J/22 & J/80 Sailors- ISAF World Sailors of the Year

* Two sailors who have raced J/22s and J/80s extensively over the course of the past half-dozen years were just awarded the ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year- namely, Anna Tunnicliffe for Women and Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez for Men.  While Iker and Xabier have raced 49ers and other classes, they also share some of their time with family and friends sailing J/80s in Spain-- right now they're in a horse-race to win the Volvo Ocean Race on their V70 TELEFONICA.  Likewise, Anna has sailed J/22s in many women's events with her team, most recently finishing 2nd in the Rolex Women's Worlds in Rochester, NY and winning the Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, MD.  For more ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year award information

J/120 Sailors Run America's Cup San Diego!

* How did the America's Cup AC45 Circus land in San Diego?  Well, a bunch of J/120 sailors got together and said it had to be done!  In a few short days, the America's Cup returns to San Diego, the Auld Mug's home from 1987 to 1995, when Team New Zealand and Black Magic snatched it away in a dominating performance. But this time around the action won't happen out at sea, out of mind of all but the most hardcore sailing fans. "Stadium sailing" is coming to San Diego, promising enough thrills, chills, and spills to entice a whole new generation of fans.

John Laun, lifelong sailboat  racer and owner of the San Diego Yacht Club-based J/120 CAPER, watched the America's Cup making its "victory tour" around San Diego in 2010 and knew the city still had the interest and the ability to run a Cup regatta. He and Chuck Nichols, owner of the J/120 CC RIDER, former SDYC commodore and 1995 AC President, formed Sailing Events Association (SEA) San Diego to make that goal a reality. On the eve of the America's Cup World Series in San Diego, Laun talked to CupInfo about the steps they took to secure the regatta, lessons learned, and what it will take for the event to be a success in his view:

"We formed the Sailing Events Association San Diego to pursue America's Cup regattas," explained Laun. "It was clear early on that if we could demonstrate our capabilities and showcase San Diego -- our team, our environment, our stadium sailing concept -- that it would promote ourselves as a viable venue."

Step one was to host an event to demonstrate to the America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA) that SEA was capable of staging a major regatta inside San Diego Bay, including providing facilities for teams on the downtown piers, spectator viewing options on and around the race course, on-the-water race management, and plenty of waterfront entertainment. Enter the RC44 class; for their first event SEA signed the international one-design fleet for a west coast stop. The regatta in March 2011 featured the top RC44 teams from around the world, with names familiar to America's Cup fans, such as Russell Coutts, Paul Cayard, Cameron Appleton, and Paolo Cian.

"We wanted to host a spectator event that people could enjoy, something that would energize the San Diego community around sailing. It was our first event and it was exactly on spec for what we wanted -- spectator-friendly and exciting. We had a meeting with the ACEA the night of the trophy presentation and were up in San Francisco the next week and it was a done deal."  For more SEA San Diego America's Cup sailing information

J/24 Worlds Preview

(Buenos Aires, Argentina)- Considering the J/24 is approaching its 35th birthday, it's still pretty astounding to see both the level of activity and the depth of the competition in the world's largest one-design keelboat class.  Back in the day in 1977 the J/24 really was a "revolution", the "Laser with a lid", the first "sportboat" anyone had ever seen in its size range- a 24 footer that could actually plane!  Remember, back then the "hot" IOR Quarter-tonners all had masthead rigs, three foot booms, monster genoas and 10 foot spinnaker poles! Rod rigging was considered "hi-tech".  Say what? Yes, such IOR beasts were a wonder to behold, downwind with "bloopers" up (anyone know what that is?) they could "swap ends" faster than any other sailboat designs in history, and you didn't even have to steer when that happened-- just hold on for dear life!

Thank goodness, sailboat design has evolved, as have strong one-design classes.  The J/24 led the charge back then and with 5,000+ boats sailing around the world, the J/24 class continues to field very strong events-- a fleet of sixty-one boats from nine countries are sailing the 2011 J/24 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina this coming week.  Contenders include some well-known faces in the class.  Starting with the hosts, Argentina has a strong contingent of 26 boats, including their top sailors like Roberto Authier and the top two from the Pre-Worlds- Francisco Campero and Matias Pereira.  From Australia is one of their top teams, Sean Kirkjian and Simon Cunningham.  Brazil is perhaps leading with its favorite, current J/24 World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz sailing BRUSCHETTA.  From across the Rio de la Plata (River Plate), third place at the Pre-Worlds was Uruguay's Pedro Garra.  The USA always has a strong team fielded at the J/24 Worlds.  They're led by a very strong team of past World, North American and Midwinters Champions, including Tim Healy on 11TH HOUR RACING from Newport, RI; Mike Ingham from Rochester, NY; Scott Milne on TREMENDOUS SLOUCH from New Orleans, LA; Will Welles on PUMA from Newport, RI; and Keith Whittemore on CINQUECENTO from Seattle, WA. The other countries represented, Chile, Italy, Peru and England all have teams capable of challenging the leaders for the top ten.

Expect the YCA (YC Argentino) to put on a world-class event where the sailors will be treated to excellent race management as well as the famous Argentinean hospitality- what's not to like about Argentina's delicious Malbec red wine varietals and mouth-watering grass-fed beef from the pampas?!  Keep up with your favorite teams by following them on the link below.  For more J/24 Worlds sailing information

French J/80 Nationals Preview

(Saint Cast, France)- Over seventy-one boats including three from England and one from Spain are ready to set sail in the 2011 French J/80 Nationals, hosted in Saint Cast along the Bay of Biscay by Centre Nautique Saint Cast.

What a fantastic success for the J/80 French Class!  It's extraordinary to see so many competitors sailing the final regatta of the 2011 season, a four day event taking place in the beginning of November.  From Thursday the 10th of November to the 13th of November, this armada expects to have a great event on the gorgeous Saint Cast Bay.  This event also determines the final results of the French J/80 Fleet season series that started back in April with the famous Spi OUEST Regatta in La Trinite Sur Mer.

The CNSC is proud to host the event, "Between J/80 and the CNSC is a long history or tradition. We acquired our first J/80 in 1999, at the time few J/80s were distributed in France, it was a bet on the future! But, it was perfect for our requirements.  We needed a boat for sailing education, but also for racing, and it should be reliable, robust and modern.  Twelve years later, given the number of boats racing in the Coupe de France, it was the right choice at the time!  Since 1999, we have trained many crews (about fifty), and with good results: 3-times Champion of France!"

What ever the results, it's clear the top French J/80 teams are already focused on the 2012 J/80 Worlds that will be sailed across La Manche (the English Channel) in Dartmouth, England, followed by the J/80 Worlds 2013 in France! Given the strong showing of the top French teams at this year's 2011 J/80 Worlds in Copenhagen, Denmark, it's apparent that the strong national rivalries between Spanish and French sailors at the top of the heap in world-class one-design and offshore events is proving to be an enormous catalyst to raise the level of their game a few more notches.  Amongst the top teams competing will be multiple regatta winner Erik Brezellec on INTERFACE CONCEPT 2.  For more French J/80 Nationals sailing information

NEW! J/80 Winter Tour 2012!

(Miami, FL)- The J/80 Class in America has organized a Winter Tour 2012 for those J/80 owners that wish to take advantage of all the free Florida sunshine that's unencumbered by any winter blast from up North!  This series will feature three race weekends spread out over a month and a half all taking place on Biscayne Bay, Florida.  The races will include the following venues:

- Jan 15-25- J/80 Midwinters- Key West, FL- http://www.premiere-racing.com
- Feb 11-12- “Valentines Cup”- Miami, FL- hosted by the US Sailing Center in Miami.
- Mar 8-10- Bacardi Miami Sailing Week- http://miamisailingweek.com
- Mar 24-25- “Biscayne Cup”- Miami, FL- http://www.j80.org/j80usa.php

The J/80 competitors will be able to arrange mast-up storage at either the US Sailing Center or the Shake-A-Leg Sailing Center. Details will be posted as they become available at http://www.j80.org/j80usa.php

J/97 JIKA-JIKA Wins a SqueeKA!

(Solent, Hamble, England)- A fittingly eerie mist descended to finish off the Halloween weekend and with it the latest installments in the Garmin Hamble Winter Series and Rule 26 Hamble Big Boat Series.

Yacht graphics company Rule 26 sponsored the Hamble Big Boat Series, with racing on both days for a large fleet of 15 boats in IRC 0. Saturday’s steady 8-12 knots tracked slowly right during the day to get four races in by 1500. In IRC 0 the J/133 JAMMY DODGER sailed by Neil Martin took the second half’s top spot. Her sistership JERONIMO sailed by Jackie and Robert Dobson put in a solid performance with two podium positions.

With the end of BST (British Standard Time) and an hour’s extra sleep, Sunday dawned with 12-18 knots from the WSW, which let the race team squeeze two races in for all classes in the Rule 26 Big Boat Series and Garmin Hamble Winter Series, which this week was supported by One Sails GBR. With windward-leeward courses for all classes, the race area became a little congested at times, but courses of different lengths kept classes apart in a fine drizzle that gave way to a damp mist.

J/97 JIKA JIKA, sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes, topped IRC 3 in both races to continue to lead their fleet in the Hamble Winter Series by five points.  Nick and Adam Munday's J/97 INDULJENCE is tied with David Greenhalgh and John Taylor's J/92 J-RONIMO for fourth place with 34 points each, just 3 points from third. Andy Howe & Annie Kelly's J/92s BLACKJACK sits with 38 points in 7th but within easy striking distance of the top three, too!

While this weekend's results for the J/109 One-Design class saw OUTRAJEOUS and JUST SO win races, the J/109 fleet standings continue to see Richard and Valerie Griffith’s OUTRAJEOUS in first with just 10 pts with a commanding 14 point lead over the fleet.  However, just behind the Griffith's is an all-out scrum for the remainder of the top five!  Only three points separate the next four boats! David and Mary McGough's JUST SO s in second with 24 points; Paul Griffiths' JAGERBOMB is third with 25 points; David Jobson's AUDAJIOUS is fourth with 26 points and David McLeman's OFFBEAT is fifth with 27 points.  The next weekend or so will be fun to watch how the dust settles between these competitive teams! Thanks go to the J/109 class who managed to finish their own race after a communications mixup with the finish-line boats led to a brief but conspicuous absence at the finishing line.

So after four weekends, where competitors have experienced everything from big breezes to calms, fog and drizzle, next weekend sees a mid-series break. The fifth weekend of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series returns in a fortnight, with day sponsor Southern Ropes. The end result of the series is far from certain, with some tantalizing battles lining themselves up in each class. See you then!   Sailing photo credits- Hamo Thornycroft   For more Garmin Hamble Winter Series sailing information

CHURCH KEY Unlocks J/80 East Coasts

(Annapolis, MD) -  This year's J/80 East Coasts were hosted by Eastport YC in Annapolis, MD.  Ramzi, who was sailing the J/80 STACKED DECK, had this to report of the crazed weather and conditions that sailors faced this past weekend on the Chesapeake Bay:

"What an amazing weekend we had! We had windy, choppy and shifty weather on Friday but had solid racing... getting in four races!  We knew that the weather would be questionable for Saturday so we did all we could to get in all we could with races starting at 10:30 and ending at 4-ish.  We had a fun event Friday night with one of our sponsors hosting wings and beer.  We decided to cancel for Saturday after our party Friday night when we learned that AYC had cancelled the J/105 regatta.  We figured that if they were concerned... perhaps we should follow.  Although the weather didn't get as awful as predicted... it was still pretty bad and the right decision.

Saturday we had a big BBQ party at the EYC clubhouse... lots of raffle goods and auction item. A lot of food, beer and fun.  We were able to make the most of the situation given the weather.

We started early on Sunday (10:30) and targeted for as many races we could get by extending the "no later than" time to 3pm. We shared the course with the J/22s and got in three races (almost four but had to abandon the 4th race due to unfair wind situation)... on a sunny day with good but shifty breeze."

At the end of the day, the J/80s can say they made the most of the weekend despite the weather conditions.  After completing seven races over the three days, Chris Chadwick's team on CHURCH KEY sailed a solid regatta to win by 10 pts.  John White's crew on US 1162 was second, narrowly beating Will and Marie Crump's JEFF's BOAT by just two points.  Fourth was class up and comer Kristen Robinson keeping the wheels on their shopping trolley and hanging tough on ANGRY CHAMELEON to get snag fourth.  Bill Hunt's FIREBOLT started strongly with a 1-3-5-2 winning the regatta Friday to fade to fifth on Sunday's racing with some deep finishes in the shifty conditions.   Sailing photo credits- SailFast Photos   For more J/80 East Coasts sailing information

J/22 East Coasts Whipped By HOT TODDYs!

(Annapolis, MD)- A wild and windy day on Saturday prompted both the J/22 and J/80 fleets to call for cancellation of racing in their respective East Coast Championships.  The prognosis Saturday was pretty dire, so most of the fleet retired to the BBQ at EYC, or the Boatyard Bar & Grille, or to McGarvey's to watch college football on TV, while still others rambled on over to the Annapolis YC and downtown on Saturday.

Sunday dawned with a gorgeous day and the thirteen boat J/22 fleet took to the waters in great anticipation of going all out to grab bragging rights for the 2011 season as top dog on the East Coast.  After three races, it was pretty clear that Jeff Todd's team on HOT TODDY had the shifty northwesterly breezes pretty well dialed in- smoking the fleet with a 1-2-1 to win by a nifty 3 points.  Second was Brad Julian's JULIAN ASSOCIATES with a 4-1-2 for 7 pts.  The next three boats had a tough fight for third on the podium.  But yet another J/22 champion managed to emerge from the scuffle to snag third, with Todd Hiller's team on LEADING EDGE sailing a 3-3-5 for 11 pts.  Fourth was Jim McKenna with a 2-7-4 for 13 pts and fifth was Sandy Adzick on HOT TICKET, fresh off a good performance at the Rolex Women's Worlds in Rochester, NY, sailing to an 8-4-3 for 15 pts.  Sadly, M.I.A. was Albie Terhune on the infamous DAZZLER-- someone thinks they got sidelined coming back from the J/22 Worlds in Norleans (or, in fact, never left New Orleans's infamous Bourbon Street!).  No question, the locals missed such an entertaining, fun-loving crew!   For more J/22 East Coasts sailing information

Wehrheim Snags J/24 East Coasts

(Annapolis, MD)- For starters, PRO Mike Waters did one helluva job to get 55 boats off the line over the three days to get in five reasonably good races for the Hillman Capital Management J/24 East Coast Championships.  Hosted by Severn Sailing, this regatta marked one of the last events in the 2011 sailing calendar that enabled ANY J/24 team to "qualify" to sail in the 2012 J/24 World Championships in Rochester, NY-- basically, all you had to do was register, pay the fees and go sailing.  Big Kudos to Mark Hillman and family at HCM for having the "cojones" to support and sponsor this fun, crazy, warm-hearted group of sailors who not only love sailing against one another, but have a helluva party just about anywhere they go.  Hard to argue, some of those friendships have been earned over decades, literally!  Pain box?!  Maybe.  But, "liquid therapy" seems to lubricate a lot of things in this class (Advil seems to help, too).

Chief amongst the protagonists in this on-going, traveling, circus (soap opera?) are guys like Flipster, Chuckie, Wilbur, Mikey, Petey, Tim-boy and "old man" TP.  Don't know who they are?  Perhaps you should-- amongst them are multiple World Championships and North Americans in J/24s and even a World Team Race Championship, or two.  Needless to say, this is one incredibly competitive fleet and they have fun doing it, too.

This time around, it was Flip's turn.  Sailing his infamously named TEAMP POOP from Rochester, NY, Flip Wehrheim and crew, obviously practicing way, way too hard for the upcoming J/24 Worlds at their home club, sailed to a 2-2-1-3-11 to show their tail-feathers to the rest of the practitioners at the top of the J/24 kingdom.  Second was a spoiler, Stuart Challoner sailing SPOILSPORT from Island Heights YC.  Third was a class stalwart, Will Welles from Newport, RI sailing with Chuckie Allen to a solid 1-21-8-1-3 (Will was clearly not happy with the one double-digit result!). Fourth was Mike Ingham from Rochester YC, showing signs that he's not lost his touch and will clearly be a contender next year in Rochester for the Worlds.  Just one point behind him was Pete Levesque sailing WEST MARINE RIGGING from New York YC.  Of note, past World Champion Tim Healy sailing TEAM 11TH HOUR/ SAILORS FOR THE SEA finished in 7th despite some excellent scores (a bomber 30th hurt their chances); top Canadian finisher was Rossi Milev from Port Credit YC in Port Credit, Ontario finishing 6th; and the "long distance award" clearly goes to 9th place finisher Satoshi Kume sailing SOKOKUMARU from Hayana Marina YC in Japan!    For more J/24 East Coasts sailing information

MYSTERY MACHINE Eclipses J/105 East Coasts

(Annapolis, MD)- The East Coast Championship and the Chesapeake Bay Championship were combined for the fleet of eighteen J/105s that participated this year, including sailors from the extreme far north of the Canadian border (Toronto).  Extreme and unusual weather resulted in a Friday cancellation of Saturday's racing as high winds, extreme low temperatures, and wind driven wintery mix brought a halt to championship weekend on the Bay.  If any of you followed the weather this past weekend, you'd know that even now some people are without electrical power mid-week after snows up to 3 FEET (e.g. 1 meter) wiped out parts of the Northeast!

Sunday turned into a beautiful fall day and three races were held. The conditions were typical trailing edge filling winds from the Northwest with puffy 30 degree oscillating shifts, a persistent right shift, a big ebb current, and 16 boats trying to sort it out!

After 2 races THE MYSTERY MACHINE (Peter McChesney) had 5 points.  Just behind in a tie with 6 pts each were the Canadian team from Toronto, Ontario sailing HEY JUDE-- James Rathbun skippering with the 2011 New York YC Invitational Cup Winner Terry McLaughlin aboard as tactician-- and a local Annapolis team, INIGO skippered by Jim Konigsberg.

The AYC PRO set up a 5 leg finishing race for the championship.  MYSTERY MACHINE won the last race to capture first (6 pts), with HEY JUDE in 2nd (8 pts), and INIGO a 6th to hold onto 3rd place (12 pts).  VELOCE (Marty Bublitz & Eddie Hornick) finished 4th (13 pts) and BAT IV (Andrew Kennedy) in 5th (22 pts) to finish out the award positions.  Incredibly, only 5 points separated 5th to 11th place, the last and final race literally determining that 5th place trophy!

No one can say that they completely solved the tactics but the top boats mostly went to the left side on the upwind legs, inside the 1AH-Thomas Point current line, and that seemed to be the difference maker. The variety of conditions across the course made for big differences, with the boats that tried to protect the forecast right shift, to use the apparent better pressure, taking the biggest hit.  Incredibly, as the fleet spread over 7.5nm in the final race, the difference between the top of the fleet and the bottom finishers was about 20 minutes!  Nevertheless, all in all a fun day of racing, gorgeous, sunny and considering the craziness of Saturday, everyone was pleased to get in some good racing Sunday.

Special mention must be made of the performance of the US Naval Academy sailors.  Showing up five strong, the US Navy J/105 teams sailed well and the top honors amongst that group of college sailors goes to Mary Cox on ALLEGIANCE. Mary's team finished in 9th overall, part of that group that could easily have snatched 5th in the final go around.   For more J/105 East Coasts sailing information