Monday, November 17, 2014

J/70s @ Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary

Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Founded in 1815 the Royal Yacht Squadron will mark its 200 years with an invitational regatta from the 25th to 31st July 2015 at its historic home in Cowes with racing on the Solent and a Round Island Race on Wednesday, July 29th (the famous 60nm “America’s Cup” course around the Isle of Wight). The RYS has invited 25 clubs from 19 countries to send crews to the event with the option of taking part in a one-design regatta with supplied boats or participating in IRC Division. Additionally, two-on-two team racing will take place in J/70s for sailors 30 years old or younger (teams of 4 each).

The 2015 Transatlantic Race, organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron, the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Storm Trysail Club, is expected to attract a good number of entries who will use the race from Newport, RI as a feeder event to the Solent.

A very high level of interest has already been shown in the event. A number of J-Class yachts have indicated their interest in taking part in the Bicentenary Regatta.  In addition, several J/Boat teams are  planning to participate.

J/70s on DrySail docksThe RYS Bicentenary Regatta will be held two weeks before the annual Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta and the Rolex Fastnet Race.  "The invited clubs, all of whom have enjoyed special relationships with the Squadron over the years, have already shown extremely positive interest in the event," comments Rear Commodore David Aisher (owner of the J/109 YEOMAN XXI). "With only 200 places available for visiting yachts we expect a strong entry well in advance of the regatta."

As part of accommodating their J/70s on the Solent, where dock space and dry-sail space is at a premium, the Solent fleet has carved out an incredibly clever way of docking their boats ready to launch in 30 seconds!  Take a look at this photo of the DrySail System by VersaDock- it shows 10 J/70s at the Hamble Point Marina ready-to-race right off floats.  As a result, perfectly clean bottoms and no bottom paint to maintain!  Launching a J/70 is as easy as launching a jet-ski!  For more information on the DrySail System, check it out here (http://www.versadock.com/drysail.htm).   Watch the “launch/ retrieve” video of a J/70 getting ready to go sailing!   For more Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary Regatta sailing information