Gorgeous Sailing Block Island Race Week

J/111s & J/29s Sweep Classes
(Block Island, RI)- During the "off year" Block Island Race Week (every even year), the fleet may be smaller since so many boats in the Northeast sail the Newport-Bermuda Race, but the racing and the camaraderie is no less fun.  In fact, the sailing is quit a bit more challenging and intimate since the boats that do participate are often well-sailed and have top teams aboard.  This year the fleet was greeted with spectacular weather, with shifty northerlies on the first day changing to classic S-SW winds for the balance of the week.  Most all fleets managed to sail nine races and "kudos" must be given to the Duck Island YC PRO, Susie Miller and her RC team for getting in some excellent racing.  The classic Around Block Island Race was won overall by the J/111 WICKED 2.0 sailed by Doug Curtiss and team from Buzzards Bay.

The J/109s were sailing their East Coast Championship and this year past champion Bill Sweetser and crew aboard RUSH managed to dash off eight 1sts and two 2nds for 10 pts to dominate their class and be crowned East Coast Champion.  Second was another past champion, Ted Herlihy sailing GUT FEELING to a record of two 1sts and seven 2nds and two 3rds for 16 pts.  Third was Hugh McLean on SHEARWATER.

In the hot, hot PHRF 1 Class, the J/111s swept the class taking the podium overall.  Leading the charge was Doug Curtiss's WICKED 2.0 with a 4-3-1-3-1-1-1-2-1 scoreline for 13 pts.  Second was Rod Johnstone's newly launched JAZZ sailing with a family team and scoring 2-6-2-4-3-2-2-1-2 for 18 pts.  Third was Paul Strauch's ANDIAMO sailing to a 3-2-4-2-6.5-4-3-6 for 27 pts.  Fourth 111 was Segwick Ward's BRAVO putting in a much stronger performance than last year, finishing just two points out of fifth overall!

In PHRF 2 Division, some of the strong J/29 rivalries continued with the MGHTY PUFFIN from Narragansett Bay taking on the "bad boys" from Long Island, the notoriously fun-loving "Espo" crew on HUSTLER. In the end, John & Tony Esposito on HUSTLER again proved they're a force to be reckoned with, winning yet another Block Island Race Week with seven 1sts and three 2nds for only 9 pts.  Second was Steve Thurston's team on the yacht MIGHTY PUFFIN, sailing their J/29 to an easy second place on the podium with two 1sts, five 2nds and three 3rds for 15 pts!  The J/105 SHE'S THE BOSS sailed by John Sutherland took fourth in class.  For more Block Island Race Week sailing information

The J-Cup 2012 Update

(Hamble, So'ton, England)- The J-Cup 2012 Driven by MIQ Logistics will be hosted at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, Southampton from Thursday 26th July to Saturday 28th July. The regatta will also include the inaugural Lombard J/97 UK National Championship. Lombard’s continued support of the J/97 Class reflects their recognition of the fleet’s rapid growth in the UK and of the standard of competition within the class. The regatta will also welcome the return of the J/109 UK National Championship 2012 Supported by Sebago. Both Championships will be raced according to the One-Design Class Rules.

2012 will mark the eleventh J-Cup, an event that has grown in size beyond all reasonable expectation, both in terms of the number of competitors involved and also by reputation. All J Boat owners are invited to compete; the racing is first class and the shore-side socials are legendary. This year a SailRacer results service sponsored by Wight Vodka has been launched which will allow live race blogging and live results directly from the regatta committee. The service was used at the recent J/80 World Championship in Dartmouth and was a roaring success.

Competitors will arrive for registration on Wednesday with three races scheduled for both Thursday and Friday. The final two races will take place on Saturday, followed by an extravagant prize-giving evening at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton to mark the end of what will no doubt be another extremely successful few days of racing. Competitors will not only be racing to win their classes but there will also be special prizes on offer to recognize exceptional performances on the water.  For more J/Cup sailing information

J/105 Wins Class In Coastal Cup Race

(Santa Barbara, CA)- This year the Coastal Cup returned to the beautiful city of Santa Barbara. Though little more than an hour north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is an oasis of peace and quiet on the warm, sandy California coast. The Spanish architecture and rugged mountains sloping down to the sea combine to give the city a distinctively Mediterranean flavor, and make it a tourist favorite.

Racing down the coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is fun and challenging, featuring a wide range of conditions - from the unpredictable upwind beat out past Land's End, the white knuckle spinnaker reaching off the treacherous Pt. Conception and Pt. Sur, to ghosting in the light morning breezes through the Channel Islands to finish off Santa Barbara. There is truly something to satisfy every sailing appetite.

This year, the J/125 TIMESHAVER sailed by Viggo Torbensen managed to grab third overall with Ed Sanford's J/105 CREATIVE won their class and the J/35c PEGASUS sailed by Marc Sykes finished second in class.   Watch J/125 TIMESHAVER sailing video on Coastal Cup Race  For more Coastal Cup Race sailing information

J/122 ARTIE Sailing Report

(Gzira, Malta)- The Rolex Giraglia Race Experience
"Hi J/Family- I'm writing this email to report on our Rolex Giraglia Cup Regatta we have just done on ARTIE ex J Lance a J 122. I think we sailed well and are happy with the boats performance. If you look at the results you will notice that we did not fair well on the leader board mainly because the organizers bunched up three groups made out of three Classes together due to the number of yachts taking part…..and in my opinion was not a fair deal as we were racing against GP 42s's and IRC 50/60 footers…..so in that sense we did not do as we had hoped. On the other hand and on the water we were the first forty footer to finish the two 'Long' offshore races…San Remo to St Tropez and the Giraglia.

The first long race was from San Remo (Italy) to St Tropez (France) around 45 miles. The start was at Midnight (my first time!) in 2 to 3 TWS and very lumpy seas. Once the gun went and with over 150 yachts in one mass start we positioned ourselves as clear of the main pack as was possible and had a brilliant start. In an hour we were leading the whole fleet in a very light beat taking every wind shift we could and kept leading the fleet till around 0500hrs in the morning when six fifty and sixty footers caught up with us and over took. We were the 7th boat to cross the finish line and scored a 6th overall. We didn’t win the race due to the fact that the wind died for us as we approached the finish line. The boat flies in these light conditions and is actually as fast as most 45 foot race boats at this point of sail.

Although we have raced this J 122 for two seasons including placing a 2nd and 1st in the last two Rolex Middle Sea Races, we never sailed her in winds above 35 knots for long periods. This year we had lots of wind and learnt a lot how to sail her in these conditions.

The long Giraglia race (241 miles) started in 35 knots true with a beat up to a rock (twenty miles) with a max wind speed of 41.4 knots at one point.  We had one Reef in the Main and the no4 Headsail and faired very well reaching the mark with 45/50 foot yachts. Once we rounded the rock we hoisted the A5 in 35/40 TWS. This was the first time we ever had these conditions and with four meter waves we quickly started surfing…..reaching a top speed of 19.8 knots at one point…..our average was between 13 and 16 knots SOG…. eating up the miles very fast. We did this for around four hours when the wind started to gust over forty……and were over canvased ….ending up in a momentous broach which we couldn't recover from…so pulled the chute down and hoisted our new JT…..we also shook out the Reef in the Main and shot off…..in more control and topped out at 21.6 knots on a wave….not bad for a forty footer with a whole interior of furnishings to cart around! We witnessed two yachts loose their mast and a total of eight yachts lost masts on this downwind leg. As we approached the Giraglia rock next morning the wind died to around 5 knots TWS and ended up doing the last 80 miles gybing downwind all the way to the finish, were we overtook a number of larger boats…..Final result 32nd overall in a fleet of 180 yachts. All the boats that beat us were much larger and more racy!

I am pleased with how the boat performed in strong winds and now know that the J 122 is not only a light weather wizard but rather a great all round performer.  Best, Christian"

Round Ireland Yacht Race Update

(Wicklow, Ireland)- The Round Ireland Yacht Race is Ireland’s premier offshore sailing race and is held every two years by Wicklow Sailing Club in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The 704 nautical mile race was first held in 1980 and still retains the original course; “leave Ireland and all its islands excluding Rockall to starboard.”

The calibre of the yachts sailing this race is a clear indication of the status in which the Round Ireland Yacht Race is held by the yachting world.  And, top Irish and UK teams from the J/Clan are all participating.  Long-time successful short-handed sailor Nick Martin will be sailing with his daughter Niki on the J/105 DIABLO-J- sailing Class IRC 3 and Class IRC 8 Double.  In IRC 3 Class are a bunch of J/109 trouble-makers, including SGRECH being sailed by Stephen Tudor from Pwlheli Sailing Club; JEDI sailed by Andrew Sarratt from Royal Irish YC; and JOKER 2 skippered by John Maybury also from Royal Irish YC.

A fast offshore boat that might find favor with the Round Island configuration is the J/120 NUNATAK sailed by Mike Jaques from RORC, sailing IRC 2 Class and IRC 8 Double Class.  They could be tough contenders for the Double-handed Honors with the Curwen's J/105 DIABLO-J.

Finally, the J/133 SPIRIT OF JACANA sailed by Bruce Douglas from Carrickfergus YC will be a top contender in IRC 1 Class and the J/122 AQUELINA sailed by Jim Tyrerell from Arklow SC in IRC 2 Class will always be strong contenders given the configuration of the race course-- around islands should be one of their strong suits for a top performance.  Given the fact that a mixture of sailing conditions will almost always be on offer from the weather Gods as you blast around what may be the world's "longest round island" race, the J/Teams should be in the hunt.

This past Sunday, the fleet took off is a strong 8-14 kt SSW breeze.  Weather forecast and routing specialist Mike Broughton of WinningWind.com gives us his weather predictions for the 2012 Round Ireland Yacht Race.  Said Mike, "Even a few days out from the start, this year’s Round Ireland looks set to provide a typical tactical challenge of all boats in the fleet. With the start of the race to be dominated by light to medium S to SW winds, no records are predicted to be broken this year.

The start on Sunday is expected to feature an 8 to 14 knot SSW breeze, meaning an upwind leg towards the Tuskar Rock where making the right tidal calls along the coast, and in particular the Arklow Bank, will be critical.

As the fleet rounds the Tuskar Rock, the winds will continue to be on the nose for the majority of the fleet as they make their way to the Fastnet Rock. Close, tactical racing along the headlands will dominate as the boats try to find the shortest route along the coast and get any windbend advantages from the headlands.

Conditions on Monday and Tuesday are showing a continuation of the SW winds as the boats make their way along the West Coast, with the potential for winds to veer to a NW direction. Keeping out of the bays could be important along the West Coast as boats weigh up the advantage of flatter seas against the potential for lighter winds in the sheltered bays.

More variable conditions in medium winds are expected along the North Coast. As always, the tides at Rathlin Island will have a significant say in the outcome of the race. Important tactical calls will have to be made as often lighter head tides offshore might make the longer distance travelled worthwhile.

The East Coast will provide fresh challenges for the crews as the large land mass to the west will significantly impact on the breeze. The development of rain radar reports on land will give crews an indication of the cloud conditions approaching and the chance to pick up stronger breeze with the bands of rain coming from the shore.

Overall, the Round Ireland will be a light air and tricky challenge. While it may favour the faster boats in the fleet at present, anything can happen!"

Mike is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who now specializes in providing forecasting and weather routing to the elite of the sailing world on a variety of events and race. Mike has been the official weather forecaster for the Irish Commodores’ Cup Team and, most notably, navigated the J/145 JAZZ to class victory in the 2004 Round Ireland Yacht Race.   For Round Ireland Race sailing tracks   For Round Ireland Sailing Facebook page   For more Round Ireland sailing information

J/111 Cruising & Day-Sailing

(Annapolis, MD)- The J/111 continues to amaze those who've had the privilege to sail one.  Whether racing offshore in demanding conditions, dueling around the buoys on classic "sausage" courses, or simply daysailing and cruising with family and friends, J/111 may be one of the most versatile 36 footers ever to come off the J drawing boards.  Fast, fun, easily handled by women and children the J/111 can be sailed short-handed by a family crew. Recently, we discovered that an all ladies crew were more than up to the task!

Having fun with a number of their friends on the Chesapeake were Barb Whited and her friends on a weekend regatta.  As she described, "we sailed the ladies spring race series. We did win the series, but it was closely fought. Most of the other boats rated over 160, but we left them in the dust after we all practiced for the first 2 races. The first day we had 2 - 4ths (last) while crew learned to work the boat and I got better jibing the boat. After that, we were 1st. We had 5 ladies and took a penalty for a male crew member since we just didn't have quite enough power with just the 5 ladies. My male helper cost me 5 more seconds (34), but we still won with 2 - 1sts, 1- 2nd, and a 4th.  Threw out one race. Wind was blowing those 2 days, up to 20 on the second day. We had no problems handling the boat.  We had a GREAT time. I was shocked to win since I gave the other boats so much time, but we left them in the dust on 3 out of 5 races."  Read more of Barb's story here on the J/Blog.   For more J/111 sailing information

Perfect Long Beach Race Week

J/109s Sweep PHRF 5
(Long Beach, CA)- Hosted by Alamitos Bay YC, the stars were out under a clear blue sky for the 134-boat Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week through the weekend.  Big or small, one-design or speed-rated handicaps, around the buoys or offshore ... whatever their pleasure, the best of the West were tested by the competition, the elements and parties onshore for three straight days of fabulous weather and gentle breezes in the Bay.  The annual event is the West Coast's largest keelboat regatta, co-hosted and organized by the Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Yacht Clubs.

In the J/105 and J/120 classes, respectively, Gary Mozer's Current OBSESSION 2 from Beverly Hills and John Laun's CAPER from San Diego were hoping to defend titles they fought to win on tie-breakers last year!  And, John Demourkas of Santa Barbara, who won the Farr 40 East Coast championship with his GROOVERDERCI earlier this month, was hoping to repeat that performance by sailing his renamed J/105 (from Rockin'n'Groovin to GROOVERDERCI). Also hoping to repeat was the J/80 AVET sailed by Curt Johnson of California YC.

The schedule for three races Saturday and the last two Sunday had great sailing with 11-16 kt southwest breezes and fairly flat seas under a clear blue sky.  Despite the gorgeous, benign weather, the competition was hot and fierce in the J/105 and J/120 classes.  For the J/105s, Gary Mozer's CURRENT OBSESSION 2 did manage to overcome some remarkably tough competition in the fourteen boat J/105 fleet, most practicing and gearing up for the upcoming J/105 North Americans in San Diego this fall.  Gary's team posted a 2-2-2-1-1-3-1 tally for 13 pts to win by eight points.  The battle for second place was an epic one between Rick Goebel's SANITY and John Demourkas' GROOVERDERCI, when the smoke cleared it was SANITY that won the tie-breaker at 21 pts each over GROOVERDERCI.

The eight boat J/120 class also saw a repeat winner, with John Laun's CAPER winning with a 1-2-1-1-1 for just 6 pts, winning by a huge ten point margin of victory.  Second was John Snook's JIM with 16 pts.  Third was determined on a tie-breaker between Peter Zarcades MELTEMI and Mike Hatch's J-ALMIGHTY, with MELTEMI winning the tie-breaker to snag third overall.

Rounding out the one-design classes, Curt Johnson sailed his J/80 AVET to another repeat regatta win with a scoreline of 3-1-3-1-1-1-1 for 11 pts, six points clear of the second place boat BLUE JAY sailed by Bob Hayward.  Third was Steve Wyman on NUHUNU.

In the PHRF handicap classes, winning PHRF Boat of the Week was Steven Crooke's J/109 SUGAR from Long Beach YC, posting a stellar scoreline of  1-3-1-1-1-4-1 for 12 pts to lead a class sweep for the J/109s in PHRF 5 Class.  Second in that class was a past winner Tom Brott on ELECTRA and third was Chris Mewes on SHADOWFAX.  Of note, Dr John Messenger's J/33 NITRO was fourth and Larry Leveille's J/29 RUSH STREET from Santa Barbara YC was 6th.

Mark Surber's J/125 DERIVATIVE from Coronado YC blew away their PHRF 2 class with straight firsts!  In PHRF 4 the J/35 RIVAL sailed by Dick Velthoen & David Boatner from Ventura YC posted a 1-2-1-2-2-1-2 for 8 pts but lost the tie-breaker, finishing second.  Yet another J/35, Steve McClure's MAC'S finished 5th.
Sailing Photo credits- Rich Roberts     For more Long Beach Race Week sailing information

J/70 Sailing Chicago & Florida

(Naples, FL)- Over the past few weeks, the J/70 has been sailing in Chicago and Florida.  In the Chicago area, Richie Stearns and the SAIL-22 crew (Ed & Becky Furry) have been sailing up and down the Chicago waterfront and soon all around the Midwest.  Recently, Richie, Lori and Ed "shadowed"the 35nm Chicago-Waukegan Race in a light-medium air southeasterly sailing up the lake from the Belmont Harbor starting line off the spectacular Chicago city-front north along the coast to Waukegan, Illinois.  The speeds and experiences surprised the trio on the J/70 as well as those who saw them sail with them (much, much bigger boats)-- they pacing with many 35-40 foot racing boats!  If you're in the greater Chicago region, please be sure to contact Richie Stearns at 847-404-2209 or rich@stearnsboating.com.  Meanwhile, down in Florida, Craig Crossley and crew have been making a circuit around Naples, Fort Myers, St Petersburg/ Tampa/ Clearwater on the West Coast and soon on the East Coast.  Be sure to contact Craig directly at 401-330-6135 or craig.crossley@gmail.com for a demo sail in Florida.  For more J/70 sailing information

J/24 US Nationals Preview

(Dillon, CO)- The "Two-Mile High" J/24 Nationals are taking place this weekend in Dillon, Colorado in one of the most picturesque settings in America's Rocky Mountains, if not the world.  Dillon Reservoir has to be one of the world's more challenging places to sail, like any mountain lake at a maximum elevation of 9017 feet (2,748 m) the winds come flowing over the mountains from every direction, often forming their own "micro-bursts" as you're sailing upwind or downwind.  Sometimes on the same leg, you're planing downwind under spinnaker while the boats around you are beating upwind with jibs up!! The activity for many can literally leave them breathless at such altitudes-- imagine a J/24 Worlds on Lake Titicaca in Peru at 12,000+ feet!

The J/24 teams sailing Dillon Reservoir are on a naturally formed lake that remained unnoticed until the mid-19th century, when gold was discovered in the area. Upon this discovery, the trade post town of Dillon was formed. The town of Dillon was on the bank of the Blue River and was the most populous area in Summit County. In the mid-20th century, ski resorts were becoming popular, outweighing the mines in the economy of the area; the town lost many residents to them. The lake became a target for expansion by the city of Denver, who deemed it necessary to have a water reserve in the high country.  The dam was constructed in 1961, enlarging the small finger lake into the massive reservoir it is today-- great for sailing!  The original town of Dillon was left to be flooded over and residents were forced to move.

For those who love sailing, the outdoors, majestic vistas and incredibly fun, but challenging mountain lake sailing, Lake Dillon ranks amongst the best in the world.  Answering that call are an amazing range of thirty-six J/24 teams from across America.  World, North American, National and Regional Champions in the J/24 class are all making the migration to the Rockies for some fun and frolic in nose-bleed territory.  Featured amongst the top teams will be Tim Healey's 11TH HOUR RACING from Newport, RI; Chris Snow's BOGUS from San Diego, CA; Pat Toole's 3 BIG DOGS team from Santa Barbara, CA; and the notorious Brian Simkins from Centerport YC sailing the appropriately named SHOULDA WOULDA COULDA .  For more J/24 Nationals sailing information

J/22 Worlds Preview

(Le Crouesty, France)- With twenty-six teams attending from Netherlands, Germany, France and the Cayman Islands and, for the first time, no Americans sailing, the J/22 Worlds were certain to establish new leaders on the world stage.  Sailing in the gorgeous, famous waters off Le Crouesty, France and hosted by the extraordinary YC Crouesty-Arzon, the sailors are certain to be in for a treat given the fact the weather cooperates for some of the best French sailing anywhere.

From the Netherlands teams, certain to be a factor in the top results will be Wouter Kollman's HENRI LLOYD team.  Sailing well for the French host teams have been JULIE sailed by Jean Queveau, Clair Pouteua's SOFFE and Bernard Andre's MAJIC.  The German teams have been sailing faster, consistently and Christian Rieckborn's JOLLY JUMPER and Rheinhold Gross's JAMAICA's KRONJUWEL 22KARAT will be a factor in the competition.  A surprise factor may be the sole Cayman Islands team sailed by Mike Farrington on JUST LEAVING, recent champions in their local waters.   For more J/22 Worlds sailing information