(Tampa, Florida)- The first J/24 was launched in the summer of 1976,
forty years ago, and started a revolution for easy-to-sail small
keelboats worldwide. Today, the class is still going strong in over 30
countries with an avid, loyal following that continues to regenerate
over time. This year’s 38th edition of the Midwinter Championship will
be hosted by Davis Island YC in Tampa, Florida. An enthusiastic and
competitive fleet of twenty-five boats are registered, representing
fourteen states across America, from as far north as Minnesota and as
far east as Maine.Having just completed running the three-event Quantum J/70 Winter Series, the Davis Island YC volunteer corps and its race committee are a veteran team that should be able to provide the J/24 sailors the red carpet treatment on-shore as well as offer excellent race committee management on Tampa Bay.
Amongst this year’s participants are past North American and World Champions, some skippering, some crewing for friends. Back for another shot at winning the Midwinters will be the formidable duo of Tim Healy and John Mollicone sailing BLIND SQUIRREL from SailNewport.org. Some of their favorite competitors will include another dynamic pairing, Rossi Milev and Mark Liebel on ANGEL OF HARLEM, and others like Robby Brown, Mike Ingham from Rochester Canoe Club, Travis Odenbach on HONEYBADGER from Rochester YC, Carter White on SEA BAGS SAILING TEAM from Portland YC in Maine, and Erica Beck Spencer with her all-women’s team on SEA BAGS WOMEN’S SAILING TEAM from Portland YC. For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information
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