JJ PALMENSIS Lanzarote Island Cup J/80 Champion!

(Lanzarote, Canary Islands)- For a fleet of twenty-five boats, it's hard to beat some of the world's best J/80 sailors in the windy, wavy conditions you often see for even the evening beer can racing off the Canaries.  Blessed with "super San Francisco" conditions- 15-30 knots, sunny, clear azure blue waters, it's hard not to like racing in these conditions, especially planing off the wind in clouds of spray.

Gustavo Martinez and team on JJ PALMENSIS found the racing and the conditions very much to their liking, they're proclaimed Champions and Kings of the J/80 World in the Canary Islands! They worked hard to earn the top of the podium over three weekends of sailing, ultimately, beating out past J/80 World Champion Rayco Tabares sailing the famous GRAND HOTEL ISLAS CANARIAS.   For more Lanzarote Island Cup sailing information.

J/92 MOJITO Lighting It Up in Hong Kong!

(Hebe Haven YC, Hong Kong, China)-  The sailing reports from some of our J Sailors from across the world are always an entertaining, fun read.  Recently, Simon Blore sailed his J/92s MOJITO in the eight race Hebe Haven YC Winter Series from late October to early December.  Here's Simon's report:

"Rating at 0.994, the J/92S MOJITO was the lowest rated (slowest) boat in the IRC division, up against its main rival the X35 Vixen, plus a new lightweight GP26, with a rating at 1.053. At various times the Millennium 45 Surfdude joined the fray, as did the Holland 38 RB and King 40 Blondie. Recognizing the need for a bit more light air power, MOJITO added a larger light air #1 North 3DL sail in to their inventory in the autumn, with a new #2 3Di also included, to take over the headsail duties from 10 kts and above.

The light air #1 was used for all of the first 6 races, with winds rarely much above 10 kts, but the new grunt provided by the specialist light air jib allowed some improved performances, and top 3 finishes to put MOJITO one point ahead of the light air specialist boat the X35 with two final races remaining.

On the final day it was still all to play for, and with Vixen only a point behind, the X35 looked in supreme form pre-race with a good spinnaker run in 17-20 kts of breeze, meanwhile we were struggling to get our no3 headsail to work, and only just had our no2 ready for the start sequence.

In the race proper though, MOJITO was honking along in the strong winds with the new 3Di, and on the first run, Vixen unravelled with a botched gybe and a trapped kite making them retire, meanwhile the J/92S sailed a bit more conservatively with the smaller A2 kite to post a strong time.

In Race 2, again the pressure was on the X35, and with gusts regularly in the mid 20's, MOJITO was matching Vixen's pace upwind and down, and eventually on the second run, another bad gybe by Vixen saw her dropping her kite again, and MOJITO came through to just beat her on the line, and take the handicap win with ease. Also out on the final day was the new McConaghy 38 Tornado 2, with the factory works team, and this boat (rating at 1.260) lit up the race course with impressive pace, but at the final prize-giving, the little J92S crew were delighted to record two victories over the Mc38, and post a 1 and a 2 for the day, and so seal the series win by 4 pts!"

GO FIT Leads J/80 Trofeo IMPREDIGITAL

(Santander, Spain)- The Federacion Cantabra de Vela hosted the Trofeo IMPREDIGITAL for a big fleet of 27 J/80s with over 100 sailors on the starting line-- an excellent turnout for this event.  The racing was marred by some controversy as five of the top ten boats were disqualified for OCS violations.  Nevertheless, for most of the fleet is was a great day of sailing.

The wind started out of the West and kept veering to the Southwest in an oscillating-persistent wind shift, making for challenging, tactical racing.  Furthermore, with a strong adverse current whistling down the shoreline, it was also important to short-tack the beach to gain tactical advantage on the boats around you.  The racing started near the beach of Magdalena and the windward mark was near FCV yacht club.

In the end, GO FIT sailed by David Madrazo won, followed in 2nd by Tonio Piris sailing YATES & COSAS, 3rd was Jesus Amaliach on RAITA, 4th Luis Arrarte on ROGUE and 5th Pichu Torcida on ECC VIVIENDAS.   For more Trofeo ImpreDigital sailing information

JING JING King's Cup Update

(Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand)- 2011 was the 25th anniversary of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. The event attracted the largest fleet in the competition’s history with 91 keelboats and over a thousand sailors from 33 countries across the globe. Conditions have been good for much of the week, and comments centered on the enjoyable racing and spectacular beach-side parties each evening.

While the regatta proved challenging for them against a fleet of relatively new IRC 40 footers, Rick Pointon's team on the J/130 JING JING from Hong Kong, China hung in the top ten and got in some great racing, even managing a fourth in one of them.  In the end, the more professional teams prevailed while the corinthian sailors had an enjoyable time in the spectacular sailing conditions-- a far cry from last year's storms, rain, wind, waves that saw some wreckage on the beaches in front of the gorgeous Kata Beach Club Resort. Rick is hoping a few more J Sailors join him for next year's event!   Sailing photo credits- Guy Nowell.   For more Phuket King's Cup Regatta sailing information.

Happy Holidays- Help Introduce Sailing to Friends!

* HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  HAPPY SAILING?  Why not?  Help Introduce Sailing to Friends and Colleagues- Now is as good a time as ever to Consider a gift to your local sailing community or yacht club programs.  Here in Newport, we give as much support as we can to SailNewport- renowned not just for hosting regattas for the America's Cup World Series in the AC45 cats next June, but hosting regattas for kids in Optis, 420s, Vanguard 15s and adult evening sailing in J/22s.  It is a "community sailing" program open to all.

For example, gifts from fellow sailors and friends who support public access to sailing provide vital funding source for Sail Newport. You can continue to provide sailing opportunities for all ages and skill levels and help chart the course of the future for the sport of sailing.  Learn more and donate online.

Does someone you know want to learn to sail, or, learn to sail better? Give a gift that will inspire, teach and provide a healthy sport! We have gift certificates available for memberships, sailing lessons and rentals for those who already know how to sail. For information on sailing certificates.

For those J Sailors from across the Americas and other parts of the world, consider doing something similar for your local community sailing programs (or yacht club/ sailing club programs who have similar offerings)!

The Perfect Gift For People Who Love Sailing!

NEW 2012 J/Calendar (Newport, RI)- For 2012 we've created another beautiful calendar for J sailors who love the joys of sailing a J in some of the most spectacular harbors and waters of the world.  Whether you are a cruising, racing or armchair sailor, these stunning sailboat photographs will  transport you to wonderful sailing experiences in far away places. Enjoy the color and excitement of J sailing with these gorgeous photos. The J/Sailing Calendar features photos of a J/44 powering upwind off Key West, a flying J/24 on the Chesapeake, J/125s dueling on San Francisco Bay, surrealistic scenes of J/80s off the Cantabrian and Brittany Coasts, a J/120 and J/95 playing in the azure waters of the Caribbean and J/105s parading past Alcatraz in a pastel of colors.  A great gift for loved ones, family, friends and crew!  See the 2012 J/Calendar and order now.

Texas Team SAIL Best Around Buoys Winners!

(Boston, MA)- A Texas-based crew, comprised of Ryan & Jana Glaze and brothers Max & Jake Scott, sailing J/22s, Vanguard 15s and Melges 24s from Rush Creek YC in Dallas, Texas won SAIL’s 2nd annual Best Around the Buoys (BAB) competition, earning them free entry in the J/80 class at Quantum Key West Race Week 2012, January 15-20.

The Glazes and Scotts beat out approximately 80 other entries based on their one-design record in 2011.  Among other successes, the team took 12th in the recent 2011 J/22 Worlds on FAST LANE held at Southern YC in New Orleans, LA against 64 boats (even winning a race!).  On a regional/national basis, the Glaze's took first in the Vanguard 15 class in the Galveston Bay Championship Regatta and 8th out of 30 at the Vanguard 15 North American Championships.  On a local Dallas fleet level sailing on Lake Ray Hubbard, the Glaze/Scott team took first in the Melges 24 Black Tie Regatta and RCYC's Fleet Championship.

Ryan first got into sailing at the age of 8, when his father decided to buy a Catalina 27 for his 40th birthday. He and the Scott brothers all grew up together on Lake Ray Hubbard and have sailed together on everything from Optis to Laser 2s, J/22s and a J/105.

“Max, Jake and I have special bond. Not only did we grow up sailing together, we grew up doing everything together--- from playing football or basketball in the driveway as kids [to being] groomsmen in each others weddings,” Ryan says. “We all love to race sailboats, and we love racing with each other even more.”

Ryan describes Quantum Key West Race Week as a “bucket list regatta” he’s long been interested in. “Beautiful location, great atmosphere and even better competition: it says something about an event when a boat owner sets his build schedule for a custom racer based on getting there in time for Key West Race Week, or teams pull together their resources in order to be a part of it year after year.”

As the winning crew of this year’s BAB contest, the Texas crew will receive free use of a J/80 from J/Boats with a new set of canvas from North Sails. Harken will outfit the crew in full racing kit, while Quantum Key West Organizer Premier Racing will provide accommodations and waive all entrance fees. Additional support will be provided by US Sailing. In 2011, the Cleveland-based crew of the J/105 IT! took first place in their division racing the J/111 KONTIKI V in the inaugural SAIL BAB competition, so the pressure is on!

J/111 JAKE Thunders Down Under!

(Sydney, Australia)- The Australian J/111 JAKE owned by Ray & Sandra Entwistle has been busy competing in two offshore series since her launch at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.  The Short Offshore Pointscore Series is 7 race windward/leeward series held just off Sydney Harbour Heads.  The Ocean Pointscore series is a 6 race series of passage races north out of Sydney Harbour towards Pittwater and south towards Botany Bay and Cronulla of around 50nm.  Here's Ray's report about the thunder they're generating Down Under:

"The J/111 is one of the smallest boats in these highly competitive IRC Division 1 Sydney fleets.  The two fleets in the two events have included boats from Beneteau First 40s, 45s, 47.7s,  Cookson 12s, DK 43s, one off 50 footers, Corby 49, Transpac 52s, Kerr 40, Sydney Kerr 43, Swan 60, to name a few.  A Volvo 60 even joined in the fun for few races.

The weather was a real mix from drifters to over 30 knots, clear sunny days to complete fog "white-outs", but the J/111 showed no vices in any wind or sea state. She just reveled right through the range often beating much larger boats on the beat and on the water. Off wind she is an absolute dream and we have seen speeds of over 18 knots.

Bang for buck the J/111 has really gone head to head with much more expensive programs. She has proven beyond doubt this new 36 footer can mix it up with highly professional crewed boats. The crew and many visitors have complimented how easy she is to sail, and really enjoy that adrenalin rush that is missing from so many models these days.  The J/111 really responds to every tweak and change in trim.

JAKE finished 2nd on IRC in both series.  We know we still have a bit more to learn about her, and can’t wait for the next series to start so we can work to claim first prize."  For more J/111 sailboat information.

INVICTUS Wins J/80 Hong Kong Nationals

(Middle Island, Hong Kong, China)- The J/80 class in Hong Kong were treated to "chamber of commerce" conditions-- sun and gorgeous 12-15 kt Easterlies- for the first J/80 Hong Kong Class Championship.  Hosted by the gracious Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the highly competitive fifteen boat fleet were treated to some great racing over the first weekend in November sailing in the waters off Lamma Island.

The regular fleet racers we're pleasantly surprised to see three bullets of the four-race first day go to Tristan Stewart on JAVELIN, they were sailing in only their second regatta outing with the J/80 - well done guys! Other notable results for the day was a 1 and a 2 for Peter Backe on INVICTUS, a 2 in the first race for Rob Tanner on his new boat EPEKWIT'K and a third for Lucinda Ho on MOZZIE.

From the dock, Sunday looked very soft at first but the forecast held and the fleet enjoyed a building breeze throughout the day. After two general recalls in the first race, the RHKYC's PRO sent up the black flag and, not surprisingly, the sailors held back and saw a much more conservative start.  Louie Perfectua in JELIK 7 took the first race, with Andrew Moore & Lionel Welch on TIGRINA in second.  JELIK 6, helmed by Rafael Buitre took third.

With the whole fleet suitably warmed up there were some very crowded mark roundings and finishes for the rest of the day. Race 6 was especially close at the first top mark with the majority of the fleet approaching on port lay and plenty of slaloming to avoid boats already around the mark with kites on their way up or made.  Peter Backe on INVICTUS won race 6 and 8, and Tristan Stewart on JAVELIN was back on form to take the bullet in Race 7.

At the end of the day, "Congratulations" are on order to Peter and his crew on INVICTUS for the overall win, Louie on JELIK 7 in second, and Tristan on JAVELIN for third.  Sailing Photo Credits- Ris Sattinasiri Wood   Full results: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/J80Results.aspx   J/80 Hong Kong Class Association: http://www.facebook.com/J80HKG

J/120 CARINTHIA Wins Epic Wirth Munroe Race!

(Palm Beach, Florida)- This year's fleet in the annual Wirth Munroe Memorial Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Yacht Race got a bit more than they bargained for.  To say the least, race conditions were challenging, with 20+ knot ENE winds gusting to 30 knots and sea conditions considered “sporty” as the northbound Gulf Stream built waves to 8-12 feet, many with breaking wave-tops.  For some of the modern ocean-racing machines (TP 52s and similar stuff), it was a bit too much as once the fleet got out of the southbound "flat water" just off Fort Lauderdale and they hit the current wall (a.k.a. "the conveyor belt") only a few miles offshore, the wave conditions made even the hardiest of San Francisco Bay or Solent sailors stand up and take notice-- these were ginormous, vertical-walled waves that often broke across the bows and down the deck in a wall of water, doing their best to wash crews down the deck and over the side.  Epic conditions, indeed! But also scarily spectacular.  The northbound Gulf Stream running 2-4 nm offshore was screaming, making the water look like a monstrous washing machine. As a result, several competitors abandoned racing and arrived at Palm Beach's Lake Worth Inlet under power, although no one reported injuries or damage.

Reveling in the tough conditions were the tough hombres from Lake St Clair, Michigan, all experienced Mackinac Race veterans who've seen far worse stuff than what the Stream was throwing at them.  Frank Kern's cracker-jack team aboard his J/120 CARINTHIA smashed through the massive waves and proceed to take 1st overall in PHRF Division on corrected time, taking the Sailfish Club/ Cruising Club of America's silverware back to Detroit for safe-keeping!  Just behind them in third place was David Bond's well-sailed offshore team aboard the J/105 LOKI and finishing a respectable fourth was Bob Kirkman's J/120 HOT TICKET.

In the IRC Class, Jim Bishop’s J/44 WHITE GOLD also cleaned out the trophy shelves at the Sailfish YC, taking the "First CCA Yacht to finish" and "First Sailfish Club Yacht to finish".  

Here's some commentary from Frank's CARINTHIA blog on the race- "Carinthia has done this race now a number of years so it was very close to the conditions we have seen before. As part of the southern circuit Hot Ticket again joined us for the "race to the buffet". She was late getting to the start for which was explained to us later.

Apparently a crew member who was late delivering a sail caused HT to miss the 9am opening of the Fort Lauderdale 17th street bridge to reach the Atlantic Ocean. After much discussion the decision was made that they would be able to clear it.  Except a scary moment occurred when the radio antenna on top of the mast scraped the bottom of the bridge and navigation lights on the spans in spite everyone sitting on the end of the boom to tilt her.

To make things worse after arriving in the starting area their #3 genoa went up incorrectly and had to be taken down minutes before the start. With all that distractions we were the first boat to the ocean side of the line at the gun with the J105 Loki a little behind and to our leeward. HT was noticeably late on the shore side of the line. We decided that we would start with our #1 with the wind speed in the high teens close hauled and from the northeast. In the first 10 to 15 miles Hot Ticket managed to match speed with us, but we made every opportunity to point as high as we could so we could sail into the gulf stream. Loki soon fell back and we were the farthest right in our fleet. We started getting lifted and continued to get out farther right. About 20 miles up we were heavy in the Gulf Stream with the miserable 8 foot pounding waves that accompanied it. On the conveyor we got nearly a 2 knot kick that catapulted us ahead of everyone in the PHRF fleet including Ticket. By the time we reached the end of the 40 mile course the other J120 was nearly 4 miles behind us. At the end we were headed but made the finish line without tacking. The boats behind had to tack 4 times to stay off the beach."
  
Of note, the Wirth Munroe Memorial Yacht Race has been held each of the last 55 years on the first Friday in December, co-sponsored by The Sailfish Club of Florida and the Cruising Club of America.  First raced in 1957, the invitational competition was organized by Richard Bertram (famous for creating the Bertram Yachts line of powerboats) to remember Miami-based yacht designer Wirth Munroe, whose renowned craft included "Comanche" (the Columbia 33) and the 30’ Sea Sailer class. Originally contested from Miami north to Palm Beach as a warmup to the SORC, the course has now been shortened to start from Fort Lauderdale. Over the years winners of the race have included Ted Turner, the billionaire CNN cable news media mogul-- also famous for racing the 12 meter COURAGEOUS in the America's Cup and winning his first SORC on the Ranger 37 MUNEQUITA.    Read more on CARINTHIA'S blog here.   For more Wirth Munroe Race sailing results.