New J/97 Previews at Paris Show

With the launching date of hull #1 slated for Feb/Mar 2009, J/Europe pulled out all the stops to create a J/97 “Preview” display at the Paris Boat Show. The sleek navy hull with finished deck (sans interior) was displayed alongside the J/109 and J/122. The preview party continues in January at the London Show while production of the new design gets into full swing in Olonne Sur Mer, France. website

J Boats Leadership Award

At the annual J/44 awards party held at New York Yacht Club last month, Jim Bishop of New York, NY was presented the 2008 J Boats Leadership Award by Jeff Johnstone, president of J Boats.

“Behind every successful one-design there's a person that's the glue, the visionary, the life of the party,” said Johnstone. “Since 1989, Jim Bishop has been that person for the J/44 Class.”

Under Bishop’s presidency, the J/44 class achieved an unprecedented one-design start for the 1994 Bermuda Race and has continued the streak of continuous class starts through 2008. In the mid 90's, the J/44 class introduced an innovative sail-rotation program where the fleet buys class sails in bulk and rotates them between boats for the inshore buoy events, in order to reduce overall ownership costs and provide for very competitive racing.

“It’s been a real team effort,” said Bishop while accepting the award. “We have a great group of owners who are fully committed to the class. It doesn’t seem like a lot of work when you’re having as much fun as we do.”

The J/44 Class turns 20 in 2009.