J Sailors Enjoy Last Hot Rum Race III

(San Diego, CA)- This year's San Diego YC's Hot Rum Series could be deemed a "classic" Hot Rum Series, sun, fun, gentle sea-breezes and laid-back sailing.  Basically, you just start off the Piers near SDYC, beat out in a lightish Southwest 5-8 knot breeze, tacking up under the Point Loma shoreline, making sure to not run over any incredibly curious sea-lions, avoiding the US Navy submarine pen tucked under the Loma cliffs (currently nurturing an old "boomer"--one of those monsters of the deep that lurk beneath the surface of the world's oceans for a century armed to the teeth with a gazillion MIRV'd nuclear warheads), turning left to go offshore to a marker way south of Coronado Island, then reach/fetch back to the finish and head home.  Easy.  Simple to follow the directions.  And, hundreds of sailors love to do it as their fall (or early winter) right of passage just before the Christmas holiday shopping spree often lubricated with a bit of "cinnamon-spiced hot rum cider"!

This year's event seemed to be skewed to the much larger boats- the 50 to 70-plus footers that were roaring around the course with their towering rigs.  Nevertheless, amongst the J/125s in PHRF 1, Jim Madden's crew on STARK RAVING MAD led the pack of J/125s and ended up 9th in class.  From there, the standings flip-flopped for the other three 125s. Second J/125 in the class was Viggo Torbenson's TIMESHAVER with the unusual paint job (white topsides with a PINK bottom paint!).  Third was Tim Fuller's RESOLUTE and fourth in the 125s was Mark Surber's DERIVATIVE.

Because of throw-outs, the PHRF 2 Class also saw a complete jumbling of their standings.  Local ring-leader Chuck Nicholl sailing his famous J/120 CC RIDER dropped to 4th in class and first in the J/120s.  John Laun's J/120 CAPER was next, finishing 5th in class and 2nd J/120.  Third J/120 was Mike Hatch's J-ALMIGHTY sitting 9th in class.   Top J/109 was Daylen Teren's GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, lying 12th in class.  And, top J/124 was Seth Hall's MARISOL in 18th class, just ahead of Tom Barker's  J/124 GOOD CALL finishing 19th in class.  This was a huge class, with 38 boats sailing on ONE starting line!

The J/105s sailed very well in PHRF Class 3, with Dennis and Sharon Case's WINGS leading the pack, finishing 2nd in class and top J/105.  Jumping up into 3rd in class, 2nd J/105 was Dave Vieregg's TRIPLE PLAY with a second on the last race.  Third J/105 was Team Fisher/ Dagostino on VIGGEN, also sailing well on the last day grabbing a third, but not enough to win the tie-breaker over their classmate TRIPLE PLAY.  A good performance was turned in by Herb Zoehrer's J/35 Z-FORCE, finishing 9th in class.

PHRF 4 Class had David Cattle's J/27 BLACKADDER hanging tough to finish 9th in class ahead of J/classmate Steve Worcester's J/32 RHAPSODY at 14th class.

The epic battle for Hot Rum braggin rights in PHRF 5 resulted in a few of the J "classics" melting down while others soared like Phoenix's rising from the ashes.  Mary Snow's J/24 BOGUS secured third overall by virtue of their 1-3 in the first two races, not even sailing the last race and tossing her DNC!  Amazingly, by doing so she lost a three-wayY tie for second-- huge bummer.  Bob Noe's J/30 MAD HATTER was the third leg of that stool, losing the three-way tie and ending up fourth despite having the overall best record of the three boats-- sailing a solid 2-2-4 for the series!  Next time, Bob, next time you'll get that keg of hot rum! Shala Lawrence's cute J/22 NOTHING DRIVES LIKE A RENTAL sadly didn't sail the last race, so had to score a 5-DNF to slide into 7th.   Sailing photo credits- the infamous Sir DA-Woody (a.k.a. Dennis St Onge).  For more San Diego YC Hot Rum Series sailing information

Twilight J/24 Series Raging Success

(Sydney, Australia)- Whilst the Saturday keel boat fraternity wandered back to their pens and the bar after a long day around the sticks the entertainment out front of the club was just beginning.  The critics in the bar were "oooing and awing" as the fleet of eight J/24s performed perfectly choreographed starts and mark roundings for them.  Some with binos and most pausing their drinks as the J/24s sailed a four race set right in front of their eyes. With the start line not much more than 100m off the edge of the bar and a brisk southerly blowing in, the crowd sat on the edge of their chairs as the gladiators performed.

Saturday afternoon turned on some of the best weather we’ve seen this summer and the J’s turned on the action for the first ever J/24 Saturday twilight racing series.  Racing was delayed slightly while we waited for the boats racing in the Club Marine series to get back to the club, but once they were all up in the bar they were treated to some seriously close racing in top end genoa and jib conditions.

Race Officer Glenn Taylor set a short course of windward leeward races inside number 4 mark only metres from the shore!!  The brisk southerly ensured plenty of action with commentary from Luke Matthews giving a blow by blow description keeping all in the bar and deck area patrons enthralled.  The rolling four race format was fast and furious with any mistakes made costing race places in a blink.

With a fleet of eight boats, racing was always going to be tight and after the first two races, the lead was tied with Hugo Ottaway on BRUSCHETTA VI and Kirsty Harris on HYPERACTIVE both scoring a first and a second in both races. Hugo, finding his groove stepped clear in the third race, going a point clear of the girls on HYPERACTIVE. For the last race HYPERACTIVE needed to not only beat Hugo, but put a boat between them, so it was always going to be tough. Cat and mouse in the last start saw both boats start at the back of the pack after an OCS call. However, Hugo ended up getting the upper hand, leaving Kirsty in his wake.

Third in the first two races was the ever present Brendan Lee sailing BY THE LEE, who was always nipping on the leaders heels. This all being said, one of the most exciting moments went to the thrilling victory in the last race by Steve Aulich holding out a fast finishing Hugo to snatch his first race win in J’s.

The competitors loved it, needless to say the spectators LOVED it, too! The first of hopefully many such events highlighting the fun a “J” has to offer.

The fleet is now looking forward to the next installment on 4th February, so make sure you are there with your big eyes and a calming drink!  Thanks for the contribution from Simon Grain.  For more Australian J/24 Twilight Series sailing information

J/24 Italy Winter Championships Report

(Anzio & Nettuna/ Cagliari/ Taranto/ Cervia, Italy)- The J/24s continue to see a strong, and growing, resurgence of sailing across Italy.  Perhaps a throwback to fun times in the past, or a recognition of the ease and fun of finding one cheaply and sailing it with family and friends, focusing on good times, not simply winning at all costs.  Whatever the secret ingredient, it's increasingly apparent the Italian J/24 contingent, much like their Australian friends and Argentinean friends (now World Champions), that simply going out, having fun and messing around in boats is a great thing.  With a few thousand J/24s to tap into, it's pretty easy to get fleets rolling for next to nothing in terms of cost and effort.

At this stage, there are four "winter championships" taking place in Italy in various parts of the country.  In Anzio & Nettuna, just south of Rome along the western coastline of Italy, they've had their third weekend of sailing with TWENTY NINE boats, including several from Hungary and Chekovia!  Luke is winning the series so far, followed by Marco Vincenti in second and Paulo Perinelli in this, Massimo Mariotti in fourth and a women's team led by Manuela Santarcangelo in fifth!

In the Puglian J/24 fleet, they enjoyed a gorgeous SSW 13 kt breeze this past weekend, allowing the SEVENTEEN teams to have three excellent races on the port of Taranto, hosted by the Sailing Club Ondabuena.  Currently, JEBEDEE sailed by Antonio Macina leads the fleet after five races.  In second is DOCTOR J sailed by Team Sandro Negro, third is MATI LTD sailed by Angelo Lombardo, fourth is LUMACHI sailed by Carlo D'Errico and fifth is MARBEA skippered by Marcello Bellacicco.

"The J24 fleet in Puglia was born in the 90's when our monotype experienced the greatest spread in Italy and worldwide, with about 5,400 boats produced at the turn of the twenty-first century, while nationwide it sold 450 boats in Italy! The races were frequent and professional sailors took turns in the leadership role to drive about seventy boats that once trod the fields of every race. Then the birth of more and more new monotypes led to a decrease in the number of boats.  But, the timeless J/24, a solid boat with good performance in all conditions, was slowly brought back to new owners and crews, so that now you go back to J/24 regattas with over fifty boats!  The Pugliese J/24 fleet follows the trend with a crescendo of followers from 2008 to present-- today, many events are concentrated in some areas, but it's expanding again!", says the Chief of the J/24 Fleet in Puglia, Nino Soriano.  Nino also mentioned the creation of a new website for the fleet- please visit http://flottadipuglia.altervista.org

In addition to the growth and developments of the J/24 fleet in Puglia, over in Cervia they were recently hosting the Pirini Stefano Memorial Winter Championship with SEVENTEEN boats!  This past weekend they saw everything- too much wind, fog, no wind, rain on the first day. But, the second day was glorious- sun, fresh mistral of 12-14 kts and calms seas, good enough for three races.  At the moment, CAPTAIN NEMO is winning sailed by Dominic Bright.  Second is KISMET sailed by Antonio Antonelli and third is Joc Fabio sailing APOLLONIUS SOCIETY TRIESTINA.

"A special 'Thanks' to the Friends of the Nautical Club de Cervia, they know how to organize and run a great event and 'Thanks' the sponsors Slam and North Sails who provided gadgets and discount coupons," commented Guido Earnings.

Finally, on that island nation many call Sardinia, the Winter Championships Cagliari were taking place for the Trofeo Ciabattai, hosted by the YC Cagliari.  An excellent FIFTEEN boat turnout for the Sardinian J/24 fleet saw an unusual, but fun, sailing conditions on the island- strong westerlies from 265 degrees blowing 15-20 kts in flat seas off Marina Piccola.  Amongst the leaders of this event are VINEYARDS SURRAU, BOTTA STRAIGHT, LIBARIUM, LYBISSONIS and "Armadillo Racing".   There are great expectations for the last weekend of J/24 in Cagliari, December 17 to 18 when six races are planned and, hopefully, the champion will be determined!   For more Sardinia Island, Italy J/24 sailing information   For more Italian J/24 sailing information

Lucky It Was a J/24 Sailboat!

* How A J/24 Rescued A Boat and Saved Lives At the Lipton Cup
(Port Philip, Australia)- The 2011 Lipton Cup was sailed in true Port Philip conditions, from a 10 knot North Easterly through to 30 knot South Westerly on Saturday. Mix this with blinding rain that persisted all day and you have conditions that test the best of us. Fortunately the weather improved on the Sunday, however, most of the fleet stayed on shore, as the previous day was enough.

Simon Grain and Lisa Simonov won the regatta with 4 straight wins, their J/24 MAKE MY J was quick, well sailed and when required picked shifts that pulled them up through the fleet to win yet another race.

However, something else took place that day that saved a sailor's life.  Here's Hugo Ottoway's account from aboard his J/24 BRUSCHETTA VI- "There was another event that took place that day that made me feel glad that (1) our crew competed (as we only decided to sail the previous day) and (2)  that I sailed such a great boat as a J/24!

In the third race the wind had turned to the South west and kicked in at recorded 30 knots. After a screaming downwind run with the spinnakers Simon and I rounded the bottom mark together, back on the wind, we sailed lower and both boats were about ten boat lengths apart on port tack with Simon slightly astern and to windward.

My crew alerted me that there was a boat from another division that was on starboard and hardly moving, we bore away and as we passed astern we could see that the boat was a mess with her headsail half-furled and two crew occupied with something going on in the open cockpit. The boat’s crew shouted “we have a man overboard”, which sent a shock right through the whole of our crew, we replied “where”, one pointed directly downwind. Through the blinding rain we could just see a tiny black shape about 200 meters away.

Jack on the bow tripped the jib, and kept his eyes firmly on the MOB, whilst Matt eased the vang and Michael readied the life ring, the MOB was waving his arm and as we approached we assured him and asked him to keep calm.

Our first pass was too quick and we felt that the wind was too strong to throw the life ring as it would never have made it. Our second pass, much slower allowed the MOB to swim to the windward side of the J where it took all three of my crew to get him on board.

The rescued person, Dominic, was ash white, shaking and exhausted, we put him down in the cabin where Jack kept a eye on him. It was only then that I looked around to see that through the rain the only other boat I could see was the stricken yacht, no one else was in sight.  The stricken yacht had managed to bare away and was able to run downwind some distance away, we both headed to the nearest harbour at RYCV.

Dominic advised us that there was a injured crew on the other yacht and that the events that caused his injury had caused his fall from the boat.  I estimate that Dominic would have been in the water for a minimum of ten to fifteen minutes, we were concerned that he might be effected by shock so I got Jack to keep eye on his condition all the whole way home.

J/24′s are great to sail in heavy windy conditions, their low free board made getting Dominic on board much easier, and the speed in which we could do a second pass, took some of the panic out of the situation. Had we been in a much bigger boat, this MOB rescue would have been much harder and taken a lot longer, of that I am sure.

When we entered to harbour, the stricken yacht managed to get assistance from a rescue boat who rushed the injured crew to a waiting ambulance.  After we had docked we were met by the crew of the other yacht who thanked us and advised us that they could never have been able to pick up Dominic.

On reflection, my crew and I agreed that we had all had a rewarding and special day, as no one else knew Dominic was out there until we reported what had happened when we came ashore. We later learnt that the race was shortened due to the wind strength and reduced vision of 100 meters.

A very, very special "Thanks" to Jack Crawford, Matt Weston and Michael Lewenhagen, my crew on BRUSCHETTA VI."

Note from Simon Grain- "Hugo’s actions quite probably saved Dominic’s life on Saturday. The visibility was terrible with heavy driving rain, rising seas and lots of spray making looking to windward almost impossible and painful. This might have meant that no other boat would have seen him in the water. This is a very sobering thought, as losing a crew member overboard can happen in the blink of an eye to any of us on the water in these conditions. Make sure you practice your man overboard retrieval in all kinds of weather. Hugo was awarded redress and scored an equal first place in this race and came second overall in the Lipton Cup."  For more J/24 Australian fleet sailing news.

J/24s Sailing Sydney Short Ocean Series

(Sydney, Australia)- Starting in late spring Down Under, the Sydney Short Ocean Series gets rolling, a popular series of weekend races that takes place both inside Sydney Harbour as well as rounding marks offshore past the infamous Sydney Heads.

The event incorporates an Ocean Passage Race on Saturday with a common Start/Finish in Sydney Harbour.  And, then on Sunday, there's a combination of Windward/Leeward Courses and Triangle courses in the harbour.  A number of J/24s have been participating in the lead-up to the series, with three of them taking top five positions in what was known as the Seven Islands Race- Division 2.

It was clear the racing was close for the J/24s.  Leading the J/24 fleet home was Marc Tromp's WATERBORNE AGAIN, beating the next J/24 home by 12 seconds, a very tight finish for the top two.  INNAMINKA sailed by John Crawford was second and managed to stave off the charge by Brett Hudson's WILD FIRE, beating them by 30 seconds.  A bit off the pace about four minutes back was John Terry's PINOT.    For more Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship sailing information

Volvo Ocean Race Friends. More Win Some, Lose Some Stories.

  Spanish team TELEFONICA skipper by Iker Martinez wins the first leg and is loaded with Spanish J/80 sailing friends (including English/Aussie friend Andrew Cape).  Meanwhile, friend Ken Read is temporarily marooned on Tristan da Cunha for four days of "cow pie" golf, baby-sitting their mast-less 70 foot carbon coffin offshore each night and praying their delivery ship arrives soon!  Time is ticking and a-wasting away.  December 10th is the next start and the ship takes 5 days in transit from Tristan to Capetown, South Africa.  Ken's take on his arrival on Tristan is upbeat and amusing, a sure sign these guys are determined to keep up the spirits.  As Ken describes, "We have now been on Tristan da Cunha for 24 hours. And, it is exactly what we thought it would be.  A cloud seems to surround the island always. We still haven't seen the peak of the mountain, but the cliffs that make up the borders of the rock are breathtaking.

Yesterday at daybreak we arrived to a police escort (one large inflatable boat) to the anchorage area that they suggested we use. Of course, we are the only anchored boat in about a 1,500 mile radius.  After anchoring Puma’s Mar Mostro in about 20 meters of water, we all went in on the RIB to meet several of the town administrators eager to help.

Housing, food, coffee, showers – all the necessities that we were craving were provided. And, of course, that 9 am cold beer!  Police Inspector Conrad Glass explained the rules. We met the harbormaster – Jonathan Swain’s long-lost relative; Iris, the Minister of Tourism; Lorraine, the Treasurer and hairdresser; Sean Burns, the British government administrator, and of course Andy, the radio and communications director. And, so on and so on. I am leaving a lot of important people out for sure, but the fact is they are all fantastic.

The rest of the day was all about getting organized and relaxing.  Figuring out how we are going to deal with our yacht on anchor.  A night in the pub for the boys, and Jono and I took the first night shift on the boat. Pretty much setting up a routine that we will likely follow until the ship gets here to bring us back to the mainland.

Today will be golf day. Played in a cow pasture with flags but no greens. For sure the cow patties will bring a new meaning to 'lift, clean and place.' Ought to be interesting. We have trips planned to nearby Nightingale Island, a hike up the mountain, and of course more boat chores than we know what to do with. For sure we will keep busy.

In the meantime, we use the internet cafe to constantly check on communication from our families and look up the progress of the ship heading this way. The clock is ticking louder ever minute.  PUMA hopes to be back by December 6th in Cape Town and ready to go by Dec 10th for first inshore race!  Ouch!

Team LUCA Wins J/24 Worlds

South American Teams 8 of Top 10!
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)- The 2011 J/24 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina sailed this past week had 58 crews from 9 countries.  It marked the first time in decades that Americans did not factor as the principal leading boats in the top five.  Instead, the South American teams continue to chip away at the J/24 world order once led by mostly Europeans, Australians and Americans.  This year's regatta may be seen as a watershed event as it was clear the South American teams continue to ascend into the top ranks of the J/24 class worldwide and are raising the level of their game quite significantly.  This year, Argentina’s Alejo Rigoni sailing LUCA with crew Gustavo Gonzalez, Joaquín Duarte Argerich, Fernando Gwozdz and Sergio Armesto are crowned the 2011 J/24 World Champion after securing the victory on the final day of racing. Rigoni's LUCA is the first Argentine team to have won the J/24 Worlds in the three decades the J/24s have been racing worldwide as the world's largest international one-design keelboat class.

After the first three days of racing, the American Tim Healy of Newport, Rhode Island was at the top of the leader board leading by nearly 20 points, a seemingly unassailable lead at a World's event.  However, as they say in "da'islands", it was "movin day, mon."  Just over the hump of the middle stages in the regatta, either you show that consistency or you crack.  And when the cracks form in the veneer of impenetrability, sometimes things don't turn out so well or as one would want it to be.  In this case, 11TH HOUR RACING sailed by Healy's team saw some of the "wheels fall of their shopping trolley".  Two races were completed on the third day under sunny skies with winds ranging from 10 to 18 knots. After a general recall in each race, Principal Race Officer Teodoro Kundig was again quick to hoist the black flag to keep the aggressive fleet under control.  And this little black flag would prove the undoing of many teams.  In the day’s first race 18 of the 58 boats (including Healy) were scored BFD after two general recalls under the black flag. On the next attempt the fleet finally got away and Peru’s Luis Olcese hit the pin end start perfectly. Olcese led the fleet until the final few meters when he was run down by Alejo Rigoni who took the win. Conditions were more challenging for the second race as the wind had again built to around 18 knots, kicking up a very confused sea. Healy rebounded from his black flag disqualification to win the race going away followed by local favorite Matias Pereira in second.

The morning of the last day dawned with a weather forecast sure to strike fear in the hearts of the top contenders.  It was certainly going to be a challenge to get a race going before noon.  The RC tried to get something started in the morning and actually did start a race on the first try under black flag with the current running away from the line. The wind quickly died, as everyone expected, forcing the race to be abandoned. At 1430 the wind had finally filled enough to race and the event’s riveting, drama-laden final ninth race, also started on the first try under the black flag!  American Mike Ingham on RELOADED led at the first mark, and wound up third at the end to move up to third overall in the standings.  Francisco van Avermaete of Argentina on MENDIETTA won the last race to secure the 4th place overall.  Luis Olcese on GUERRERO from Peru finished second overall, a remarkably strong performance and the best ever by a Peruvian team in the J/24 Worlds!  Of special note was the best finish by a Uruguayan team was Pedro Garra on EXTASIS in 9th overall, the best Chilean team was Matias Seguel's team on Team VOLVO in 10th overall.  Also, the top Italian team was Ignazio Bonnanino on SUPERBA in 20th overall and top Australian was Sean Kirkjian on DEATHSTAR in 30th.  Brazil's past J/24 World Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz, had to bail from the Worlds for personal reasons, so top Brazilian team was Nelson Horn Ilha on DIFERENCIAL SAILING TEAM in 37th.  Congratulations must go to the top Womens' team (pictured here), an Argentinean crew led by Mariana Crousse on NUBARRON with six women leading the charge into a very respectable 32nd place, a top half finish and beating half the American J/24 teams!  Sailing photo credits- Jorge Cousillas/ El Ojo Nautico.   For more J/24 Worlds sailing information   J/24 Worlds Youtube video- an entertaining view sailing on an Argentine J/24 team.

J Sailors- Winning & Surviving on World Stage

* Win Some, Lose Some.  Tough week for "los amigos y hermanos de J/24s".  For starters, kindred J/24 spirits in Argentina were winning the J/24 Worlds.  But, their mentors and heroes were suffering interminable bad breaks.  For one, Ken Read's Volvo 70 PUMA Mar Mastro suffered the worst fate anyone of us could imagine, watching their super high-tech Scott Ferguson/ Hall Spars custom special carbon uber-rig simply fall over the side in three pieces in just 20+ knot winds in a long period 10-12 foot swell about 3 pm UTC off Brazil, about 700 nm from nowhere on Monday, November 21st.  What gives?  Maybe a symptom of the massive forces/ acceleration experienced in the first 48 hours of the race?  Certainly the conditions back then were bad enough to knock two of their competitors out of contention already (Abu Dhabi and Team Sanya).  Nevertheless, they're still "Thankful" for surviving to date.  Also, still surviving (and leading) are Iker Martinez on TELEFONICA, the ETNZ CAMPER boys and the French Connection on-board Franck Camas's team on GROUPAMA.

* A world apart and surviving in a tactical way was Terry Hutchinson on ARTEMIS RACING.  Sailing strongly in the America's Cup World Series on the AC45 cats in the racing leading up to the final days, Terry's team were handily in the top four.  But a shift here, a hole there and in the blink of an eye (e.g. 30 seconds) their hopes were dashed from competing for the finals.  Next up?  First race in 2012 is in Italy followed by Newport in late June!  Should be quite a sight to see these 45 foot cats flying around Narragansett Bay at light speeds between Castle Hill Light and the Newport Bridge!  Maybe some wise guy named Larry will show up with an AC72 foot version and show it off, too!?  Now, that would be very, very cool.

J's Enjoy Puget Sound Sailing Regatta

The Puget Sound Sailing Championships were held in October off Seattle, Washington. Sailing in this year's event were an enormous cross-section of J's big and small, from the bright-red J/22 called JINX to the beautiful flag-blue J/160 called JAM.  Snow-capped peaks are a common backdrop in the Pacific Northwest, as seen here at the 2011 Puget Sound Sailing Championship with this gorgeous J/29 sailing upwind on port tack with the sunny Cascade Mountains behind them.  It was a spectacular day of sailing despite the fact the forecast was lousy at best.  You can see many more pretty photos by Jan's Marine Photography here.

America's Cup World Series- Terry Hutchinson interview

* AC34 San Diego- last week we featured the J/120 sailors John Laun and Chuck Nichols who created SEA San Diego and are principally responsible for seeing the AC34 World Series event being held there this coming weekend.  Now for the actors themselves.  While friends from the J/24 and J/80 one-design world are "sending it" in the Volvo Ocean Race in their ocean-going greyhounds, namely Ken Read on PUMA and Iker Martinez on TELEFONICA, their "bicycle" buddies blasting around short-track racing avoiding brick walls and one another every ten seconds is none other than Terry Hutchinson and buddies on ARTEMIS RACING.  What's a J/24 World Champion to do after learning what it takes to play on a world stage-- fly around in wing-sailed catamarans, of course!  Cool stuff.  The real racing gets underway Wednesday and look to see Terry and the boys on ARTEMIS RACING amongst the leaders in this tough fleet of new-born cat fanatics.   Terry Hutchinson sailing interview/ preview.

J/24 Worlds- Sailing Update- 11th HOUR RACING Leading

(Buenos Aires, Argentina)- The 2011 J/24 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina started this week with 58 crews from 9 countries.  What is self-evident is the South American teams have learned a thing or two about racing J/24s over the years.  In the early years of the class, the Americans pretty well dominated most of the World Championships.  In recent years, top Europeans and top South American teams have leapt into the top of the leader-board and have managed to give the Americans excellent competition in any venue, regardless of wind and weather conditions.

On the first day of sailing, the host club's PRO from YC Argentino did a magnificent job getting off two good races considering the difficulty of the changing weather conditions.  The first race was to start at 2 pm, but there was only a 4 kt wind, so it had to be delayed. Finally, it started at 3:30 pm, with wind from the East of 6 kt. The winds continued to shift in direction and speed, challenging the skippers (and the anxiety-ridden tacticians) to stay on top of the rapidly shifting scenarios.  It was clear it was to the "locals" liking.  Coincidentally, the winners of both races were Argentinean teams, MENDIETA sailed by Francisco Van Avermaete and LUCA VIVE skippered by Alejo Rigoni.  Nevertheless, sitting at the top of the leader-board was Tim Healey, the current J/24 World Champion.

The second day of sailing proved to be tough again on the skippers trying to master the nasty chop, the current (because they're on the River Plate/ Rio de la Plata) and the even nastier oscillating/ persistent shifts from the East.  Mastering the conditions of the first race of the day (race #3) was yet another South American team, GUERRERO skippered by Luis Olcese from Peru.  The fourth race was won by Tim Healy's Newport, Rhode Island team sailing 11TH HOUR RACING.  Tim and the gang lead the entire race wire-to-wire by fellow American Mike Ingham skippering RELOADED.  Third was A PRUEBA DE BALAS skippered by Juan Grimaldi from Argentina.

At this stage, Tim's 11TH HOUR RACING holds a commanding lead of 20 points over a group of five boats all vying for the balance of the podium with a very consistent record of 3-5-4-1 for 13 pts total.  Francisco's Argentinean team on MENDIETA has a 1-10-12-10 tally for 33 pts, good enough for second.  Luis' Peruvian team on GUERRERO is third two points back with a scoreline of 6-13-1-15 for 35 pts.  Fourth in a tie is Matias Seguel's Chilean team racing VOLVO with a 16-12-3-7 tally for 38 pts and Miguel Saubidet's Argentinean team on FEFE sailing to a 12-3-7-16 also for 38 pts.  Just out of contention and staying in touch with the leaders are J/24 Champions Mike Ingham on RELOADED in 8th and Will Welles on PUMA in 11th.  Mauricio Santa Cruz from Brazil, another J/24 World Champion, is having his fair share of troubles on the first day, taking a Scoring Penalty in the first race and getting an SCP/DSQ in the second race, perhaps digging a hole that may be too deep to crack the top three-- nevertheless, if there was a magician on the race course, Mauricio has been known to make meteoric come-backs!  Watch this space!  For more J/24 Worlds sailing information

Vincenti Leads Anzio J/24 Winter Championships

(Anzio, Italy)- A summer day with twenty-six degrees C cooled by a gentle breeze from the west at 5-8 knots and the beautiful sea and sky a deep blue greeted the J/24 sailors for the first event in the Anzio & Nettuno Winter Championship series.  Hard to beat such spectacular conditions south of Rome in the Tyrrhenian Sea.  Anticipation for great sailing was quite high as twenty-five J/24s prepared to sail the first day of the 37th championship

The Race Committee waited for the arrival of the thermal in the early afternoon and managed to start racing around 1330 hrs.  After a gorgeous day of sailing, it was Marco Vincenti  racing Team DJKE that was leading the fleet by 3 pt.  Second was Ignazio Bonanno sailing LA SUPERBA and third was a surprising new face at the top of the leader-board, Luca Silvestri on ENJOY 2 just two points back from LA SUPERBA.  Fourth five points back has two boats currently tied on points, Gianni Riccobono sailing PELLENERA and Manuela Santarcangelo sailing INDIANA J!  The next event is scheduled for Sunday, November 6.  For more Anzio & Nettuno Winter Championship sailing information

VILJA Wins Cervia J/24 Winter Circuit

(Cervia, Romagna, Italy)-  After the notoriously fickle northern Adriatic Sea served up bad weather the previous week (rough seas and high waves), and great racing the following weekend.  It was a concern the final weekend of the eastern Italy fleet fall championship might be at risk to the fast-moving weather systems that start to fly across Europe in the fall.

On the previous weekend, a perfect day marked by sun, fresh Mistral (12-14 knots) and calm seas allowed the twelve J/24s to sail three excellent races.  At the end of the day, victory went to the Romagnan team on CAPTAIN NEMO, sailed by Dominic Bright, Richard Ancarani, Aurelio and Claudio Comporesi Menghi- all members of the Sailing Club Ravenna.

However, by the last installment of this event, the standings would change dramatically.  After nine races as counters for the entire championship series, it was Ruggero Sperafico's team on VILJA that wins the XXXVII Winter Championship Interlaghi, the seventh and final leg of the Italian Circolo J/24.  Second goes to a Pierluigi Puthod on SPLENDIDA, suffering from a DSQ in race 7 and a 19th in race 9 to lose the championship by three points! Tied with them, but losing the tie-breaker was was Francesco Bertone sailing JJ ExtraLarge-- ugh, more agony for the top three. Then, fourth was Pietro Diamanti skippering JAMAICA only two points back and rounding out the top five was Fabio Di Rossi on VALHALLA only two points further back!!  "If only", as they say at the pub afterwards after a few pints of Peroni's Nastro Azzuro!  For more J/24 Cervia Winter Series sailing information.

Wickwire Star of Canadian J/24 Match Race Championship

(Toronto, ONT, Canada)- No, it was not the "Hail-Fire Droid", nor the lightning quick "Speeder-bikes", nor "Luke" invoking special help from his buddies on "Tatooine".  It was just Peter Wickwire (J/24 owner of SUNNYVALE) and crew Tim Bishop and Matt Christie who won the CYA Match Racing Championship at Royal Canadian Yacht Club held on September 23-25th.

Learning fast and keeping their noses out of trouble, Peter and crew walked off with the Canadian Match Race Championship sailed in J/24s off RCYC in grand style.  Veteran, perhaps even legendary, Canadian sailors like John Hele, Terry McLaughlin, Andreas Josenhans and Hans Fogh should be so proud!  For more J/24 Canadian National Match Race Championship Sailing information

Dr Laura Sailing J/100 Spooks Goblin Regatta

(Santa Barbara, CA)- The Santa Barbara Sailing Club Goblin Regatta hosted 55 boats over the Halloween weekend for their annual fun race for family and friends in the region.  The weather was unbelievable- "shorts and shades" all weekend with classic Santa Barbara weather on stage- 70s daytime and sunny.  On Saturday the wind started light and built nicely towards the end of the day, Sunday started with a nice breeze and built into the teens by the last race.  Both PHRF and the J/24 fleets sailed seven good races.

Generally, the fleet starts off the harbor and heads west to a mark more or less off the point and outside of the monster kelp beds.  Meanwhile, the temptation to play the lifting shifts on starboard tack that are coming off the shore is often risky business, while offering tactical advantage it also takes you into monster kelp beds.  Kelp sticks and kelp cutters are necessary equipment sailing in this part of the world-- ever catch a 30 foot piece of kelp that weights a good 100 lbs or more?  You start sailing sideways faster than you can go forward!

Amongst the Halloween revelers this years was the famous "psych" talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, sailing her J/100 called PERFECT.  She named her boat that for a reason, she loves it and of all the sailboats she's ever owned, she considers it "the PERFECT boat"!  Imagine that.  Plus, she likes having a good time with it.  In this year's event, Dr Laura and her fully costumed J/100 crew (putting new meaning to the term "deck ape"- see photo above) ran away with the premiere class in the regatta, winning PHRF with five 1sts a 2nd and 3rd. Just behind them finishing 2nd was another local champion sailor, Larry Leveille racing his J/29 RUSH STREET (blue-striped boat seen just above).  Lying third was the J/22 MISS BEHAVIN.

In the J/24 class, Thomas Tunberg sailing BULLET from Santa Barbara Sailing Club won by winning the last race over Grant's ELECTRIC PUMPKIN from Santa Barbara YC. It was a cliff-hanger of a race for the top three in the last race, whomever beat who would determine the final placings on the podium.  In the end, BULLET's record of 1-1-2-3-1-4-1 for 13 pts triumphed over ELECTRIC PUMPKIN's 2-2-3-1-2-2-2 for 14 pts. Finishing third was Susan Taylor from California YC sailing TAKE FIVE, taking in some bullets for herself, scoring 4-3-1-2-3-1-3 for a total of 17 pts.   For more Santa Barbara Sailing Club sailing photos and   Goblin Regatta sailing results.

J/24 beer can racing- Professional Grade Sailing?

this one falls into the category of "OMG, They Can't Be Serious!"  Nevertheless, this new J/24 "go-fast" equipment shows how Tim Corbett's J/24 has taken summer beer can racing to a whole new level-- if not beyond professional grade, perhaps certifiable?  You can bet this team is pretty popular out on the water, particularly when people start getting thirsty.  Note the meticulous care to use a large overhead 2-ton crane to lower in a full keg of Grolsch beer (this guys aren't skimping on good beer, that's for sure) into the "hold" of a J/24-- substituting the top of the keg most assuredly for the normal companionway steps (the old Igloo Cooler).  Then, in what appears to be extraordinary attention to detail, note how the Igloo Cooler has been converted into a "cold tap" that has immediate access from the cockpit adjacent to the primary genoa winches.  If you want the fancy engineering plans, along with all the CAD/CAM and VPPs and FE analysis that shows how to improve J/24 performance and the PSYCHOLOGY TODAY impact study on crew moral enhancement and the Stan Honey analysis of YACHTING'S GREATEST INVENTIONS SINCE MAN SAILED LOGS and how that applies to the total average overall boatspeed of a J/24 pre-and-post "liquidation", be sure to contact Tim-- he's got all the answers.  We're certain he'd be happy to "convert" other J/24s to a similar point of view.

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