Chestress 2 Wins Middle Sea Race

Giancarlo Ghislanzoni and his J/133 team scored a victory in Class 3 and a second place Overall in the 2008 Rolex Middle Sea Race recently completed in Malta. This race around the Island of Sicily dealt ever changing conditions this year, including code 0 reaching, 3.5 knot head currents, light air running, 300nm beat upwind in a short chop with breeze and tons of thurderstorms... Giancarlo reports:

"We made it!... We raced every minute as if we were sailing around the cans, fighting for the overall podium and trying to defend from the rest of the class, who were recuperating under more favorable winds. In the end it is a result that we could only dream of. After the 4th overall at the 2006 Giraglia and first overall in the 2007 and 2008 Tre Golfi, the two other main off-shore regattas, our beloved J-133 and her blue asymmetrics are becoming quite known in the Med." results. Congratulations to the entire Chrestress crew for a great race and season!

Introducing Two New J/s for 2009!

The new J/95 (31.2') not only sails in as little as 3' of water, it will sail circles around other modern "pretty" retro-daysailors, all the while in complete comfort and control. Standard carbon mast, retracting centerboard, wheel steering, optional cockpit dodger, removable transom storage and many more unique features will set this new J/apart. It's a boat that solves the problem of draft for many waterfront home owners to extend immediate access to keelboat sailing and fun right from the backyard dock! We've posted some info here at the J/95 web site. For the most up to date information contact your J/dealer, or visit us at the Fall boatshows.

Across the Atlantic another new J/Boat is under development for debut at the 2008 Paris Boatshow. The J/97 (31.6') is the first J in over two decades under 32' to combine 6' headroom and family cruising accommodations in a high performance, easily driven hull. With the handling ease of an asymmetric spinnaker and non-overlapping headsails, the J/97 promises to be one of J Boats' most versatile designs yet under 35' to fit the needs of today's sailing families, both young and old alike. More info for the new J/97 is posted here and we'll have more to share at the boatshow as well.

With fuel prices through the roof and the unused family motor boat becoming more like a permanent extension of the dock, now is a great time to go J/sailing!