Wednesday, March 5, 2014

J/70 West Coast Circuit Update

J/70s sailing off start- Santa Barbara, CA
(San Francisco, CA)- The West Coast is getting busy, particularly since the hottest ticket in town is becoming the next boat and crew to qualify for the 2014 J/70 Worlds in Newport.  Fleet growth in San Diego/ Los Angeles in SoCal; in the greater San Francisco Bay area; and in the Pacific Northwest around Seattle, WA has increased dramatically in recent months.

San Francisco Report- from Sail California
“The J/70 class has grown rapidly on San Francisco Bay, with 11 boats already sailing and with more arriving all the time.  Most importantly, the J/70 Fleet 19 has outlined a great series of races that include the World’s qualifiers.”  Here are the events:

  • Mar 8-9- Big Daddy Regatta- Richmond YC
  • Apr 5-6- J/Fest San Francisco Bay- St Francis YC
  • May 17-18- Elite Keelboat Regatta- San Francisco YC (Worlds Qualifier)
  • May 31- Delta Ditch Run- Richmond, CA- Single-handed Sailing Club
  • Jun 27-29- Long Beach Race Week- Alamitos Bay YC (Worlds Qualifier)
  • Jul 19-20- High Sierra Regatta- Fresno YC
  • Aug 16-17- Summer Keelboat Regatta- San Francisco YC
  • Aug 30- Jazz Cup-  SBYC
  • Sep 11-14 Rolex BBS StFYC
  • Oct 25-26 Great Pumpkin RYC
Jan Edney- sailing/ yachting photographer- Seattle, WASeattle Report- from Sail Northwest
“The Pacific Northwest has 3 qualifying spots! J/70 Fleet 17 has 2 qualifying berths at the Seattle NOOD's Regatta and one berth for the Northwest Championship (TBD).

And, if that isn't enough to entice you into competing in the exciting new sportboat fleet that is taking the country by storm you will also have your very own official Pacific N.W. J/70 Worlds photographer following you around the course in Newport, Rhode Island!

Jan Anderson (a renown Seattle yachting photographer) and her boat-boy “Skip” will be on site and making an effort to capture your boat in the excitement of sailing the first ever J/70 Worlds!

The J/70 is exploding in growth worldwide with 86 (nope, this is NOT a typo) boats racing Charleston Race Week. This is nothing short of amazing given that two years ago there were none in existence. J/70’s are reserved through hull #630 as of today! I can only imagine what will happen when McConaghy Boats gets up to speed with their production in China!”  Sailing photo credits- Onne Vanderwal/ Jan Edney