J/70 Ullman Sails Testing

(Newport Beach, CA)- here are some cool pictures. And, a report from the team:

“My son is doing his senior high school project at Ullman Sails and we have gotten to know Alex Curtiss there who is now head of the one-design program at the local loft. Alex graduated last year from St. Mary’s. He and the owner of the local loft, Bruce Cooper, wanted to sail test their new heavy air and all-purpose jibs as a follow-up to the San Francisco Worlds. Seeing that Friday was going to be windy with a 20 – 25 knot Santa Ana they rigged up to be out on the water early for two boat testing.

In USA 32 (Dave Ullman’s old boat that is now owned by Bruce and Sean Bennett, who won Corinthian at Worlds) was Bruce, Scott Mais (a Newport Harbor High School sailor), Ryan Davidson from Ullman Sails, and David Wood (a Corona del Mar High School sailor that was part of the team with my son in St. Pete for the High School Keelboat Championship).

On our boat (USA 70) were Robert (my son), Alex, Dodge Rees (who graduated from College of Charleston last year and is now the head coach at Newport Harbor YC and the coach for Newport Harbor High School) and Justin Law (who is former recent head coach at Newport Harbor YC and coach for Newport Harbor High School).

The wind did not disappoint and the two boats got in a good four hours of testing. A pro photographer friend, Bronny Daniels at JoySailing.com (http://www.joysailing.com), got the photos from the Ullman RIB with Matt Stevens, the assistant coach for Corona del Mar High School.”  Thanks for the report from Tom Garrett in Newport Beach, California.

J/24 Midwinters Preview

(Indian Harbour Beach, FL)- Casts of thousands are headed south to the gorgeous, soft shell sand beaches of Florida, all escapees from the nasty northeaster blizzard called “Niko”, a deepening low pressure weather system that underwent "bombogensis" and wrecked havoc on the northeastern parts of the USA.  In that massive migration south, over two dozen J/24 sailors are headed to their 39th annual J/24 Midwinter Championship, hosted by the pretty Eau Gallie Yacht Club located in Indian Harbour Beach, FL.  The regatta is running from February 10th to 12th with up to ten races planned.

Thirty-five J/24s will be launching at their deep-water marina located at the mouth of the “big” Banana River just off the Intra-Coastal waterway on Florida’s east coast.  Immediately north of where the fleet will be sailing is the famous “moon shot” complex, NASA’s Cape Canaveral, home of the famous Space Shuttles and the massive Saturn 1B launch rocket- capable of tossing 21 TONS into orbit! That’s a lot of bananas!

The fleet consists of the usual rogue’s gallery of sailors who will tell you that not one sportsboat sailor on the planet, from any class or brand, can finish in the top three of any major J/24 regatta.  They may have a point there, since most sportboat crews would have no clue what to do with a triangular-shaped piece of nylon flown off a pole that you have to connect to a ring on the mast and, then, be careful not to fall overboard while doing the “watusi” on the foredeck!  That takes talent, for sure!

Leading the charge for the locals might be none other than the first International J/24 Class President, Dick Tillman.  Tillman will be skippering INTRACOASTAL BREWERY from Merritt Island, FL.  Other Melbourne YC members supporting the event are Brad Stowers’ DOUBLE DARE, John Tworkowski’s FINE FINISH, Robert Rastello’s FOSSIL, Paul Anstey’s J-PEAS, and Chris Gates’ FLASHBACK.  Local knowledge is a good thing in them there parts, something about “rednecks” knowing the waters and stuff about ‘gators and chickunz’, all related to tides and currents, of course.

Hoping to overcome the “locals” natural advantage are a heap of World, European, North American, Midwinter Champions from days of glory gone past.  John Mollicone’s HELLY HANSEN from SAIL NEWPORT in Newport, RI may top that list (has a few World Champions on board).  Others hoping to top the leaderboard certainly include Travis Odenbach’s infamous HONEYBADGER from Rochester YC; Todd Fedyszyn’s SPOONY TACTICS from Davis Island YC; Carter White’s Maine-iacs on board SEA BAGS SAILING TEAM from Portland YC; Will Welles’ BOGUS from Mount Desert Island Sailing Club in Newport, RI; Robby Brown’s ANGEL OF HARLEM crew (not from NY!) from Davis Island YC; Mike Ingham’s TARHEEL from Rochester YC; and Aidan Glackin’s MENTAL FLOSS FROM Lloyd Harbor YC in New York.  Traveling from north of the border are Evan Petley-Jones from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax, Nova Scotia (long drive boys!) and Nathan Bresett’s WOODCHUCK from Bay of Quinte YC in Belleville, Ontario.  For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information

CARISMA Tops J/24 Yucatan “Regata de Amigos”

(Cancun, Mexico)- Jorge Ojeda and friends continue to have a great time sailing in their local fleet of J/24s on that spectacular peninsula in the northeastern part of Mexico- the Yucatan- a region famous for its enormous Mayan cities (ruins), like Chichen Itza and Tulum’s spectacular fortress along the eastern shoreline.  The beaches are fabulously white (made from shells and coral) with baby blue waves crashing on the shoreline, and the waters offshore are just 2-3nm max from the famous cobalt blue Gulf Stream- teeming with wildlife that is beyond belief- like giant bluefin tuna, huge sailfish capable of swimming in 60 kt bursts, monster sunfish 12 ft across, gazillions of flying fish attempting suicide on various boat decks and, of course, a wide variety of sharks looking to munch on something tasty (hopefully, not your toes while you hike on the weather rail!).

The “Regatta of Friends 2017”, hosted by the J/24 Yucatan Fleet, was lots and lots of fun.  It was a good weekend for sailing with changing winds and unusual wind directions.  The fleet started off racing with 10 kts of breeze, but soon it grew fast to 20-30 kts.  For the fleet of nine boats, it was extremely exciting racing offshore!

Congratulations to the team of CARISMA, skippered by Tomas Dutton that sailed to a 1-4-1 for 6 pts.  Taking second were their friends on FILIBUSTERO just one point behind them!  Third was the VENDAVAL crew with 12 pts based on a 2-5-5 tally.  For more Yucatan J/24 Fleet sailing information

Edgartown Race Weekend Announcement

(Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, MA)- Starting to plan for your summer sailing program on Cape Cod and the islands??  Don’t forget the granddaddy of them all- Edgartown Yacht Club's 'Round-the-Island Race and the Edgartown YC Race Weekend!  The regatta takes place from July 20th to 22nd, 2017.

Like 2016, the J/Boats participants in 2017 will all be honored with trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place on corrected time amongst all the J/Boats in all classes!!  Last year, a broad range of J/teams participated, including J/29s, J/35, J/105s, J/109s, J/111s, J/120s, J/122s, J/42s and a J/46.

For more information, please contact Margaret Passafiume/ Race Administrator/ Edgartown Yacht Club/ 508-627-4364/ racer@edgartownyc.org or go to their website- http://rtirace.org/

LA SUPERBA Leads Italian J/24 Winter Series

(Anzio & Nettuno, Italy)- In the seventh stage of the 42nd Winter Championship, the fleet was able to enjoy two good races in adverse weather and sea conditions.  Leading this particular event, was the J/24 Raggio Verde di Savastano.

"The day started with no wind and an annoying residual air from the South East. The arrival at 1400 hrs of a light breeze from the west that rarely touched 7 knots, allowed the race committee (chaired by Mario de Grenet) to run two good races,” explained Federico Miccio of JUMPING JACK FLASH.

The big story of the regatta was the amazing performance by ITA 191 Raggio Verde di Savastano skippered by Carmelo Savastano with Francesco Linares on tactics.  They were followed by top Hungarian crew HUN 162 JUKE BOXING skippered by Miklos Rauschenberger and in third place by the top Italian Navy crew- Ignazio Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA.  It has been an exciting series since many Hungarian boats are using these events for training for the 2017 European Championships in Hungary on Lake Balaton and the 2018 World Championships taking place on the same lake!

The overall winter championship standings show that Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA (with crew of Simone Scontrino, Alfredo Branciforte, Francesco Picaro and Vincenzo Vano) are still leading the series with just 11 pts.  Sitting in second is ITA 447 PELLE NERO owned by Paul Cecamore and skippered by the 2014 Soling World Champion, the Hungarian Farkas Litkey, with 22 pts total.  In third is PELLE ROSSA owned by Gianni Riccobono and skippered by Sergio Strippoli with 42 pts.  For more Italian J/24 Winter sailing information

driveHG.ca J/24 Worlds 2017 Announcement

(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)- The International J/24 Class Association and the Port Credit Yacht Club of Mississauga, Canada, will be hosting the 2017 World Championship for J/24 class yachts from September 15th to 23rd, 2017. The J/24 is an international One-Design keelboat class and the most popular racing keelboat in the world with over 5,480 boats being sailed in 165 fleets and 110 countries.

The 2017 J/24 Worlds will be a week long event; competitors arrive for 3-1/2 days of official boat measuring and required safety checks.  Then, after a practice race, there will be five days of racing held on Lake Ontario’s western waterfront. Eighty-five teams, involving at least 400 top racing yachtsmen and yachtswomen, are expected to compete in the challenging ten-race series. Competitors will be provided with meals and entertainment at various events and times.   For J/24 Worlds registration information, please go to the website here.   For more drive.HG J/24 World Championship sailing information

2nd Women’s Sailing Cup Italia Announcement

(Chiavari, Italy)- Blue Project together with Città di Chiavari, Marina di Chiavari, and Lega Navale Italia Sez di Lavagna, are organizing the 2nd Women’s Sailing Cup Italia.  The event is 100% Women, 100% Sport, 100% Solidarity to promote women sailing across Europe and raise funds for the Italian Association for Research on Cancer- all women from around the world are welcome to join us!!

The regatta will be held on Blue Project’s J/80’s and the dates are 24th to 26th of March 2017.  The 2016 event proved to be an extremely popular program for women’s team from across Europe- Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden, France, Netherlands, and Slovenia.

The initial interest for this year’s event is expected to eclipse last year’s program, with crews expressing interest from over a dozen European nations.  Please contact Ivana Quattrini for more information- ph# +39-335-8093904/ email- info@blueprojectsailing.com/ www.blueprojectsailing.com   Facebook Italia Women’s Cup page.

Hardesty Wins San Diego YC Championship!

(San Diego, CA)- The 2017 sailing season continued this past weekend, January 28 & 29, in La Playa for one of San Diego DYC’s signature events - the 6th annual Club Championships sailed on their fleet of matched J/22 one-design sailboats. As always, competitors brought their energy, talent, and competitive spirit to the race course (and the race dock). The event featured 60 races over two days that were exciting for both participants and spectators.

The wind was a little shy at the beginning of the regatta on Saturday, starting off light from the south. The Race Committee optimistically started a race, but it was abandoned when the wind shut off completely. When the breeze picked up out of the south again, racing resumed. Once again, the southerly died after the second start of the first race, but this time the normal westerly had begun to fill and competitors were able to finish the race. The westerly stayed around for the rest of the day and the Race Committee was able to get 28 races in. Sunday’s racing was postponed until just before noon when the wind picked up out of the west. After that, Sunday was a perfect day, with decent wind between 3-8 knots throughout most of the afternoon and temperatures in the mid-70s.

More than just an excuse to race in SDYC’s J/22 one-design class sailboats, Club Champs is an event inclusive of all members to promote racing among club fleets and families, and to celebrate friendly rivalries around the club. World Champion sailors compete alongside novice racers and SDYC juniors, some as young as 13 years old. Fun and membership camaraderie are main components of the weekend. For those thirsty for more than competitive racing, Bay City Brewing Company was out on the race dock and present at the post racing celebrations with some of their most popular beers on tap for participants of age.

The Catamaran Fleet, skippered by Bill Hardesty with crew Mandi Hardesty and Ty Reed, took the 2017 title after winning 11 of their 15 races. Of course, winning is nothing new for this team - Mandi has been on the winning Club Champs team for the past 3 years, while Bill was the winning skipper in 2015. The Catamaran Fleet actually finished in a tie for first place with the Star Fleet. Race Committee determined The Catamaran Fleet the winner after considering who beat whom in the last race – and therefore, second place went to the Star Fleet, consisting of skipper George Szabo and crew members Craig Moss, Stacey Szabo, and Julie Mitchell. In third place was Team Reynolds with skipper Greg Reynolds, and crew members Matt and Jake Reynolds.

Mandi explained why she keeps racing Club Champs each year. “I've sailed the Club Champs for the past three years because it's such a great event sailed right off the docks allowing for wonderful spectating and camaraderie. My family and friends and especially my son could watch the action close up. And it is exciting - this year the title came down to the last leg of the last race. We were fortunate to come out on top against so many accomplished sailors from one of the most competitive yacht clubs in the world.”

A big “Thank You” to all of the racers, support crew, and spectators who help to make this annual event fun and inclusive to all members, fleets, and families.  Plus, a big “Thank You” to the SDYC staff in the Sailing Office, catering, and the kitchen that work tirelessly and collaborated to help keep events running smoothly.

Many people have volunteered numerous hours of their time to make this another successful Club Championship Regatta including; Regatta Co-Chairs- Joanne O’Dea and Tiffany Billings and Regatta PRO- Susi Graff!   For more J/22 San Diego YC Championship sailing information

CARRERA Crowned J/24 South American Champions

(Punta del Este, Uruguay)- The 2017 J/24 South American Championship was hosted by the extraordinary club  members at the Yacht Club Punta del Este on the gorgeous “Latin American Riviera” known simply as “Punta”.  Surrounded by spectacular high-rises, even more spectacular beaches, and an amazing harbor/bay to race around, the eighteen teams from three countries- Argentina (11), Peru (2) and Uruguay (5)- experienced near champagne conditions for the entire regatta.

After ten races, there was no question the class act of the regatta was the Argentinean crew on CARRERA, led by skipper Matias Pereira and crew of A Guerra, J Bellinotto, E Losano and G Bellinito.  Winning 4 of 10 races ultimately led to a winning total of 24 pts.

The first day of sailing the regatta was epic.  Three races in 18-23 kts of breeze, big waves and lots of sun!  The locals from Uruguay were tough in these conditions.  Local hotshot Pedro Garra and his PANTERA crew (M Garcia, I Guichef, M Leite, A Carlucio) were first with just 4 pts, having posted a 2-1-1 on day one.  They were followed by Matias Pereira on CARRERA with 6 pts and Harry Giura on LUCA (with crew of D Guani, G Arocena, I Arocena, M Pineyro) with a 3-5-4 for 12 pts.  Fourth was the top Peruvian boat, Javier Arribas’ MONARCA (with crew of J Gavino, A Lafosse, M Markovinovic, D Mendoza) with 17 pts.

The second day of racing on Friday brought beautiful, electrifying racing.  The breeze subsided to 12-15 kts with much less swell, with all teams returning to using their 150% genoas.  After a one-hour postponement, the racing started in a southerly breeze that slowly shifted left to the southeast.  Three more races were run, with the course clearly favoring going to the coastline off to the left and catching the breeze lines filling in off the beach.  It was a great day of sailing for Sergio Pendola’s crew on CACIQUE (C Dagusti, J Lupo, M Santangelo, L Luzzi), posting a blistering pace of 2-4-1 to surge up into the top of the leaderboard and win “Boat of the Day”.   Overall, Garra’s PANTERA was still winning with Pereira’s CARRERA following closely behind.

On Saturday, the third day of racing dawned with a 16 kts wind out of the north that little by little started to weaken and get increasingly shift.  Fortunately, the YCPE PRO Bernie Knuppel managed to knock out another three races, much to the delight of the fleet.  With the ability to apply a discard after six races, the leadership board has changed significantly.  Now, CARRERA was leading followed by Garra’s PANTERA.

For the finale on Sunday, it was a nearly anti-climactic scenario.  By winning the final race, CARRERA walked off with the Championship.  Taking second was Garra’s PANTERA followed by Pendola’s CACIQUE in third.  Rounding out the top five, it was Rodrigo Benedetto’s HAIK- THOMPSON REUTERS team that took 4th place with Marcelo Alzola’s BLUECROSS & BLUESHIELD team placed 5th.

The 2016 South American Champion, Matias Pereira, adds to his laurels that of Pan American Champion and Argentinean Champion 2016!! This result gives Pereira an automatic place to participate in the 2017 J/24 World Championship in Canada.   For more J/24 South American Championship sailing information

J/121 Offshore Speedster Progress Report

(Newport, RI)-  The J/121 project is in hyper-drive mode with the hull and grid mold nearing completion at CCF Composites and the deck tooling in final fairing at Symmetrix in Bristol, Rhode Island.  In two weeks we’ll be laying out deck hardware on the deck plug, positioning cockpit footrests and simulating boathandling maneuvers for final tweaking of equipment location before starting the mold.

The J/Design team has been working with leading sailmakers to determine the optimum J/121 one-design class inventory.  We are targeting an inventory of five sails including:

• Mainsail with two reefs
• #1 AP Jib on furler
• #4 Jib on hoistable inner forestay with halyard lock and 2:1 downhaul.
• Code 0 75% Asymmetric on top-down furler
• A2 Asymmetric with zipper luff/tack and lightweight snuffer

In terms of simplified sail-handling for hull #1, we are working with Ubi Maior of Italy to test a very cool custom version of their innovative furling system called the “Jiber.” This is a furling system that allows soft-hank attachment of the jib to a rod headstay without the need for the heavy aluminum foil system.  Top offshore racers have adopted similar systems to save weight, reduce aerodynamic drag in the rigging and improve jib handling in extreme conditions at sea.  Alternative systems without foils require lashing the head of the jib to a top swivel on the mast, but this prevents the jib from being able to be lowered to the deck without someone going aloft.  Many Open 40 and 60 sailors use this method to save weight. The difference with the Jiber is that one can hoist and lower the jib at will (on hanks) with a conventional halyard and, of course, furl on demand.   Learn more about the J/121 offshore speedster here