47 years, his children Billy and Chandler, his daughter in law Katie, his granddaughters Elliott, Julia, Alexandra and Isla, and his soon to be son-in-law, Matthew Tinley. He is also survived by his older brother Fred, his wife Suellen and their children, and sister Becky Doody, her husband Jack and their children.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Scott’s honor to Women-In-Need (http://www.wintexas.org).
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