(Crouesty de Arzon, France)- Following their famous spring regatta held
this past weekend, the YC Crouesty de Arzon will have had more than
enough practice to look after the aggressive European J/24 fleet that is
just about to setup camp on their docks for the next edition of the
J/24 European Championship being hosted from June 6th to 13th. Forty boats from seven European countries (France, Ireland, Hungary, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Greece) will be participating, including representatives from the USA and Brazil. What is all the more remarkable is that this year’s fleet will be one of the strongest fields in a number of years and, even more amazing is that it’s happening on the west coast of France on the Bay of Biscay.
While
the J/24s may not be seen as a hotbed of talent in France for decades,
the J/24 class has produced some of their best offshore sailors in the
Figaro, IMOCA 60 and multihull world. Top French teams include Patrick
Ravel’s BOLERO and a top J/80 team that normally sails with Luc Nadal
(their 24 is called ANTHOLOGIE). From Germany there will be several
leading teams, such as Frithjof Jade’s JJ ONE, Frederik Schonfeldt’s
HENK, and J Huhn’s HUNGRIGER WOLF. Not surprisingly, top Italian talent
like current J/24 National Championship leader Ignacio Bonanno on LA
SUPERBA will be joining the competition. The fun-loving and fast Irish
team sailing HARD ON PORT, skippered by Frank O’Driscoll, will ensure
their Irish contingent are contenders. Several UK teams are making
their crossing of the English Channel underwater (Chunnel or ferry?),
including Andrew Taylor’s HITCHHIKER, Dave Cooper’s JAWBREAKER, and
Roger Morris’ JOLLY ROGER. One of the top Greek teams will be making
the trek from the far side of the Mediterranean, the team of Andre
Nikolaidsis & D Altsiadis on EVNIKI.Finally, a top USA J/24 team from Rochester, New York- Mike Ingham and gang- will be hopping across the North Atlantic to reinforce the strong European field. Topping it all off with regards to talent and experience will surely be multiple World and South American Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz sailing the mighty BRUSCHETTA with partners King and Revore. For more J/24 Europeans sailing information
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