(Newport, RI)- Since August, we'd been waiting for the perfect day to do
a video/photo shoot of the J/111 off Newport with world-renowned
yachting photographer Onne Van der Wall in a helicopter. Incredibly,
the intersection of wind, light, sea and tide conditions didn't
materialize until the second Friday in October. The results were
stunning. Spectacular photos and video of the J/111 sailing in 15-20
knot SSW winds off Newport, in big seas with an ebb tide flowing fast
past Castle Hill and Brenton Reef.As Onne remarked on the radio after 90 minutes in the air (they were about to run out of fuel), "it's a wrap, perfect day, the best!" Little did we know how good it was. Later, Onne said, "I've never seen a boat sail to windward so smoothly, the bow just lifts so naturally, leaving little spray or waves rolling over the deck, it's just magic! And, you guys were sailing in at least 3-6 foot seas with breaking waves! Plus, it was obvious from the air the 111 just accelerates like a scalded cat downwind with that big red spinnaker! How fast were you going?" To answer Onne's question, while sailing in just 15-20 kt wind and waves, the J/111 was easily planing along at a steady 10-12 knots with bursts to 16 knots! Quite a remarkable performance, an extraordinary experience many 111 owners already had in the past year! See it for yourself in the latest J/111 YouTube video here. Video and sailing photo credits- Onne Van der wal For more J/111 sailboat information.
