J/80 Worlds Update
(Kiel, Germany)- The German J/80 class is expecting a sizable and competitive fleet to compete in the World Championship off Kiel from 4th through 10th July. While German and Danish teams have already filed their entries, the number of teams from the South of Europe continues to rise. Furthermore, the patronage for the up-coming J/80 World Championship has been taken over by the President of Schleswig-Holstein, Torsten Albig, himself a member of Kieler Yacht-Club.
“The J/80 class is developing very differently in the various countries. It all depends on class membership structures”, says Andreas Rose, President of the German Class Association. “The Bremen and Kiel fleets, in particular, have seen substantial developments. Newcomers are always welcome to learn from the class leaders regards technique and sail trim. Joint training sessions like “Go4Speed” is offered by the German Sailing Association— this particular program make teams work together to increase their performances – and social evenings prove just how well this approach works.”
It remains to be seen who will get the title this summer, as there are no clear favourites. With a view to the entries so far, Rose is expecting perfectly prepared teams, especially the teams from France and Spain that sail throughout the winter season. There may also be surprises in store from the Great Britain teams, and Denmark, too, has grown a strong fleet over the past couple of years.
On shore, the sailors will be able to enjoy an extraordinary variety of drinks and food near the Sailors Lounge (Vaasa hall). Plus, the RWE baker’s shop will send out lovely smelling wafts of freshly baked waffles: The RWE conglomerate is the second largest electricity and gas supplier in Germany and is a sponsor of the J/80 World Championship. In addition, the J/80 World Championship organizers are grateful for additional sponsors such as HELLY-HANSEN, Sailmakers Faber + Münker, and Pantaenius Insurance.
The J/80 Worlds will start on Saturday, 4th July with registration and measurement and races commence on Monday through Friday, with up to three races being scheduled each day.
As the J/80 Worlds’ media partner, the “Segler-Zeitung“ (SZ) magazine will issue daily reports on races and current rankings after providing extensive coverage in the lead-up to the event. For more J/80 World Championship sailing information
J/24 Europeans Preview
(Crouesty de Arzon, France)- Following their famous spring regatta held this past weekend, the YC Crouesty de Arzon will have had more than enough practice to look after the aggressive European J/24 fleet that is just about to setup camp on their docks for the next edition of the J/24 European Championship being hosted from June 6th to 13th.
Forty boats from seven European countries (France, Ireland, Hungary, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Greece) will be participating, including representatives from the USA and Brazil. What is all the more remarkable is that this year’s fleet will be one of the strongest fields in a number of years and, even more amazing is that it’s happening on the west coast of France on the Bay of Biscay.
While the J/24s may not be seen as a hotbed of talent in France for decades, the J/24 class has produced some of their best offshore sailors in the Figaro, IMOCA 60 and multihull world. Top French teams include Patrick Ravel’s BOLERO and a top J/80 team that normally sails with Luc Nadal (their 24 is called ANTHOLOGIE). From Germany there will be several leading teams, such as Frithjof Jade’s JJ ONE, Frederik Schonfeldt’s HENK, and J Huhn’s HUNGRIGER WOLF. Not surprisingly, top Italian talent like current J/24 National Championship leader Ignacio Bonanno on LA SUPERBA will be joining the competition. The fun-loving and fast Irish team sailing HARD ON PORT, skippered by Frank O’Driscoll, will ensure their Irish contingent are contenders. Several UK teams are making their crossing of the English Channel underwater (Chunnel or ferry?), including Andrew Taylor’s HITCHHIKER, Dave Cooper’s JAWBREAKER, and Roger Morris’ JOLLY ROGER. One of the top Greek teams will be making the trek from the far side of the Mediterranean, the team of Andre Nikolaidsis & D Altsiadis on EVNIKI.
Finally, a top USA J/24 team from Rochester, New York- Mike Ingham and gang- will be hopping across the North Atlantic to reinforce the strong European field. Topping it all off with regards to talent and experience will surely be multiple World and South American Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz sailing the mighty BRUSCHETTA with partners King and Revore. For more J/24 Europeans sailing information
J/Day III Chicago Announcement
(Chicago, Illinois)- Starting with a fun formula and simply making it better has been the theme of the latest “J/Fest” regatta in Chicago- it’s called “J/Day III.” Stearns Boating, Skyway Yacht Works and Columbia Yacht Club are inviting all J sailors of all types and stripes to join them for a one-day free-for-all on June 27th, Saturday. All J/Boats are welcome, J/22s to J/160s and everything in between!
The 2014 edition of J/Day was a great success with gorgeous weather and lots of fun activities. Once again, the sailing will be in the outer harbor right off the Aquarium and Planetarium. It will once again be crazy fun racing for all.
While some boats will opt to sail normal windward-leeward courses, the day features a pursuit race and a race with water balloons and Frisbee tosses adding or subtracting from your finish times. It is all about having fun with the family and a break from the hard core racing of the summer.
“This year,” says Steve Kindra (from Skyway Yacht Works), “we want to make one of the races where kids drive and really start to include the family into the mix!”
According to Rich Stearns (of Stearns Boating), “Last year, we had over a dozen boats participating, from J/70s to a J/133. The courses were 1 mile in length and because of the weather, we were able to race inside the outer break-wall, just outside the harbor mouth. That was the first time anyone had raced inside the wall – other than the Junior Sailors!”
Steve added, “This year we will have 3 sponsors – HARKEN, KANBERRA GEL, and PETTIT PAINT. Rich and I are providing the food and refreshments and the sponsors are providing very generous prizes, including Nautica watches, Pettit Paint, HARKEN hardware and hats and rum-drinks kinda stuff. Kanberra Gel is providing promotional items including a 2 oz gel for signing up at the skippers meeting.”
For more information, please contact Rich Stearns (cell 847-404-2209/ rich@stearnsboating.com) or Steve Kindra (ph# 847-638-0010 or info@skywayyachtworks.com). For more J/Day Chicago sailing information
J/80 Campeonato de Espana Preview
(Sotogrande, Spain)- The Spanish J/80 teams are all looking forward to their annual national championship- the XIX Campeonato de Espana from June 3rd to 6th being hosted by Club Nautico Bevelle. At least 28 boats are registered for the event to be sailed in Sotogrande waters with teams representing every major fleet across the country, including Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Galicia, Murcia and the Basque Country.
The Race Committee, chaired by the Andalusian Arianne Mainemare and his team, plans to have at least nine windward-leeward races over the three-day weekend.
In addition to the tile of the Campion de Espana, there will be special MUSTO Sotogrande Performance Awards given to the three best teams in Spanish J/80 sailing.
One of the early favorites must be BRIBON MOVISTAR sailed by Marc de Antonio and Sofia Bertrand, top sailors from Andalusian waters. They are in top form just one week after clinching a victory in the J/80 Copa de Espana held in Murcia the previous weekend. Along with them, other favorites are the new champions of Andalusia- DA BRUNO skippered by Pepequín Orbaneja and Juan Luis Paez (they are considered to be “local” knowledge in Sotogrande). In addition to these two teams, two other crews that should be considered clear favorites are Carlos Martinez’s AKEWULE and, of course, the World Champion Hugo Rocha sailing NEW TERRITORIES. Please see a nicely published video of their Copa de Espana here
https://vimeo.com/128708430
For more J/80 Campeonato de Espana sailing information
Cronulla J/24 Short Course Regatta Preview
(Sydney, Australia)- The Macquart Marine Cronulla J/24 Short Course Regatta is on for the 6-8 June 2015 (Queens Birthday long weekend). This was a brilliantly run and enjoyable regatta last year and Cronulla Sailing Club are planning to get 20 boats this year so come and enjoy the hospitality and ocean sailing at Cronulla! With over sixteen entries to date, it’s going to be a fun and incredibly competitive event consider that more than the usual suspects and ex-convicts are all showing up!
Amongst those “in the know”, it would appear that Ladbroke’s Betting Parlour in downtown Sydney would give about even odds that Hugo Ottaway’s BRUSCHETTA VI crew of “non-posers” will be amongst the leaders. One might also lay close to even odds that even Simon Grain’s rabid mob aboard KAOTIC will have more than their fair share of fun in social festivities and might even acquit themselves on the water. It remains to be seen if Jared Macquart’s MACQUART MARINE crew are up to the task of giving these two boats a run for the money; the same could be said for Julie McKay’s McKAY MARINE team. One hopes to see Lia Darby’s STARPAC make a go of it and perhaps finish “in the chocolates”! The ticker tape and time will tell on this group of social media darlings soon! To see photos from last year, check them out here. For more J/24 Sydney Short Course Regatta sailing information
J/Sailing News
The Sun Never Sets on J’s Sailing Worldwide
It was a busy week of sailing out off the west coast of America. The California Yacht Club held their California Race Week for one-design fleets of J/70s, J/80s and J/109s. Then not far from them south of Los Angeles, the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club co-hosted their fun Round Catalina Island Race that saw a J/125 enjoy the fast reaching conditions. Jumping over to the East Coast, Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Hampton, Virginia hosted their increasingly popular Southern Bay Race Week for fleets of J/24s, J/70s, J/80s and J/105s. Then, north of the border, the Port Credit YC in Ontario held their first major offshore event of the summer season on Lake Ontario, the Susan Hood Trophy Race; an event thoroughly enjoyed by an armada of J/105s, J/109s, J/92, J/120 and J/30.
Over in the European theater, the Italian J/24 class hosted their National Championship in Cala Galera with the help of Club Nautico and Argentario Sailing. Then, up along the southern shore of Great Britain, the RORC held the “Fastnet practice race”, the Myth of Malham Race that had nice performances from the J/122, J/109, J/105 and J/120.
Read on! The J/Community and Cruising section below has many entertaining stories and news about J/Sailors as well as cruising blogs about those who continue to enjoy the Caribbean and the South Pacific, staying warm while others are trying to stay warm up north. Check them out! More importantly, if you have more J/Regatta News, please email it or upload onto our J/Boats Facebook page! Below are the summaries.
Regatta & Show Schedules:
Jun 3-6- J/80 Campeonato de Espana- Sotogrande, Spain
Jun 5- RORC de Guingand Bowl- Cowes, IOW, England
Jun 6-8- Cronulla J/24 Short Course Regatta- Sydney, Australia
Jun 6-13- J/24 Europeans- Arzon, France
Jun 11-13- J/Cup Regatta- Cowes, IOW, England
Jun 12-14- NYYC Annual Regatta- Newport, RI
Jun 12-14- Cleveland Race Week- Cleveland, OH
Jun 12-14- Chicago NOOD Regatta- Chicago, IL
Jun 12-14- Italian J/70 Alcatel OneTouch #3- Cervia, Italy
Jun 15-19- J/111 World Championship- Newport, RI
Jun 21-26- Block Island Race Week- Block Island, RI
Jun 21-26- J/109 North Americans- Block Island, RI
Jun 25-28- Kieler Woche- Kiel, Germany
Jun 26-Jul 5- Delta Week 2015- Grevelingen, The Netherlands
Jun 26-28- Long Beach Race Week- Long Beach, CA
Jun 27- JP Morgan Round Island Race- Cowes, IOW- England
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
J/70 MINOR THREAT Blitzes Cal Race Week
J/109 ELECTRA’FIES Class
(Marina del Rey, California)- California YC expected to have a good turn-out for its one-design and PHRF handicap classes and they were not disappointed by the high-rate of participation across the board. In addition to the J/70, J/80 and J/109 classes, there was good competition in the PHRF fleets.
The J/70 class in SoCal continue to see teams “flip-flop” positions from regatta to regatta as each team makes improvements either in their crew or their ability to technically sail their boats better. This time, it was local hotshot sailor from California YC, Jeff Janov, skippering MINOR THREAT that took the class with a 5-2-1-2-2 record for 12 pts. Giving them a serious go until their final race “brain fade” was Craig Tallman’s JAYA team from Kings Harbor YC, accumulating a 2-1-2-3-6 for 14 pts to hang on to second place. Third was Karl Pomeroy’s ZERO TO 60 crew from Newport Harbor YC with a 3-7-5-1-4 tally for 20 pts. Rounding out the top five was Justin Kromelow’s LOOSE LUCY from St Francis YC in San Francisco, the top non-SoCal boat and fifth was Steve Wyman’s NUNUHUNU from Dana Point YC.
With most of SoCal’s top J/109s in attendance, no one expected a complete “schooling” on how to get a J/109 properly around the race track. However, that is exactly what happened as Tom Brott’s Santa Barbara YC crew sailed ELECTRA to a shocking 3-1-1-1-2 tally for a mere 8 pts. The next trio of boats were in for a fight for their lives to grab a podium finish. The role players in that story were Alice Leahey’s GRACE O’MALLEY, Bryce Benjamin’s PERSISTENCE and John Shulze’s LINSTAR. After a slow start, Benjamin’s PERSISTENCE lived up to her name and closed with a convincing 2-1 tally to take the 18 pts tie-breaker over Shulze’s LINSTAR. After winning the first race and holding 2nd after the first day, O’Malley’s crew couldn’t hold it together on the last day, posting a 5-7 to drop into 4th. Fifth was Nelson’s SPRAY from host California YC.
In the SoCal J/80 orbit, defending champion Curt Johnson skippering AVET from the hometown Cal YC managed a “three-peat” with all bullets. In second was David Angers’ MISS DEMEANOR and third was Peter Boland & Erik Pavelka’s ACQUE VELOCE.
Making a go of it in the PHRF handicap world offshore was be Glenn Griley’s J/111 STAMPEDE from King’s Harbor YC. It was a rough weekend for this top crew, having placed well in a number of events in the previous months but having to hold onto a fourth for this regatta. For more Cal Race Week sailing information
J/Teams Tour’de’force @ Susan Hood Race
(Port Credit, Ontario, Canada)- As anticipated, the J/109s continued to show their tremendous performance in both the PHRF and IRC Divisions in this year’s Susan Hood Trophy Race. Plus, the J/105s continued to show their versatility by sailing fast offshore and collecting more silverware along the way, too!
Starting in the IRC Divisions, it was Murray Gainer’s J/109 LIVELY from Toronto, Ontario that again collected more silverware for their trophy rooms with a 2nd in IRC 1 class against the best boats that Lake Ontario has to offer. In IRC 2 class, the J/92 SWITCH sailed by Andrew Sharp from Olcott YC in New York also grabbed silver followed by classmate Leszek Siek taking 5th overall with his J/35 JAEGER.
It was in the PHRF classes where the J’s really cleaned house. In the PHRF FS-FC1 Class was past race winner, Bob Eckersley’s J/109 BLUE STREAK from Toronto again taking class honors with a runaway 1st place. They were followed by Michael Pietz’s J/35 SHORTHANDED in second place and then in fourth place was Graham Tom’s J/120 THE CAT CAME BACK.
In FS-FC2 class was a quartet of fearless J/105 teams. They were all led home by Peter Wolniak’s ANOTHER HAZARD followed in third by Geoff Clarke’s CASUAL ELEGANCE.
Finally, in the PHRF No flying sails division, the J/30 NORTH CAUGHT sailed by Wendy Northcotte took fourth overall. For more Susan Hood Trophy Race sailing information
J/122 RORC Myth of Malham Race Winner!
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Over the Bank Holiday Weekend, a tense, tactical and complex yacht race played out along the south coast of England. 141 yachts, racing in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Myth of Malham Race, enjoyed a dress rehearsal for the start of this year’s famous Rolex Fastnet Race. The Western Solent was a magnificent sight with over a hundred spinnakers flying, heading for the Eddystone Lighthouse, off Plymouth Sound.
A light gradient breeze from the north of just 5 knots was enhanced by a developing sea breeze causing erratic wind speed for the starters. Judging the line was extremely difficult but those that succeeded were rewarded with clear air and room to adjust heading, making the best use of the gusts. A windless trap off Lymington was the next hurdle to pass, before cracking sheets for a beam reach along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, heading for the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth Sound.
The complex tidal flow along the 229-mile coastal course was a crucial part of the race. Before sundown on the first day, the larger high performance yachts seemed to have the upper hand, enjoying an advantage of water line length in positive tide, as well as rig height and sail choice more suited to light airs reaching. However, several smaller yachts made the crucial tidal gate at Portland Bill to stay in touch with the larger rivals. During the first night and the second day, light airs persisted and with the high performance yachts not able to achieve planing speed, the smaller yachts were in with a chance of overall victory.
36 yachts were racing in IRC Two and the winner by 12 minutes on corrected time was Andy Theobald’s J/122 R&W. “The J/122 is a new boat for us and we are delighted with the boat speed, we chose to start on the island shore and stay away from the carnage at the pin end and in clear air we got away well. However, we knew we could not make Portland Bill before the tide changed, so we stayed offshore and found plenty of breeze, so it was a great start to the race. We did hit a big hole in the wind off Lyme Bay, which was frustrating, but a pod of about a dozen or so dolphins were all around us, we could hear their blow holes and that cheered us up no-end, especially for Christine Allen, who was taking part in her first offshore. The crew on R&W is a mixture of the team from our previous Sigma 362 and people who work for my R&W Civil Engineering business. It is really encouraging for newcomers to offshore racing to do so well and see such a fantastic sight as dolphins in the wild.”
In IRC 1, David Ballantyne’s J/133 JINGS took seventh in class. Amongst the massive fleet of 43 starters in IRC 3 Class were 20 J/Teams sailing both J/105s and J/109s— fully 50% of the class! Leading all IRC 3 J sailors home was Richard Palmer’s J/109 JANGADA TOO, taking 7th on IRC handicap. Literally, minutes behind them was Chris Palmer’s J/109 J’T’AIME in 8th. First J/105 was Simon Curwen’s VOADOR in 10th place.
There were thirty starters in the Two-handed class and the J/105s faired well there, too. Curwen’s VOADOR took those honors as well with a 6th in class followed by Nick Martin’s DIABLO-J. For more RORC Myth of Malham Race sailing information
Round Catalina Island Race Report
(Los Angeles, CA)- Every Memorial Day since 1981 sailors in southern California have competed in the Around Catalina Island Race. Catalina Island, located about 22 miles from the coast, has been a long time destination for celebrities, tourists and adventure seekers who want to explore the somewhat rugged terrain. The sailing community utilizes the island for its’ secluded coves, world class diving, fishing, and as a mark on the race course. Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails Newport Beach provides the following report:
“Of the many races that circumnavigate Catalina Island in one way or another, the Around Catalina Race is one of my favorites.
Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club share the hosting responsibilities making this joint venture even more popular. This race starts inside the harbor, exits Angels Gate, around Catalina and finishes in Dana Point.
There are a few segments to this race and each year I try to improve on my decisions since experience plays a huge role in what we do. We are gearing up for Transpac on the J-125 Timeshaver and this was the final race before we finish boat preparations and start in July. First decision was how far west to go before committing to crossing the channel. We made a few tacks up the breakwater to cover my long time nemesis on Horizon, Erik Shampain. Once again, I did what I said I would not do. We went another quarter mile and paid the price as we found ourselves in a huge header half way over.
Crossing to Catalina this time was beautiful. Good weather and decent breeze saw us arrive at the West End of the island no later than 4pm. Could this be a quick race?
Our approach to the island was less than desirable but we worked hard to make up the distance. We switched from our light headsail and into the heavy number one headsail. This was great practice for Transpac since this is the first five hours of that race!
Getting around the West End can be tricky. The wind can get very light and San Clemente Island can have a huge effect on wind direction and velocity. We found ourselves jib reaching for a few minutes. We then set some other reaching sails and into the big 2A spinnaker. More importantly, we were having a good time. The backside of the island gives off a calmness and acts as a barrier to all that is busy on the mainland.
People always ask me what I like about sailing and my answer usually includes the J-125. Wind was approaching 20 kts and we were finally getting into what I really liked, planning. Not many boats can break free like the J-125 and it is an experience all to itself. The feeling is sensational and you can tell by the smiles that we are truly experiencing something exceptional.
Part of what makes this race so inviting is the scenery. You will usually find yourself sailing away from the East End of Catalina Island as the sun is setting. This can really set the stage for a beautiful sunset. In our case we were focused on the Horizon team which we were closing in on relatively quickly.
Horizon has a great team under the leadership of Erik and John Shampain and it was to no surprise that they waited until just after sunset to make their turn towards Dana Point. We do the same and in the process lose our visual sight of them. The clear night meant that Horizon’s running lights blended into the busy Southern California coastline.
We thought we liked our position for the final push to the finish. Unfortunately as we closed in on the 5 mile check in we realized this might not have been the way to go. Around eleven pm we passed a boat so fast we thought it was a cruiser coming back from Catalina. The mystery boat ended up being Horizon who was stuck in a hole.
Fast-forward an hour and they pass us as we get stuck in a hole about 200 yards from the finish line. Passing lanes were open now and Flaca, another SC-50, took full advantage and passed both Horizon and us!
Frustration turned into words as we all crossed the finish line. I think the Horizon guys were feeling more frustrated than us since they seemed to have a sure thing only to lose it in the final moments.
In the end, it was another fun race and a learning experience. We are truly feeling confident about the 2015 Transpac and are looking forward to getting the boat on the step again. Third in class for Around Catalina Island, not bad!” Please watch their J/125 sailing video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
For more J/125 Around Catalina Island race sailing information
LA SUPERBA Commands Italian J/24 National Series
(Cala Galera, Italy)- After the first two days of competition in which more than thirty crews completed six races in the waters off Cala Galera/ Porto Ercole, LA SUPERBA is now leading the XXXV edition of the J/24 Championship organized by Club Nautico and Argentario Sailing.
Ignazio Bonanno’s crew on LA SUPERBA are leading with a 7 pts net total due to a 1-2-1-1-2-8 scoreline. They are followed by the German ROTOMAN team led by the President of the German J/24 Class J24 Jan-Marc Ulrich and skippered by Tobias Feneherdt that have 13 pts net due to a 4-10-2-2-3-2 scorecard). In third was past Open J/24 Italian champion Keith Whittemore from Seattle, Washington sailing FURIO with a 9-3-5-6-1-1 tally for 16 pts net. The racing is close and there is little room for error amongst the top boats!
On the Italian Championship side of the ledger, it was JAMAICA skippered by Italian J/24 Class President Peter Diamonte that was second with 23 pts net due to a 21-1-4-9-6-3 record. They are followed by defending champion MOLLICONA, skippered by Massimiliano Biagini and Giacomo Carrara, with 27 points from a 7-7-6-3-14-4 scoreline.
“The first day was marked by high pressure weather that brought plenty of sunshine and a light wind Sirocco, beginning around 5-8 knots, then increased to 10-12 knots,” explained Massimo Mariotti. “In the first race LA SUPERBA came off the line almost immediately ahead of the group and finished the race with a big gap on the rest of fleet.” The second race, however, was won by JAMAICA that beat LA SUPERBA by a few meters, as well as the fast closing Americans on FURIO. In the third race, the wind rose to 12 knots and the winner was LA SUPERBA, followed by the German ROTOMAN team and Giuliano Cattarozzi’s team on INDAFARA.
The next day of sailing was marked by even more beautiful weather, with winds initially from the South. Ultimately, the breeze turned into a “Libeccio” with increasing intensity (in the first race around 6-8 knots and increasing to 10-12 knots in the following). The ideal weather conditions made it possible to play all three scheduled races: the first was won by LA SUPERBA, then followed by the Germans in ROTOMAN and the Americans in FURIO. The second race was led by FURIO followed by LA SUPERBA and ROTOMAN. It was also a good race for AVOLTORE helmed by the young champion from Porto San Stefano- Ettore Botticinis who finished fourth. The sixth and final round of the regatta saw an exciting duel between the last race winner Whittemore on FURIO and Tobias on ROTOMAN, with the former getting the better of the latter. They were followed by JAMAICA and Mollicona’s AVOLTORE. The Italian J/24 Championship consists of four days of racing and ends this coming weekend. For more J/24 Italian National Championship sailing information.
J/Teams Enjoy Southern Bay Week
(Hampton, VA)- As it has evolved over the course of the past few years, more sailors are discovering the fun time being had by those who have participated in Southern Bay Race Week. The event was hosted by Fishing Bay YC down in Hampton, Virginia from May 29th to 31st and features one-design racing for J/24s and J/70s as well as PHRF handicap classes in both random-leg and around-the-buoys course.
On the one-design side of things, the J/70s fielded a compact but highly competitive fleet. After an all-out nine-race duel, it was the husband/wife duo of Jenn & Ray Wulff on JOINT CUSTODY that took the J/70 crown for the weekend. After tossing their worst race (a 3rd), the Wulff’s won with a 12 pts net scoreline— simply counting all 1sts and 2nds. Not far off the mark was Tom Bowen’s REACH AROUND, posting an equally impressive record but having to offset a first race 5th to stay in contention to grab second overall. Third was Latane Montague’s FULL MONTY, having achieved that remarkable position by winning the first race, posting some good mid-fleet scores and even finishing last one race!
The J/24s essentially survived a thorough bushwhacking from Ron Medlin’s BASH, winning all but the last race to win by a zillion points (8 pts net to be exact). A country furlong behind and caught in a three-way rat race for second was Mike Veraldi’s QUICKY. After surviving a 6th race DSQ, they hung on to grab the silver by one point over Alan Bomar’s ROUNDABOUT (Yes!?) that also suffered some ignominious scores like a RET & DNC to hold onto the bronze.
In the world of PHRF racing, a number of J/Teams sailed extremely well. On the PHRF Racing divisions, Craig Wright’s J/109 AFTERTHOUGHT took first in PHRF A class with a commanding 1-2-2-3-3.5-5 for 11.5 pts net. Other J’s that finished in the top eight included Vernon Eberwine’s J/36 SEA STAR in 6th, Sam Mitchener’s J/109 DOUBLE EAGLE in 7th and Phil Briggs’ J/36 FEATHER in 8th.
The PHRF B class saw Ben Weeks & Michele Cochran’s J/29 RUMBLE snare second overall followed by Rusty Burshell’s J/30 COOL CHANGE. In sixth was Ryan McCrillis’ J/80 HAKA.
The PHRF Cruising divisions saw Jim Chapman’s J/37 JENERAL’S LADY in 6th in Cruising I and in Cruising II it was Andrew Arola’s J/24 NU POGODI! taking the silver. For more Southern Bay Race Week sailing information
J/Community
What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
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* The most recent J/70 fleet to form is in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The YC Punta del Este has ten boatsthat were recently delivered and commissioned for the club and its owners. Over the last weekend of May, theUruguayan J/Distributor, Pedro Garra of Montevideo, organized a training clinic. Will Welles of North Sails One-Design Group led the three-day program that was blessed with the most extraordinary “winter” weather anyone could imagine in Punta at this time of year.
While it would not be unusual to have gales, high 40s F and horizontal rain at this time of year for a city that has hosted many Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races, this past weekend was the happy exception. Situated not far north of the famous Cape Horn and the Antarctic Circle (and due east of Buenos Aires, Argentina), Punta instead served up simply spectacular weather for over five days. While penguins, sea lions and pups were frolicking in the harbor (yes, penguins from Antarctica), the J/70s were sailing in awesome “shirts & shades” weather.
The training program entailed an overview of tuning onshore and evening reviews by Welles followed by 2.5 days of on-the-water short course racing and coaching by a cast of local talent that included Welles, Stu Johnstone and “Chato” from YCPE. Coverage of the event was also provided by “Norbi” at El Faro sailing TV (see http://www.elfaro.tv).
* Scott Grealish’s J/88 BLUE FLASH won their class in convincing fashion and nearly pulled off the overall win in the Newport to Ensenada Race. Kerry Poe of North Sails Oregon offers some fresh, challenging new ideas on how to sail fast offshore:
“Once again I had the pleasure to sail with Scott Grealish and crew Andrew Haliburton, Chris Thomson and Sean Grealish, on the J-88, Blue Flash. This was the first time any of us had done the 125-mile Newport to Ensenada race. The conditions proved to be challenging requiring constant sail adjustments and sail changes to keep the boat moving at optimum speed. Blue Flash is well prepared with double asymmetric tack lines on the sprit for sail changes, another fixed point on the sprit for the highly loaded Code 0’s and a pad eye on the deck for the furling windseeker/spinnaker staysail. I believe one of the keys to our success was our ability and willingness to make sail changes. Bowman Chris Thomson claims he did more sail changes in that race then he has done in all of his racing combined. Chris and Sean did a great job of not only doing the sail changes, but also not complaining when it was time to do another and another and another. We used a light/medium jib, windseeker, A1, A2, large code 0 and small code 0. We probably had each one of those sails up at least 3 times each.
For this race, we had a specialty/experimental small code 0 built. Many of the modern race boats have non-overlapping jibs with swept aft spreaders and a wide shroud base. When the wind gets light and when you are sailing slightly cracked off from closed hauled, until you can put up a free- flying sail, the boat benefits having a large overlapping headsail. However, that would require a rating hit. In order to have a larger sail for tight sailing angles, the weapon of choice is the code 0 which is measured as a free-flying downwind sail. In order to measure as a free-flying sail the mid -girth has to be at least 75% of the foot length, and the sail must have no battens and a free-flying luff. The code 0 has a low stretch luff line that is put on the winch and tightened to reduce luff sag. It is usually flown on a stand-alone furler. The large code 0 sheets around the shrouds and is fairly deep, thus supporting the large spinnaker-like roach. Since the sail sheets around the wide spreaders and is fairly full, the sail does not sail to weather very well. We felt like we needed a better sail for very light upwind beating conditions. The idea that Scott Grealish, Rod Johnston, Dave Hirsch and I came up with was a code 0 that is flown at the end of the 6′ 10″ sprit and sheets to the jib track and in front of the spreaders. The sail could not be as flat as a jib or the battenless positive roach would just flap. The shape had to be as flat as possible but still deep enough to support the roach.
| 243 sq feet | 429 sq feet | 556 sq feet |
Jib |
Small Code 0 |
Large Code 0 |
The sail was built just in time for the race. Unfortunately, we did not have anytime to try it out before the race so we just went for it. We were able to sail about a 55 TWA with a gain of 76% bigger sail than the largest headsail. Our angles were deeper than a standard jib, but the difference in boat speed more than made up for it. The sail was also very useful as a blast reacher. Since the sail is on a furler at the end of the sprit, it was very easy going back and forth between it and the headsail.
The perpetual trophy was an actual working signal cannon. The best part of the trip was Chris calling TSA to ask if we could bring a cannon on the plane with us. TSA asked if it was a working cannon, which he explained that it was. The TSA agent than asked if everybody won a cannon, which Chris replied that “hell no, just us”. The agent said he had to talk to his superiors and call us back. He called back and congratulated us and said bring it on board.”
J/Cruisers
J Cruisers continue their adventures around the world, below are a selection of most excellent “blogs” written by their prolific publishers. Some terribly amusing anecdotes and pearls of wisdom are contained in their blogs. Read some! You’ll love it.
* The J/40 HERON REACH sailed by Virginia and Jerry is participating in the Blue Planet Odyssey project and have recently joined them in the Marquesas Islands in the Eastern Pacific. Learn more about their adventures and experiences here- http://heronreachodyssey.
* J/160 SALACIA has been sailing in Australia in the Whitsunday Islands. Guess who decided to throw themselves across their bow as they cruised comfortably to their next destination? A giant whale! Look at this amazing photo!
* Jim & Heather Wilson just completed a circumnavigation of our “blue planet Earth” in June 2013 on their J/42 CEOL MOR. Said Jim, “The odyssey of CEOL MOR is over, for now. We completed our circumnavigation on our J/42 when we crossed our outbound track in Britannia Bay, Mustique. We were, however, still 2,000 nautical miles from home. So we continued on through the Windwards, the Leewards, and then through the British Virgin Islands. After a farewell ‘Painkiller’ at the Soggy Dollar, and a last meal at Foxy’s, we made the 1,275 nautical mile passage to the Chesapeake and completed our port-to-port circumnavigation when we arrived in Annapolis on June 28, 2013. We had been away 1,334 days, completed 259 days of ocean passages, and sailed 30,349 nautical miles (34,925 statute miles). Read more about their adventures in their well-documented blog here: http://www.svceolmor.com/
* J/160 AVATAR headed for the Caribbean, again! We LOVE these updates from our cruising J sailors that continue to criss-cross the Seven Seas. This one comes from Alan Fougere, sailing his beloved J/160 AVATAR. Alan sent us an email update commenting on their passage south this winter, “In mid-December AVATAR completed her sixth transit to her winter Caribbean home, Grand Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI (seen above) from her home port in Quissett (Falmouth), MA. A crew of three, Captain Alan (e.g. me), Crew Pablo Brissett and Mark Conroy, covered the 1,500 nm trip in in her best time to date- 7 Days 5 Hours, averaging 8.7 kts, that’s about 208 nm per day! Amazing passage it was! Rainbow at right far offshore was some of the amazing phenomenon we experienced on this fast offshore passage.
AVATAR will participate in the BVI Sailing Festival/Regatta again in 2013, where last year she won the Nanny Key Cup Cruising Class race around the Island of Virgin Gorda. Here are some photos for you to share with the J/Community at-large. Enjoy!”
Best, Alan Fougere/ AVATAR
* Bill & Judy Stellin recently had an interview about cruising on their J/42 in the Wall St Journal called “Retiring on the Open Sea”. The Wall St Journal asked Bill to reply to dozens of questions that flooded into the WSJ’s Editor desks. Here’s the update:
Retiring on the Sea: Answering Readers’ Questions
Advice about selecting a boat, ocean crossings, itineraries and safety
The article in our WSJ Online December retirement report about eight years spent sailing the Mediterranean— “Retiring to the Open Sea”— prompted many questions and comments from readers. We asked William Stellin, who wrote the story, to answer some of the most common queries.
WSJ- “What kind and make of boat did you use? Looking back, would you have picked a different boat?”
Bill- “In 1995-96, J/Boats of Newport, RI, came out with a new cruiser/racer model, the J/42. We bought hull No. 6 of this popular 42-foot sailboat and named it JAYWALKER. This was our fourth boat since beginning sailing in 1975.
Although long-distance cruising wasn’t what we had in mind when we purchased JAYWALKER, it soon became apparent it had the ability to carry us easily and safely anywhere we wanted to go. Because the boat is light, it sails well in light winds, which means very little motoring is necessary.
People often ask (and argue) about what boat is best for cruising. Any boat that is strong, safe, fast, comfortable and easily handled by two people should fit the bill. One thing for sure, fast is fun—and important when trying to avoid bad weather.”
READ MORE ABOUT BILL’S INSIGHTFUL COMMENTARY AND THOUGHTS ON WSJ ONLINE HERE
* The J/42 JARANA continues their epic voyage around the Pacific. Continue to read about Bill and Kathy Cuffel’s big adventure cruising the South Pacific headed for New Zealand. Their blog is here:http://www.svjarana.blogspot.
* John and Mary Driver are sailing their J/130 SHAZAM for extended cruising in the Atlantic basin. At this time, John and Mary finished their double-handed crossing of the Atlantic, landing in Portugal on their J/130 Shazam after completion of their ARC Rally. Read the latest news athttp://www.sailblogs.com/
* Several J/160 owners are island hopping across the world’s oceans, fulfilling life long dreams to cruise the Pacific islands, the Caribbean islands, the Indian Ocean and all points in between. Anyone for Cape Horn and penguins?? Read more about their adventures and escapades (like our J/109 GAIA, J/42s PAX and JAYWALKER and J/130 SHAZAM friends above).
– Bill and Susan Grun on the J/160 AVANTE are also sailing in the Pacific archipelago, read more about their great adventures on their blog (http://web.me.com/susangrun).
– Eric and Jenn on the J/160 MANDALAY also sailed the Pacific archipelago, read more on their blog athttp://www.sailmandalay.com. Eric and Jenn are J/World alumni took MANDALAY up and down the West Coast (Mexico, CA), then to the South Pacific and New Zealand. MANDALAY is back in San Francisco now, and in the J/World fleet–she is available for skippered charters, private instruction, and corporate/executive groups.
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