February 16th, 2011
J/111 One-Design & Racing Update
(Newport, RI)- Launched just over 6 months ago, the new J/111 has rapidly achieved significant momentum worldwide. With over sixty boats ordered from 10 countries, one-design fleets are already forming in Canada (Nova Scotia), USA (Midwest and New England) and England (the Solent) with more to come.
J/111 events in America are slated to start in summer 2011, starting with the renowned Rolex Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, then Chester Race Week in Halifax, the Chicago-Mackinac Race and the Harbor Springs Ugotta Regatta in the Midwest. By fall, the Solent-based UK J/111s plan to sail the Garmin Hamble Winter Series. Things will really kick into gear in 2012 with a USA and European class schedule culminating in the first North American and European championships.
Several J/111 owners are planning to sail major offshore events in 2011 either as crewed or double-handed teams, including the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Gotland Runt Race in Sweden and the Rolex RORC Caribbean 600 Race. Included in the mix will be the classic California “north-south” races like the Cabo Race, Puerto Vallarta Race, Ensenada Race and the La Paz Race. And, on the East Coast of America owners are sailing the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race and the Stamford-Vineyard Race.
The J/111 owners are already putting their boats to the test in a wide variety of sailing conditions and finding the boat to be exceptionally fast in both light and heavy winds. Early race results are promising with a debut victory at Key West Race Week, and local wins in England, New Zealand and the USA under varying handicap systems. The J/111 is exceeding its “speedster” billing with several owners having now clocked average speeds over 18 knots (top speed 23.1 knots).
In order to meet the high global demand, new J/111 production has expanded to Europe with JB Composites of France expected to launch their first boats this spring. This added build capacity permits the J/111 class to grow faster and stronger throughout Europe and also allows CCF Composites, the Bristol, RI based American J/111 builder, to meet the strong demand for J/111s in America. Production at CCF is now at four J/111s per month. For more J/111 one-design sailboat information
NEW J/108 @ Miami Show
Visit Slip #24-B At Miamarina/ Bayside Feb 17-21
(Miami, FL)- If you’re ready to experience the ultimate freedom machine, don’t hesitate to head for Miami, enjoy a bit of sunshine and beautiful Florida weather, and check out the latest of J’s shoal-performance cruisers/ daysailers- the J/108. The weather forecast is spectacular- sunny, 70s daytime, 50s night-time, gentle breeze form southeast.
With proven performance on all points of sail, the J/108 demonstrates that you really can “have your cake and eat it, too”! The J/108s “finger-tip control” in demanding weather conditions or simply maneuvering in shoal waters instills confidence and, combined with its beautiful, comfortable, spacious interior, considerably expands your cruising range for a 35 foot sailboat– dare venture where few other sailboats can go! For more Miami Boatshow information. Learn more about the J/108 shoal-performance sailboat here.
J/22 Midwinters & Women’s Rolex Campaigns Start
Week of J/22 Racing at Davis Island YC
(Tampa, FL– Feb 17)– J/22 racers from around North America are flocking to Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL for a week of competition on the bay. From Thursday, February 24 through Saturday, February 26, approximately 30 J/22s will battle it out for the title of 2011 Layline J/22 Midwinter Champion. The fleet boasts a number of acclaimed racers, so everyone is expecting a close match throughout the event. Weather forecasters are predicting a sunny, warm week to welcome sailors escaping from the winter weather.
Preceding the J/22 Midwinter Championship, the first Road to Rolex clinic on the 2011 calendar will be held February 21-22. Two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow, an accomplished match racer and 2008 Olympian, will lead the women-only clinic. Registration on Monday, February 21, is followed by boat rigging with industry experts on hand to assist. The afternoon’s on-the-water session will be filmed for review during a working dinner that evening. Tuesday, February 22, the clinic will resume on-the-water. A break at noon for a debrief will precede the short race series in the afternoon which will determine the clinic winner who receives a $200 credit toward her entry fee in the Rolex IWKC. A debrief, reception and awards will close out the clinic. Organized in preparation for US SAILING’s 2011 Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, the Road to Rolex clinics facilitate the participation of women in keelboat racing.
It’s not too late to participate in either of these events! Visit http://www.j22mw.com to register and for updated results throughout the week.
J/80 Rocks SAILING WORLD!
(Newport, RI)- The final day of racing at last year’s J/80 Worlds in Newport, RI produced fantastic opportunities for sailing photographers to capture the essence of sailing a high-performance sport boat in epic sailboat racing conditions- ginormous, breaking waves, 18-30 knots winds from the southwest, and clear, azure blue skies with torn-cotton shaped clouds scudding across the horizon. When other 20-32 foot sport-boats stop racing at 22 knots, the J/80s RULE!! And, of course, have a LOT of fun sailing on such spectacular days— where men are men and women are women and have a blast! Just ask Mr. J/80 France, Bruno Trouble, what it’s like to sail in up to 30 knot winds! Bruno and his crew (average age of 64 years old), sailing COYOTE/ JURASSIC PARK, LOVED it and sailed every race, often finishing in the top 15!
One of those sailing photographers at the event, Paul Todd from Outside Images New Zealand, captured some remarkable photos, many of them memorialized in his J/80 coffee table book that you can buy from Blurb.com. Here’s another photo from that epic day of bashing, crashing and flying off the waves– it’s New York YC members Henry Brauer and Stuart Johnstone on the J/80 RASCAL screaming into the finish line of the last race. Get Sailing World’s March issue on the news-stands now- http://www.sailingworld.com
Bream Leading J/24 Midwinters
(Tampa, FL)- As part of its “J-One-Design Fest Month” at Davis Island YC, the club is hosting not just the J/24 Pan Am Trials and J/24 Midwinters, but J/22 Midwinters and the J/22 Rolex Women’s World Clinic, too! A busy bunch they are in Tampa, FL.
After 6 races, Peter Bream from Jacksonville, FL racing TEAM TARHEEL is winning the J/24 Midwinter Championship with just 7 points, counting three first and two seconds in his score after six races. Conditions range from 5 to 12 knots with tight mark roundings and aggressive starts. Lying second is John Mollicone sailing the “green” boat, 11th HOUR RACING/ SAILORS FOR THE SEA with 13 points. Third Rossi Milev on ORANGE BLOSSOM/ CLEAN AIR, another “green” boat. Fourth is class veteran and wise man, Tony Parker sailed the remarkable BANGOR PACKET from Washington, DC with 30 points. Fifth is Robby Brown on USA 799 with 35 points. The racing is tight and it remains to be seen if Peter Bream and crew can maintain their incredible fast, dominating pace and strong tactics. Five races remain to be sailed with a late afternoon cutoff time on Thursday, Feb 16. Follow the J/24 Midwinters sailing results live from the water here.