Monday, May 7, 2018

J/121 Offshore Speedster Spring Tune-Up!

J/121 sailing double slot(Newport, RI)- This weekend, from Friday to Saturday, a number of J/121’s will be stretching their legs, dialing in the numbers, getting crews organized, and working on a combination of boatspeed and boathandling with a focus on this year’s Newport to Bermuda Race that starts in just one month- June 15th!

J/Boats will base the event out of Newport Shipyard.  With the support of major sailmakers (including North Sails, Quantum Sails, Doyle Sails, UK Sails), a two-day coaching and training session will focus on getting teams up to speed fast, focusing on tuning, sail trim, sail selection & changes, and boathandling. The format will include on-board coaching both days and video debriefs after sailing each day by a panel discussion of sailmakers.

As an added benefit, each boat will have a RaceQs.com app collecting real-time GPS speed, course, heel, and implied wind direction for post-sailing analysis.  In fact, the data collected from each boat will be broadcast LIVE here on RaceQs.com- http://raceqs.com/regattas/63052

The schedule is simple.  Friday 1230 hrs is registration and welcome briefing. At 1330 hrs the teams rendezvous off Fort Adams for boat-on-boat testing for speed, trim and tuning all afternoon.  Coaching will be done via “open mike” on VHF so that all teams can learn from each other quickly.  At 1700 hrs will be a post-sail debrief and cocktails and munchies.

On Saturday, the teams will gather at 0930 hrs for a skippers meeting.  Thereafter, the first “open course” race will be started by 1100 hrs, again with on-water and on-boat coaching.  By 1500 hrs, there will be another debrief and cocktail party with a closing panel discussion.

Post-race analytics will be displayed by RaceQs.com and the Open Course scoring will be evaluated for the following:
  • Overall winner- elapsed time
  • Winner of each leg- elapsed time
  • Fastest speed- on any leg
As part of the discussions over the weekend will be 2018 J/121 Open Course Circuit schedule for the northeast region.  The proposed schedule is:
  • Jun 9-10- New York YC Annual Regatta- Newport, RI
  • Jun 15th- Newport to Bermuda Race- Newport, RI
  • Jul 17-21- New York YC Race Week- Newport, RI
  • Aug 17th- Ida Lewis Distance Race- Newport, RI
  • Aug 31st- STC Stamford Vineyard Race- Stamford, CT
In addition, teams will be contemplating the 2018/ 2019 J/121 Open Course Winter Circuit, which may include:
  • Wirth Munroe Race- Palm Beach, FL
  • Miami to Nassau Race- Miami, FL
  • Lauderdale to Key West Race- Ft Lauderdale, FL
  • Miami to Montego Bay/ Pineapple Cup- Miami, FL
  • RORC 600 Challenge- English Harbour, Antigua
  • Heineken St Maarten- Simpson Bay, St Maarten
  • St Thomas Regatta- Cowpet Bay, USVI
  • BVI Spring Regatta- Tortola, BVI
  • Voiles St Barth Regatta- Gustavia, St Barth
  • Antigua Sailing Week- English Harbour, Antigua
For more J/121 offshore speedster sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.