Block Island Race Preview

(Stamford, CT)- Ushered in with snow and rain, a messy spring in the Northeast looks to be giving way to more acceptable conditions for Memorial Day Weekend and the Storm Trysail Club’s 68th Block Island Race that coincides with it. An end of spring classic, this 186nm race going sailing out of Long Island Sound to Block Island and return is an annual rite of passage for many racing yachts.

The course itself is both elegant in its simplicity, but maddeningly devilish in how to execute the right tactics and strategies based on the weather and currents.  Basically, you start in Stamford, go out of Long Island Sound, rounding Block Island clockwise (leaving it to starboard), then back through The Race to Stamford.  The BIG issue is where to go through the infamous "Race"- Plum Gut south of Plum Island, through the middle, or along the Connecticut shore and Fisher's Island to the north.

“The natural obstruction of Plum Island, which lies about 60 miles off the start, forces navigators to decide whether to take the passage of Plum Gut or The Race (or in some rare instances, Fishers Island Sound), and the decision often determines the outcome of the race,” said Event Chair Ray Redniss.  He added that Long Island Sound, an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, is situated between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south and that with eight million people living within its watershed, it’s no wonder that the Connecticut cities of Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Southport and Stamford as well as the New York cities of Bay Shore, Brooklyn, Larchmont and New York City are well represented by the 63 boats signed up, thus far, in six IRC and two PHRF classes as well as a one-design class for J/109s and en enormous contingent of J/sailors in the Double-handed Division."

Rambler’s Project Manager, Mick Harvey, also adds that the race is extremely challenging for a number of reasons. “Firstly it is very early in the season, late spring really, so the race is subject to cooler seawater temperature and relatively fast passage of weather systems across the course. The land mass in Connecticut is relatively cool this time of the year; however, in the right weather conditions, it can become quite warm during daylight hours. You can have situations where there are two sea breezes fighting each other, one on the Connecticut shore and one on the Long Island shore.”

Harvey also mentioned the “big tidal features” at Plum Gut and The Race as contributing to an “interesting, tricky race. Every time we do this race it's different, and no doubt you will learn something new, however, what you learn most likely will not be applicable to the next edition of the race,” said Harvey. “It’s like a long day race where you have a basic plan based on forecasting and tides, but then you have to be able to change your plan and adapt quickly to changing conditions during the course of the race.”

Over the course of time, various J/Teams have learned to master the course better than most-- one where keeping your "eyes wide open" and thinking "outside of the box" is an enormous help as the weather changes across the course.  Races have been won and lost everywhere on the course, including the first 10 miles and the last 10 miles!

The largest contingent of J's will be participating in the IRC Double-Handed class.  With eight of thirteen boats, it's likely that one or more J/Teams will be taking home some silverware.  The smallest J, Todd Aven's J/92 THIN MAN, is also one of the most experienced and can be dangerously quick if there's any prolonged reaching involved.  Multiple Block Island Race and Bermuda Race One-Two winner, Jason Richter, will certainly be a factor on his famous J/35 PALADIN.  One of the "sleepers" in the race that could lead the pack is Adrian Little's J/100 FLASHPOINT.  The class as well as the overall IRC teams will also have to contend with the J/105 JADED sailed by Peter Rugg-- both a class and overall winner in the Block Island Race in the past.  Two J/109s are sailing, Andrew Berdon's STRIDER and Adrian Begley's MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN, both well-sailed boats in the fully-crewed events, so time will tell if they can translate that experience offshore.  Two J/120s are participating including Gardner Grant's ALIBI and Hewitt Gaynor's MIRIELLE, as proven offshore winners, the 120s themselves could lead all the J's home.

The J/109s are sailing as a one-design class and the five boats sailing have all proven themselves around-the-cans.  It would be hard to handicap this gang which includes ARIEL (Jeff Warren), PAX 3 (Bob Siegel), LOKI (David Rosow), APSARA (Mike Sleightholme) and SKOOT (Jim Vos).

The J/44s are not sailing as a class, but some of their veteran offshore sailors are participating in IRC 2.  Len Sitar's VAMP is almost always amongst the leaders.  And, "offshore newbies" Joerg Esdorn and Duncan Hennes, are sailing their new and much more comfy KINCSEM (a J/44) against some of Long Island Sound's best offshore teams.  Nevertheless, no shrinking violets they are, Joerg and Duncan are veterans of hundreds of races winning on their J/105 KINCSEM and with a good crew (and navigator) may prove to be quick learners of the offshore trade!

Finally, in IRC 3, the custom J/120 AVRA will be sailed by its new owner, Leo Vasiliev from New York and they're hoping to duplicate some of the good performances offshore that she's had in her past.  For more Storm Trysail Block Island Race sailing information

J/70 @ Sanctuary Cove Show

(Sanctuary Cove, Australia)- This coming weekend, the J/70 will debut at the 25th Anniversary Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from May 23rd to 26th. Located on the gorgeous "Gold Coast" of Queensland in eastern Australia (just south of Brisbane), be sure to take a hike with your family and friends to enjoy the fabulous beaches, islands and learn more about how the J/70 can be your next trailer-sailer for your "mates, kids and the ladies".

In fact, speaking of the ladies, the show features "Women on Water- High Tea on the High Seas" on Saturday and Sunday!  Ladies, leave the men at the Boat Show and embark on one of two special cruises full of fun and frivolity! Hosted by Channel 7 personalities, Kimberley Busteed and Liz Cantor, enjoy two hours cruising, complimentary bubbles, a light lunch, pampering sessions, on-board entertainment, prizes and gifts! "WoW Seminars" for the women also include "How to Furnish you boat" hosted by BoatStyle, "Basics of Sailing" hosted by Sunshine Sailing Australia, and "Look Your Best on Your Boat" hosted by Hypoxi Body Botique.  Sorry guys, none of this is for you.

In fact, the perfect W.O.W. sailboat is the J/70 trailerable speedster!  Easy-to-sail even in 20+ kts breeze racing, a frolic for the ladies for a bubbly champagne evening sunset sail.  Like this gorgeous, fashionable woman seen here winning silverware sailing her J/70!

Please be sure to contact J/Dealer Yachtspot at "info@yachtspot.com.au" or telephone- +61-2-9449-4976 for a demo sail or appointment at the show!   For more J/70 and Sanctuary Cove Boat Show information

Epic Race to the Straits Regatta

J/36 MONKEY BONES & J/35 GREAT WHITE Dominant
(Seattle, WA)- The Pacific Northwest is full of fun-loving sailors always looking for a reason to get out on the water, seeking out yet another challenge and enjoy the shared experience afterwards over some great food, BBQ, fresh salmon and the occasional beer.  With over 200 days of "moisture" on average, the Seattle sailing crowd are a hardy bunch and, all things considered, are some of the nicest group of sailors you'll ever encounter around the world.

Recently, one of the more notoriously fun group of sailors hosted their annual "Race to the Straits" Regatta.  Imagine this, 100+ short-handed boats duking it out from Seattle to Port Townsend Saturday, then sailing back on Sunday. The first weekend in May and entries are capped at 100 boats!?! The Party is back at the American Legion Hall Saturday night.  There's a keg at the skippers meeting, kegs at the party in Port Townsend, kegs at the awards.  What more could you want?  More to the point, who are these people?  Well, the host is "Sloop Tavern YC" in Seattle, not exactly your classic "yacht club", in fact far from it! They're the equivalent of the East Coast's "Mystic River Mudheads", the spirit that drives them is being the ultimate underdogs in their local sailing circles-- pomp and circumstance be damned (unless, of course, it includes a kegger).

Repeat winner of the small Single Handed Flying Sails class was Dan Wierman aboard his J/35 GREAT WHITE, taking his class by a wide margin.  As for the balance of other J's participating in the race, many had good performances despite the stunningly challenging tactics & strategies employed to even finish!  In Class 3 Doublehanded Non-Flying Sails Division, the J/35c ASTRAEA sailed by Lee Harris pulled off a 4th.  In Class 4 Doublehanded Flying Sails Division, the J/36 MONKEY BONES sailed by Jason Andrews won by over five minutes.

Class 7 Doublehanded Flying Sails Division was somewhat insane in terms of the enormous cross-section of boats sailing in that fleet-- somewhat laughable, really.  M24's, J/105's, J/35c, C&C 43's, Olson 30's.  Nevertheless, Tom Mitchell's J/35c WILDFLOWER placed 3rd, James Geros's J/105 LAST TANGO was 4th and Matthew Gardner-Brown's J/105 DULCINEA was sixth!

Class 9 Doublehanded Sails Division saw the J/70 DA SPENCER sailed by Mike Pitt take 4th followed by Dave Schutte's J/80 TAJ MAHAL in sixth.  Class 10 Doublehanded Flying Sails Division and the J/30 IMPULSIVE sailed by Ulf Gwildis take 5th!  Awesome job, dude!

Finally, in Class 14 Doublehanded Flying Sails Division the J/22s and classic wooden Thunderbirds were dueling for ABSOLUTE WORLD DOMINATION- fiberglass versus wood!!  Getting the short end of that stick were the J/22 mafia, having to settle for 5th, 6th, 7th in their division.  Top J/22 was Tom Brandt in 22 CALIBRE, next was Molly Jackson & Mike Karas on HOT LIPS HOULIHAN (love it!) and third was Nick Farley's DON'T TELL MOM! Really, you probably wouldn't' want to tell Mom you finished behind "hot lips"! :0     For more Sloop Tavern YC Race to the Straits sailing information

J/Cup Celtic Regatta Announcement

(Pwllheli, Wales, United Kingdom)-  For those of you who can appreciate, and are familiar with, the enormously engaging and passionate hospitality offered by Celtic sailors in Wales and the western parts of the United Kingdom, be sure to book on your calendar the J/Cup Celtic Regatta!  It's a great way to enjoy the beautiful, spectacular coastline of western Wales, sailing in the Irish Sea.

From the 14th to 16th June 2013, the Pwllheli Sailing Club will be hosting the J/Cup Celtic Regatta for the fast growing fleet of J/109s and J/80s, including the recent additions of a J/111, J/97 and J/92s.

There's free marina berthing for all participants, all are welcome!  Plus, as is the tradition of all J/Cup events, there will be fun evening entertainment with live bands and more!  For more J/Cup Celtic Regatta sailing information.

LAUGH A MINUTE Wins J/22 Mpumalanga Provincials

(Mpumalanga, South Africa)-  The Amtec J22 Mpumalanga Provincials has become a regatta enjoyed by all the top sailors in the J/22 class in South Africa. Fourteen J/22’s entered with many happy to travel to the event, six entries from TYC, four from the Vaal clubs, three local entries and the J chairman from VLC.

Weather conditions were critical as sailing instructions required a minimum of 4 races to constitute a series and this was needed in two days. Friday’s weather looked bleak for sailing but Saturday proved far better for the 11.00 start. With a nip in the air and a breeze of 3-8 Knots coming from the NNW the shore was a buzz of activity as fourteen yachts prepared for racing.  Five slick races were sailed Saturday with the last race finishing by 1730 hrs.

From the first race the competitive nature of the fleet combined with the skills on each yacht gave an indication of what was to come. In the first race 42 seconds separated the local entry LAUGH A MINUTE and TYC entry of US'N’J for a 1st with SHAMBLES 55 seconds later in 3rd. The young newcomer to the fleet Marcello Marica, skipper on JUICE with Amtec’s Mike Hayton showed his potential with a 5th 38 seconds between 1st and 2nd.

In Race 2 saw MAJIC- Jessica Lenz and crew move from 6th (subsequently her discard) to 2nd and then she repeated this result in Race 3. JUICE had their best result, a 4th in the series.

JAYWALKER on the other hand did not have a good 3rd race. On the 1st leg they wandered off into the dam onto the way to Steve’s place! They appeared totally lost and confused but claims he saw some wind shift from there!  HAKAHANA also lost valuable places going off to the "game reserve" side of the course on the last leg of the race (must have thought this was the “Kruger” park) only to realise they were way off course as the Blue flag on bridge was flying and the finish line was open. A valuable lesson to all crew don’t forget to count laps and watch the flags.

Race 4 saw a turnaround for CELL-C who had had a few challenges in the previous races. Let’s say CELL-C, including others, had perfected the 360/720 penalty. A 1st in the next 2 races improved their overall position and they certainly went home hoping for wind on Sunday.

Great to see Donovan Kruger on HAKAHANA showing his potential with a 6th in this race but never far off the pace. Surprisingly the Race Officer, Mario Scalco, never needed to bring out a black flag.  But, his team had to be organized and quick-witted to deal with the close finishes in each race.

A beautiful clear blue sky as well as two perfectly rigged brand new Optimists greeted sailors on Sunday at breakfast. That is another story to be told at future regattas. At the first sign of possible wind boats were rigged but despite two valiant attempts at starting races it was not to be. At 1400 hrs the final signal was sounded.

The winner, LAUGH A MINUTE- John Brookman/ Dave Martinson and Ayshia Genloud had a convincing win with a net 8 points. CELL-C, disappointed with the lack of wind, finished 2nd overall with US'N'J finishing 3rd.

The hospitality, fantastic improvements and renovations to the Witbank Yacht and Aquatic Club, great racing organisation and ideal sailing waters all contributed to a memorable regatta that I am sure will see many J boats returning in 2014.   For more J/22 South Africa sailing information

SAIL FIRST Sponsors ISAF Youth Worlds!

(Limassol, Cyprus)- Recently, Giannos Photiou, President of the Cyprus Sailing Federation, announced that SAIL FIRST has come on board as the title sponsor of the 2013 ISAF Youth Worlds and, in a difficult financial climate in the country, extended his special thanks to the company for their financial support.

With 358 sailors from 55 countries set to compete in Limassol Photiou said, "The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship is one of the greatest sports events ever to be held in Cyprus and it is characterized as a small sailing Olympiad for ISAF Youth Sailors."

SAIL FIRST, based in the harbor of Paphos on the western end of Cyprus (the island itself is in the far eastern Mediterranean), have a fleet of 10 fully-equipped J/80s to make on-water activities available to those who want to get out sailing.  They organize and manage events at any level, including fleet, match and team racing events for both yacht clubs and corporate events.

With a full-time staff based in Paphos Harbour, Cyprus including two RIBs, racing buoys, and judging and technical support, it's simply a phone call/ email to SAIL FIRST to enjoy a weekend/ week-long event of sailing on the gorgeous eastern Mediterranean-- all year long with great winds, too!  Plus, you can be one-design racing with less than four hour flights from London, Frankfurt, Paris, Moscow and other EU cities and stay in 3-5 star hotels on the island! No need to live in cramped charter-boat cabins! Plus, it's a very convenient "two in one" holiday-- one with the family and the other-- your participation in the regatta!  For more SAIL FIRST J/80 one-design fleet sailing information

French J/109 BLUE JAWS Not Ready for Vendee Globe!

(La Trinite sur mer, France)- Jean Noel Tourin, proud owner of the French J/109 BLUEJAWS, happened to be sailing in the massive sailing regatta known as the Tour de Belle Ile 2013.  As Jean Noel explains, "I'm pleased to inform you, that I raced Tour de Belle Ile and finished 4th of 150 boats in the "Monohull Free Class" (the "anything goes" in IRC class).  We were 2nd in cruiser-racers behind an X-43-- first was a TP52 and 2nd was a JP54 (Jean-Pierre Dick), a famous Vendee Globe sailor sailing his personal custom offshore boat!!  Editor's note- Jean-Pierre himself was another notable J/Alumni having sailed J/24s quite competitively in France and the UK!

Women's J/97 NO LIMIT Tops Semaine de Porquerolles

(Hyeres, France)- It was a beautiful finale for the 15th edition of Porquerolles Race Week in France.  The last day saw good sailing conditions, a single windward-leeward race (a.k.a.- a "sausage" or "banana" or "hot dog"- depending on your frame of mind)! It was all beautiful and rich in emotions with podium contenders often being  upset with the ultimate winners who scrap hard to get silverware, sometime in-extremis! All "in a perfect state of mind" for some, perhaps for others just "another day's work".

"A big THANK YOU to the Committee and the entire organizing team for this week," was the phrase heard most on Sunday at noon via VHF as the fleets were returning to the harbor. Congratulations were well deserved. Especially, for the first time in four years that racing has been run on Sunday in ideal conditions-- six races sailed in total (5 windward-leewards and 1 coastal race).

The ultimate W/L of about 5nm on Sunday was accompanied by a staggered arrival at the port of Porquerolles, so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful show of sailboats as they parade by the piers into the harbor.

In IRC2, the competition was tough and the J/111 ESPRIT SUD.NET led by Oliver Krauss sailed incredibly well to finish 3rd class and 3rd Overall.

In IRC3, it was "spectacular coup'de'theater: where the final victory eludes prime time television!"  In the end, the J/109 GALANGAL sailed by Philippe de Saignes ends with equal points for third overall in a race that could have gone either way!

In IRC4, the women of St Tropez crew on the J/97 NO LIMITS skippered by Agnes Di Russo enjoyed on-going celebrations at this sailing festival!  Feeling at home in comfortable surroundings, the dynamic heroines were imperial in their class!  Congratulations girls for their fantastic sportsmanship at sea-- and their entertainment in the evenings were simply superb!  With Di Russo as their lead, the rest of the team should be recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments- Josiane Rizzo, Brigit Carstens, Elodie Briand, Sabine Cousin, Fabienee Moyersoen, Magali Richard and Francoise Jean-Jean!

Di Russo, skipper of NO LIMIT, said "Thanks to the first owner of our J/97, Pascale Barbier. The week was excellent in all respects: windy on the water and challenging downwind sailing! For us, it was almost as difficult sailing on the water as well as navigating the evenings!  We knew how to be steady in our performance in our class, but it was very tight. After the final round of races, we are thrilled!"

For the overall Challenge J/Boats Trophy, it was led by the J/111 ESPRITSUD.NET (Oliver Krauss); followed by the J/109 GALANGAL (Philippe Saignes) in 2nd; the J/109 MISS JUJU (Jean-Marc Picon) in 3rd; the J/122 NOISY OYSTER (Olivier Parchet) in 4th; and the J/109 JET LAG (Richard Burton) in 5th.

Oliver Krauss, third in IRC2 and site manager of ESPRIT SUD J/Challenge, organizer and partner of Porquerolles Week: "We're the new J participating in this week's Porquerolles as the J/111 ESPRIT SUD. As a partner in the event, it was a great opportunity to interact  with owners of J/Boats and motivate their network of J sailors across France. We set up a symbolic challenge between us and the girls who won with their J/97 in IRC4-- we finish third in IRC 2 losing this place today ... that's great! It was really nice to sail like that in these windy conditions.  A very good first experience this week Porquerolles!"  For more Semaine de Porquerolles sailing information

COURRIER DUNKERQUE J/80 Grand Prix Ecole Navale Champion!

(Brest, France)- The 12th edition of the Grand Prix Ecole Navale produced an "upset" of sorts in the French hierarchy of J/80 sailing, one of the largest regional one-design keelboat classes in all of France.  With hundreds of J/80s sailing in France over the past decade, it takes top teams years to migrate to the top of the class and maintain a continuum of success that is not easily achieved.  Last weekend, that status quo was upset by a relative newcomer to the J/80 class in France.

As if destined to win from the very beginning of the vent, COURRIER DUNKERQUE, skippered by Vincent Vandekerkhove managed a great performance to finish first and second in the last two races of the final day of racing, reserving their place atop the J/80 podium as Champions of the GPEN event!  In fact, they never looked back after the first two races, taking their place in the lead spot and never finishing out of the top ten in eight races!  Vandekerkhove dethrones Eric Brézellec and crew on INTERFACE CONCEPT who won the last three editions of the event.

The balance of the podium was comprised of Brezellec's INTERFACE CONCEPT in second place, winning a tie-breaker at 35 pts over fellow team-mate Simon Moriceau's INTERFACE CONCEPT 2, who had to settle for third place. The rest of the top five saw a brilliant performance by Bernard Hughes on ESPOIR PAYS DE LA LOIRE, sailing to a 3-3-1-3 in the first four races, only to "fall from grace with the sea"!  Their next four races were anything but brilliant, having to tack on a BFD-8-13-8 to drop them to 39 pts net, good enough for fourth overall.  Fifth is past J/80 champion Luc Nadal on GAN'JA with 44 net pts.

After four days of intense racing in the harbor of Brest-Morgat Crozon and Camaret, the 177 boats of the Grand Prix Ecole Navale and their 711 crew members completed their competitions on the last day in a moderate westerly flow of 10-15 knots.  Conditions were warmer than the day before and greatly appreciated by competitors after some cool days beforehand

The Grand Prix Ecole Navale event once again confirms the dynamic combination of expertise of the Naval Academy, the Navy and the French Sailing Federation, together with the participation of many volunteers Nautical center of Crozon-Morgat and Club Léo Lagrange de Camaret, led to fantastic regatta organization and on-the-water race management for one of the most famous in European yachting events.
Sailing photo credits:  Pierrick Contin- pierrick.contin@wanadoo.fr/ Jacques Vapillon- photo@vapillon.com    For more J/80 Grand Prix Ecole Navale sailing information

J/97 Rescues Sailor- Royal Southern Regatta

(Hamble, Hampshire, UK)- Capping a class-winning racing performance with a piece of impressive, no-nonsense seamanship in rescuing an MOB from another boat counts as a pretty good day on the water.  Adam Munday is in the process of applying for Academy membership at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. On the basis of his performance in the Club's May Regatta, the first in their annual Summer Series, it's not unreasonable to think he may be a shoo-in!

In Saturday's racing, run by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and incorporating its prestigious Clarkson Cup Regatta, Adam posted three bullets in IRC3 as skipper of the J/97 INDULJENCE. Then in Sunday's first race, the 20 year-old and his crew were, thankfully, in the right place at the right time.

"We were slightly behind Jeopardy 2 and they Chinese-gybed," said Adam. "We spotted someone in the water- we thought it was a girl. We were in the right place and we could see Jeopardy was in a bit of trouble trying to retrieve their kite so we dropped ours and went back upwind to her. I think she was in the water for about five minutes. The crew behaved really well and it all went quite smoothly," he added.

Conditions at the time of the incident were typical of the regatta on each day, a building breeze and an increasingly lumpy sea, particularly when tide turned against westerly wind in the course of racing.

Jeopardy 2's female crew was transferred back to her yacht by the Southern's mark-laying RIB Sir Michael, seemingly none the worse for her experience in water as apparently it was "not as cold as she'd expected".

INDULJENCE received redress for her rescue and, with a further win in the last race, took IRC3 ahead of David Greenhalgh's J/92 J'RONIMO and Andy Howe's J/92S BLACKJACK.  Sailing Photo & story credit to- Phil Riley.   For more Royal Southern YC Series sailing information