(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The 2013 J/80 UK National Championships
and the inaugural J/70 UK National Championships will be hosted by the
Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes from Friday 14th June to Sunday 16th June
2013. The Royal Yacht Squadron is one of the most prestigious yacht
clubs in the world, boasting a long and fascinating history-- especially
as the summer sailing home for England's royalty, as the famous Cowes
Week starting line and its role in the eponymous America's Cup. Key
Yachting are looking forward to working with the Squadron, friends and
sponsors on what will surely be a memorable and most enjoyable regatta.The first of the weekend’s eight scheduled races is set to take place on the afternoon of Friday 14th June, followed by an opening drinks ceremony at the Royal Yacht Squadron. After four races on Saturday, competitors will enjoy a hearty supper at the club, and the prize-giving will take place on Sunday afternoon after the morning’s final two races.
Expectations
for next year are high amongst the J/80 fleet following a stellar 2012
season. The J/80 World Championships came to the UK for the first time
in seven years, and hosted an incredible seventy-six boats from nine
nations including the USA and Hong Kong . Twenty-six boats then went on
to compete in the J/80 UK Nationals in September. The trophy was taken
by Nic Barnes and Rob Larke on J2X. The 2013 J/80 National Championships will provide a nice warm up for the 2013 World Championships in July,
where more than 130 boats are expected to travel to host city Marseille
on the gorgeous coast of southern France on the famous French Riviera.The J/70 UK National Championships will be the first UK one design regatta for J's newest sportsboat. J/70 crews will then be able to go on and sail one design at Cowes Week and at the famous J-Cup Regatta at the end of August.
The J/70 is the latest sportsboat design from market leaders J/Boats, and is already its fastest selling model ever. The slipway-launchable keelboat, which arrived on UK shores in July, has already received more than twenty orders here. Build slots have reached 250 in America and topped sixty in the first month of European production, leading to delivery dates for new UK orders being pushed back to March.
The alliance of these two formidable sportsboats will undoubtedly result in one of the most thrilling regattas of the summer. With incredible success stories and proven race performances behind them, no doubt shore-side enthusiasts will eagerly await the results from each race. The Notice of Race will soon be online at www.keyyachting.com and on the new J/80 class website- www.j-80.co.uk.
