J/120 'Carinthia' Wins Pineapple Cup

Montego Bay, Jamaica - J/120 Carinthia, with an all Bayview, MI crew led by owner Frank Kern, won the overall award in the 2007 Pineapple Cup - Montego Bay race. This classic ocean race is run biennially (on the odd year) under the management of a joint race committee of the Storm Trysail Club, the Montego Bay Yacht Club and the Jamaica Yachting Association. The course from Florida, through the islands of the Bahamas and the Windward Passage to Montego Bay is a classic beat, reach and run, providing different challenges and conditions along the route. Frequently called "ocean racing's most complete test", the "MoBay" Race stretches the seamanship and navigational skills of even the most experienced blue water sailors.

Frank, Colleen and the boys beat an impressive combined PHRF & IRC fleet including several new racing machines like Sjambok, Titan, Blue Yankee and a host of others. Trophies awarded to the Carinthia crew included the Arawak Trophy for the PHRF division win, the Navigators Trophy won by navigator Erik Ryan, and the Pineapple Cup itself for the overall win. Most satisfying to the crew and skipper is the picture that will go on the wall of the club with some great sailors and boats that have won this race before such as Escapade, Tenacious (Ted Turner), Kialoa, Stormy Petrol, and Zephyrus V.... Final Result: 1st in PHRF, 1st Overall .

For a more complete read on the J/120 adventure please visit the Carinthia blog... results can be found at www.montegobayrace.com

J/80 Class Nearing Milestone

Now in its 14th year, the J/80 is in more demand than ever. 45 boats were recently shipped to Spain and another 50 are on order for England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and the States. By year’s end, over 1000 boats will be sailing worldwide. The French Navy selected the J/80 for use at their Naval Academy and sailing clubs, and last year hosted the Military Sailing Championships. The Royal Yachting Association (UK) picked the J/80 as their sole keelboat for training, match-racing and corporate sailing. The Swedish Sailing authority (SSSR) features the J/80 for its match-racing development program, and J World Sailing School uses J/80s at its locations in Annapolis, San Francisco, San Diego, Puerto Vallarta and Stockholm. Class racing is booming and the 2007 J/80 World Championship will be sailed in La Trinite sur Mer, France July 1-7. 70+ boats expected from at least 7 nations.