J/121 KAZI Japan Review

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(Tokyo, Japan)- The famous Japanese boating magazine KAZI has always been known as a leader in the yachting world for their in-depth reviews of various sailboats. Remarkably, KAZI was one of the first reviewers of the revolutionary J/24 back in 1977 when both J/Boats co-founders, Bob and Rod Johnstone, were sailing in the famous Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week. 

Here is the approximate translation of KAZI's review of the J/121 offshore speedster in their most recent issue. Here is the introduction.

A flagship model aimed as a powerful open sea racer from J/Boats

Debuted as a family racer-cruiser in 1977, the J/24 became the world's largest-ranked one-design keelboat in the world.  And, 40 years later, J/Boats latest offshore creation- the J/121- sets the stage for a new classic offshore racer for the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Japan.

The New J/21 Offshore Speedster
This new boat is positioned as the flagship model of J/Boats' offshore performance range of sailboats. While fully compatible with fully-crewed inshore races around the buoys, the big theme is to win offshore distance races with a small crew. 

Alan Johnstone, who is in charge of designing the recent line of J/Boats, studied the data of the weather conditions of prestigious offshore races around the world- over 4,100 nm of race tracks- such as Newport Bermuda Race, Transpac Race, Fastnet Race, Cabo San Lucas Race, RORC 600 Race, Sydney to Hobart Race, and the Mackinac Races in the American Midwest.  As a result, it was determined that the ratio of windward, reaching, and downwind sailing was 25%, 50%, and 25%, respectively. That design specification was incorporated into the design of the J/121 hull and rig."  For more J/121 offshore speedster sailing information.Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/121 CRESCENT IV Report from Japan

 

J/121 CRESCENT IV blasting upwind on the Sea of Japan.

* "Like many of the world’s most splendid sailing areas, such as Narragansett Bay and Waikiki, Japan’s very own Sagami Bay, just south of Tokyo, has been without sails and sailors for months; staying socially distant, and abiding by the rules.


Nevertheless, I’m now happy to say that sailing in Sagami Bay is finally back! Hayama Marina Yacht Club has restarted its fortnightly summer club races, given the rules and regulations set forth by our national and local governments.


After restarting the sailing season July 12th, our J/121 CRESCENT IV dutifully performed as committee boat at this first race and happily watched eighteen other boats enjoy a strong sea breeze. Then, on August 8th, the time was finally at hand for CRESCENT IV to compete. That morning, we had a fairly nice wind and succeeded in making a top finish in race #1 for our first club race!

Wherever you may be in this windy world, I hope and believe that all J/Boats advocates will enjoy a nice summer sea breeze!" Thanks to Aki Hirai's report, the owner of the J/121 CRESCENT IV

Welles Crowned 40th J/24 World Champion!

(Riva del Garda, Italy)- Lake Garda lived up to its “bucket list” reputation for the 40th edition of the J/24 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy. Over the five days, the eighty-nine teams from 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and United States) enjoyed spectacular sailing, with three days of the classic “ora” from the south and sunny; one unusual sunny, windy day of the “bora” from the north; and one day with clouds, sprinkles and no wind.

Will Welles’ KASTER of the USA achieved his second J/24 World Championship in five years. With crew Nick Turney, Rich Bowen, Giuliano Cattarozzi and Andrea Casale, the Newport, RI-based helmsman recorded 47 net points in 10 races. Next best was Nobuyuki Imai’s SIESTA of Japan who ended with 68 points. Demonstrating the continued strength of the J/24 class in America, the balance of the podium and top five were dominated by three American teams.  Taking the bronze was Keith Whittemore’s FURIO team from Seattle, WA (a regular on the Italian J/24 circuit); fourth place went to Travis Odenbach’s HONEY BADGER crew from Rochester, NY; and fifth was Mike Ingham’s NAUTALYTICS from Rochester, NY, who dominated Friday’s three contests with a 2-1-1.

The IJCA also awarded its perpetual trophies:
• Jaeger Women’s Trophy to Lynn Wolgast, Derbe Kerle, Germany
• Under-25 Turner Trophy to Pietro Parisi, Ottobrerosso, Italy

Welles put together a combined American and Italian team, and commended “Giuliano for bringing a fast boat and Andrea for putting it all together.” He also thanked PRO Hank Stuart and all the various volunteers and sponsors. Reflecting on 40 years of J/24 World Championships, he said that the robust international attendance proves that “The Class is as strong as ever!”

Top five:
1) Will Welles, Kaster- 2, 5, 2, 9, (25), 2, 2, 1, 8, 16, Net 47
2) Nobuyuki Imai, Siesta, JPN, 25, 10, 5, 5, 1, 1, 7, (32), 7, 7, Net 68
3) Keith Whittemore, Furio- 31, 19, DPI20, 3, 2, 9, 3, 1, (46), 3, 4, Net 75
4) Travis Odenbach, Honeybadger- 14, 7, 8, 3, (16), 12, 8, 15, 2, 11, Net 80
5) Mike Ingham, Nautalytics- 20, (43), 4, 10, 5, 8, 30, 2, 1, 1, Net 81

Eighty-nine teams from 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and United States) competed August 27-31 from Fraglia Vela Riva del Garda.  For more J/24 World Championship sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

40th J/24 World Championship Update

(Riva del Garda, Italy)- Lake Garda lived up to its “bucket list” reputation on the opening day of the J/24 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy. Eighty-nine teams from 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and United States) descended on the picturesque lake for the 40th edition of the Championship.

Day 1- Monday
With sunny skies and breeze at 10-15 knots, American Will Welles’ Kaster got out of the gate with the early advantage, posting 2,5,2 for nine points in the three races. Hungarian Tomai Bala’zs’ J.Bond 037 started the day strong with 1,2, but a 13 in race three left him with 16 points for second place. Travis Odenbach’s Honeybadger of the USA rests in third place with 29 points.

Bala’zs opened the regatta with a victory, ahead of Welles and Italian Ignazio Bonanno’s La Superba. Keith Whittemore’s Furio, USA, took the next battle, as Bala’zs dropped to second and Duncan McCarthy’s Madeleine of Great Britain put another nation on the leaderboard. The final contest saw McCarthy, Welles and Whittemore comprise the top three.

Day 2- Tuesday
The leaderboard tightened up Tuesday at the J/24 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy. Lake Garda again produced fantastic conditions as the 89 teams recorded two more races, bringing the total to five, including now one discard. American Will Welles’ Kaster maintained the top spot with 18 net points, but Hungarian Tomai Bala’zs’ J.Bond 037 is just two points back in second place with 20, and Nobuyuki Imai’s Siesta of Japan launched up to third with 21 points. Both Welles and Bala’zs stumbled in the day’s final race, but benefited from the throw-out.

2016 World Champion Daniel Frost’s JJOne of Germany ruled the day, winning the first contest, and placing second in the next. Following Frost in Tuesday’s opener were two Americans: Keith Whittemore’s Furio and Travis Odenbach’s Honeybadger. Imai’s Siesta also had a solid day, leading the fleet home in race five, ahead of Frost and fellow Japanese sailor Tomomi Hatakeyama’s Gekko.

Day 3- Wednesday
Lake Garda delivered more of the same champagne conditions on the middle day of the J/24 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy. American Will Welles’ Kaster showed the same consistency, posting two second place finishes in Wednesday’s pair of races. Welles now boasts a seven-point advantage over Nobuyuki Imai’s Siesta of Japan, who won the opening contest but added a seven in the next. Daniel Frost’s JJOne of Germany continued his ascent up the rankings with a 4,3 to move into third at 36 points, with Keith Whittemore’s Furio of the USA looking over his shoulder one notch back.

Imai’s Siesta stayed hot, winning the opening match Wednesday in the familiar 10-16 knot lake winds. Welles and Whittemore followed. Whittemore’s Furio earned his first bullet of the series in race seven, with Welles repeating in second and Frost third.  For more J/24 World Championship sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Japanese J/70 Crew- Smiling & Having Fun!

(Osaka, Japan)- Japan’s PETIT STAR J/70 crew- Infectious Grins @ Rolex Big Boat Series.  It’s day three of Rolex Big Boat Series and the photo boat is pointed at the J/70 fleet fresh off the start line. The fleet tacks left. We slowly follow for a few moments. That tunnel vision forward tracking racers yields to a huge surprise when dropping the viewfinder and stepping round to face back of boat. There is a lone J/70 immediately behind and its bow splash is close enough to reach us. The surprised expressions from we three in the photo boat initiated a grin and a wave from all racers-- those infectious smiles from the Japanese crew of PETIT STAR inspired this post.

Back on land, PETIT STAR’s Yu Stanly Fujinaga told me, “Every time we passed near a media boat I would say to the crew: ‘With a smile!’ because I was nervous about unfamiliar strong winds.” The team is comprised of members from the Osaka-Tannowa Yacht Club. The core crew, Akinori Takezawa, Hirokazu Hayasi and Akiba Kawaguchi, started sailing together on a J/24; three years ago they shifted to a J/70.

Following a Star
Fujinaga is the new tactician/navigator/sailing manager. “Our crew races in the Osaka-Kansai area. In Japan, handicap races use IRC and local ratings system so there few opportunities to race One Design. Mr. Takezawa, owner of PETIT STAR, and I both have a desire to travel abroad and compete in One Design competition. Racing One Design is a new experience for me.”

Six months ago, a decision was made to enter the 2017 Rolex Big Boat Series San Francisco, J/70 division. In March, the crew began preparations. The local winds of Tannowa being on the weaker side, the sailors usually headed to Wakaura, approximately 19nm south, to participate in Wakayama Ocean Yacht Club competition.

Fujinaga is the newest of the crew. His experience counts Farr 31, Beneteau First 36.7 and X35 boats; he says this was his first J/70 campaign. In preparation for Big Boat Series, he steadfastly monitored San Francisco Bay marine weather condition for the six weeks in advance of the competition. Fujinaga personally put in more than 50 hours training, plus participated in many regional races back home. “I set my goal to be 70 hours practice, but that was still not enough. It was hard work, but it paid off,” adding that he is very proud to work aside peers Akinori and Hiroko.  Smiling, he says it felt as if he was, “Starting from scratch, with a fumbling start.”

Going the Distance
The crew chartered a J/70 from an owner in San Francisco, and transported two sets of sails, control rope and additional items within three suitcases. “I was worried whether it would fit within the weight limit of an airplane, but it was nice to stay safe. For racing, we have experiences of short distance [travel] from our home port, but this is the first time [for us to make] a long way traveling abroad.”

This was also a first time for PETIT STAR crew members to experience the signature heavy wind conditions of San Francisco Bay. For the most part, their field practice and race conditions saw southwest afternoon sea breezes at 15 to 20 knots. “Since we were only here for a short amount of time we did not have much time to practice in a lot of strong wind.”

Looking West to Conditions in the East
Fujinaga says that things are notably different between the two sailing venues. “Back home in Japan there are numerous local yacht clubs at each marina. Kansai Yacht Club, which belongs to Softbank Team Japan, is also located near us in Osaka Bay. At club races we usually see 10 to 15 boats gather.” Larger races, where 50 to 60 boats may compete, include events such as ‘Around KIX Yacht Race’ organized by the Farewell Yacht Club. There are about 80 boats at the club where PETIT STAR is kept. Organizers welcome entries from other countries and, for the most part, sailing occurs year round in the Osaka Kansai area; most popular times are May to November. Competition is brisk during even the coldest months of January to March. “Those who sail at this season are serious people. I participate in ‘New Year Sailing’ every year.”

Is sailing a popular sport in Japan? Is yacht racing in Japan a sport for the wealthy or do students and middle-income people compete?

Replies Fujinaga, “Unfortunately, sailing is a minor sport in Japan. In general, the impression that yachting is a hobby of wealthy people is also believed.” While there are many sailing clubs at the high school and university levels, few people continue after graduation. “At Wakayama Ocean Yacht Club, I hold sailing events several times a year to recruit the public. I also ask friends to invite friends to join us on a day cruise. We try to increase the number of young people, but I think perhaps many have the impression that the threshold to participate in this sport is high; or that it is difficult to get on to a boat.”

He goes on to assert that with an aging sail demographic, attracting young people is important. “I joined Wakayama Ocean Yacht Club nine years ago when I was 18 years old. Since that time I remain the youngest member. Recently, Koujiro Shiraishi, who first challenged in Vendée Globe and of Softbank Team Japan (America's Cup), was featured in the media. I think his participation and comments in the media will help the sport gain popularity here.”

Having spent one week in San Francisco, the crew cites their time at Rolex Big Boats was quite valuable. “It is important to our sailing careers. I am thrilled with the hospitality of the race organizers and the management staff at St Francis YC. The greatest appreciation to all the people who have accepted our challenge to this event.”

With a wide grin, “Thank you so much! From Team Petit Star:
Skipper: Akinori Takezawa from Amagasaki, Hyogo
Pit: Hirokazu Hayasi from Settsu, Osaka
Trim: Akiba Kawaguchi from Misaki, Osaka
Tactician/navigator/sailing manager: Yu Stanly Fujinaga from Kanan, Osaka
Onshore manager: Hiroko Takezawa from Amagasaki, Hyogo
Learn more about Renegade Sailing on their blog (thanks for their contribution) Add to Flipboard Magazine.

German JJ-ONE Crowned J/24 World Champions!

(Wakayama, Japan)- Forty-four J/24 teams attending this year’s J/24 World Championship in Wakayama, Japan.  With a tropical storm heading toward the area, it was the calm before the storm on day one of the J/24 World Championship.  The J/24 teams representing Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Peru, Singapore, and the USA kicked off the Championship in winds of 4-6 knots over two races.

Daniel Frost’s JJOne of Germany mastered the conditions with a 1,2 to grab the early advantage in the five-day event. Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan of Japan held a slim lead on second place, just one ahead of Peru’s Javier Arribas on Hawky. The day’s race winners were Frost in race one and Naoto Kitazume’s Maril in race two.

For day two- Tuesday- the slow-moving tropical storm dampened the day’s proceedings.  The entire fleet was kept ashore with the AP flag flying all day as heavy rains and stormy winds blanketed the area.

Day three- Wednesday- dawned with great promise.  Following yesterday’s tropical storm, winds calmed to 5-8 knots over today’s three races. Keiji Kondo’s Fox of Japan won the opening race, trailed by Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan (JPN) and American Will Welles on Cougar. JJOne earned their second bullet of the regatta in the day’s middle battle, trailed by Fox and Mark Laura’s Baba Louie (USA). Einosuke Morita’s Wailea (JPN) won the final duel, with JJOne and Kato Fumiya’s Lull of Japan rounding out the top trio.

With five races on the books, the German team on JJOne had strengthened their lead over the highly competitive fleet. Daniel Frost’s crew had tallied just 6 net points, able to drop an 11 in race three and keep a skinny tally of 1,2,1,2. Kondo’s Fox moved up to second overall after a solid 1,2,4 for 15 net points. Kousuke’s Ichimokusa was in third with 22 pts.

Day Four- Thursday
Frost’s JJOne placed seventh on Thursday’s only race, but held a firm advantage heading into the final day.  Two Japanese teams held second and third: Keiji Kondo’s Fox and Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan, both with 25 points.

The day started with a postponement onshore for three hours, waiting for the wind to fill in. When it did at 6 knots, Tomomi Hatekeyama’s Gekko Diana won the lone race, trailed by Vladimir Borsthar’s Singapore and Kousuke’s Ichimokusan.

Day Five- Friday Finale
Frost’s German team of Timo Chorrosch, Felix Leupold, Jeronimo Landauer and Daniel Schwarze on JJOne placed 26th in race 7, putting the pressure on themselves going into the final race 8. With their previous 12-point advantage reduced to six, the team did not want to give up the lead they held since the very first race of the Championship. After multiple general recalls, the last meeting started under black flag with just minutes to spare before the time limit, in 8 knots of breeze. JJOne needed to cover the nearest competition, and they did, finishing 10th in the final contest to lock in the Championship. Two Japanese teams took Silver and Bronze: Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan with 47 points and Keiji Kondo’s Fox with 48 points.

“Today was a tricky day. We went in with a 12-point lead, and the first race went really bad for us,” recapped Frost, who has been sailing with the JJOne team for five years. “The last race was very tricky as well. We found ourselves in front of our competitors, and we just sailed safe. We are incredibly happy. It’s a very special day!”

The started the day in fresh breeze but it fizzled near the end of race 7. Kato Fumiya’s Lull won both races, followed by Naoto Kitazume’s Maril and Stephan Mais’s Running Men in Friday’s first battle, and by Vladimir Borsthar’s Singapore and Will Welles Cougar in the last race of the event.

Behind the top three boats were Vladimir Borstnar from Singapore, Singapore in 4th place and Urara Fujii from Japan in 5th position.  For more J/24 World Championship sailing information

J/24 World Championship Update

(Wakayama, Japan)- It has been a slow start for the forty-four J/24 teams attending this year’s J/24 World Championship in Wakayama, Japan.  With a tropical storm heading toward the area, it was the calm before the storm on day one of the J/24 World Championship.  The J/24 teams representing Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Peru, Singapore, and the USA kicked off the Championship in winds of 4-6 knots over two races.

Daniel Frost’s JJOne of Germany mastered the conditions with a 1,2 to grab the early advantage in the five-day event. Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan of Japan held a slim lead on second place, just one ahead of Peru’s Javier Arribas on Hawky. The day’s race winners were Frost in race one and Naoto Kitazume’s Maril in race two.

For day two- Tuesday- the slow-moving tropical storm dampened the day’s proceedings.  The entire fleet was kept ashore with the AP flag flying all day as heavy rains and stormy winds blanketed the area.

Day three- Wednesday- dawned with great promise.  Following yesterday’s tropical storm, winds calmed to 5-8 knots over today’s three races. Keiji Kondo’s Fox of Japan won the opening race, trailed by Demichi Kousuke’s Ichimokusan (JPN) and American Will Welles on Cougar. JJOne earned their second bullet of the regatta in the day’s middle battle, trailed by Fox and Mark Laura’s Baba Louie (USA). Einosuke Morita’s Wailea (JPN) won the final duel, with JJOne and Kato Fumiya’s Lull of Japan rounding out the top trio.

With five races now on the books, the German team on JJOne had strengthened their lead over the highly competitive fleet. Daniel Frost’s crew now tallies just 6 net points, able to drop an 11 in race three and keep a skinny tally of 1,2,1,2. Kondo’s Fox moved up to second overall after a solid 1,2,4 for 15 net points. Kousuke’s Ichimokusa rests in third with 22 pts.

Two more days of racing to go and there is no question that JJOne’s fans in Germany are cheering wildly for them to be the first German World Champions ever in the J/24 class!    For more J/24 World Championship sailing information

J/24 World Championship Preview

(Wakayama, Japan)- Forty-four J/24 teams are gathering together from eight nations for the J/24 World Championship in Wakayama Japan. The competition begins Monday, September 19 and continues through Friday, September 23 for the entrants representing Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Peru, Singapore and the USA.  The host, Wakayama Sailing Club, is excited to host this major event for the first time in over a decade in Japan.  Teams are already in Japan practicing and preparing for the regatta.

The talent-laden fleet has an amazing cross-section of J/24 teams from around the world.  For example, the Australian National Champion, “the Black Prince of Sandringham”- David Suda, is making an appearance on the equally infamous PACEMAKER.  Then, past multiple European Champion, Stu Jardine, will be bringing along a bunch of his fast mates from the United Kingdom to sail yet another incarnation of TEAM STOUCHE UK!  From Germany is Stephan Mais’ RUNNING MEN and Dan Frost’s JJ-ONE.  From Korea’s fleet in Seoul are June Lee’s SUP SUP HAE, Nabyul Ha’s SUMMER SANTA, and Cheol Park Ki’s ULSAN COLLEGE.  Vladimir Borstnar’s SINGAPORE is sailing for Singapore, of course.  The four USA teams are formidable quartet, including the freshly-minted 2016 J/24 North American Champion Will Welles on COUGAR.  Welles’ nemesis that tied him on points for the N.A. title in Toronto, Canada will also be racing- Travis Odenbach’s SEA BAGS SAILING TEAM.  Finally, two top West coast boats will be in the mix, like Mark Laura’s BABA LOUIE from Seattle, WA and Mike Johnson’s PEARL.

The Japanese fleet is showing up with over twenty boats on the starting line.  Familiar teams include Tokuma Takesue’s GEKKO, Tuji Hiromoto’s WHITE SQUALL, Yoichi Matsumoto’s JELLYFISH and Hidetaka Nakanishi’s BLACK PEARL.  For more J/24 World Championship sailing information

J/24s Sailing the Okinawa to Zamami Island Race

(Okinawa, Japan)- J/24 sailing in Okinawa, Japan?  You bet!  Adam Johnston, skipper, and Shingo Kazuko, participated in the 39th annual Race to Zamami Island in Okinawa's Kerama Islands. It is a truly spectacular part of the worlds, especially in the western Pacific.  The name of their boat is SCARLETTE, a 1985 Nissan-built J/24 (the red boat at the start above).  Here is their story as told by Adam:

“Two J-24s competed in one of the longest running yacht races in Japan on July 2 as 40 different types of boats raced from the Okinawan “mainland” to a locale in the Kerama Islands chain; specifically Zamami Island.

Hensa (Okinawan for Eagle), a 1986 Nissan-built J/24, with it’s crew of four finished the overall race in eighth place and Scarlette, with a crew of two, finished the overall race in twenty-third.

The “Race to Zamami” is one of Japan’s longest running yacht races. The competition, according to the “Zamami Times,” draws competitors from around Japan as they race in three different classes with handicaps from Okinawa Island to Zamami Island.

Teams usually take three to six hours to sail the 28nm route (approximately 50km or 31 statute miles) that winds through the Kerama Islands.  Hensa, captained by Takumi Hanashiro, with crew Takahiro Higa, Chris Matsuda, Kaiki Yamashiro, finished the race in 4 hours, 32 minutes and 6 seconds.  While Scarlette, captained by Adam Johnston with Shingo Kazuko as crew, clocked a finish time of 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds.  Next year will mark the 40th annual event, it will more than likely be scheduled in early July 2017.”

Japan Sailing Report- J/88 & J/70

(Tokyo, Japan)- A quick report from Japan from Kebby Tokoro indicates that things are hopping in the Japanese offshore and one-design circuits.  There is great interest in the J/70 as well as the newly introduced J/88.  Kebby reports that, “we have been doing a lot of promotion for the J/88 and J/70 in Japan.  Please see the fantastic review of the J/88 for KAZI magazine.  Plus, we have been racing in several big fleet offshore races.

One of these events is the famous Tamori Cup, it is the biggest yacht race on the east side of Japan.  We got 5th Overall and 3rd in Class!  Many sailors were shocked to see how fast the boat goes, especially in lighter winds.  We hoped they would do more races, but the last day was canceled due to a huge typhoon!

The J/88 is so fantastic, we love sailing it and I have been working with at least three new owners for the boat.  There is strong interest for one-design sailing the J/88, too!  More later!  Best regards, Kebby”