J/24s “Back to the Future”

J/24 Midwinters @ Coral Reef YC For 2014!
(Coconut Grove, FL)- J/24s are going back to Miami?  Some may ask, “why did they ever leave?”  Yes, the famous Coral Reef Yacht Club is the host club for the 2014 J/24 Midwinter Championship. The adopted home of Tito Bacardi and other famous “stars” in the sailing world over time, like “Old Man Diaz”, the J/24s have a long and storied history of J/24 Midwinters on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.

What’s the recent NOAA Weather update for Biscayne Bay?  Just the normal stuff- SW winds 11-15 kts, bay waters a moderate chop. Skies clear with temperatures over 75 degrees.  Oh yea, it's no surprise that Wayne Cochrane's 1967 hit song "Going back to Miami" has been the winter-time anthem for many sailors around the world.

And, for the J/24 class it’s much more than just an anthem, coming to Miami has been a ritual for the J/24 Midwinters- it’s been held on Biscayne Bay a record thirteen (13) times, more than any other venue. Five times Midwinters champion Tim Healy will return again to try for another victory. Three of his wins have been on Biscayne Bay. Historical note for J/24 aficionados, who never won the Midwinters despite winning a record five J/24 Worlds??  The winner gets a free J/Calendar (answers-> first correct post on J/24 Facebook page).

Sorry, we digress.  Did you know Cochrane's song had a line- "Gotta lay out in the morning sun”? That should mean something to you Northern-types (e.g. anyone north of South Beach).  With balmy temperatures forecast for all of February on Biscayne Bay with the classic SE sea-breeze pumping in at 10-15 kts, it’s high-times (not Colorado’s or Uruguay’s version) to head south and enjoy a few “umbrella drinks” at Coral Reef CY’s fabulous pool-side cabana bar and throw some sailing in during the day for good measure!   For more J/24 Midwinter Championship sailing information

J/24 Midwinters Announcement

(Coconut Grove, Fl)- Coral Reef Yacht Club and J/24 Fleet 10 would like to welcome the J/24 Class to the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, Florida for the 2014 J/24 Midwinter Championship Regatta- being held from February 19th- 23rd, 2014.  The committees are working on finalizing details for local housing with club and fleet members as well as finding the best hotel rates in the surrounding area and we will be posting that information soon.

Also be looking for some entertaining stories from past Midwinter Regattas at CRYC in the 80's and 90's like.... “Do you know where the Black Flag came from”? Look forward to future news to find the answer and expect to see the original version of the Black Flag on the 2014 starting line after the first general recall (that is, if you don’t behave)!  And, some of our most entertaining TV sailing personalities of today (think AC Cup recently) got their start sailing J/24's in the 80's on Biscayne Bay ... there are stories to be told! Oh, those were the days!

Coral Reef YC are looking forward to showing everybody a great time with some of the best winter sailing you will find anywhere. Head on down and join the fun! If there is anything you need to know, simply contact Mark Pincus, the Regatta Chairman and Fleet 10 Captain at email- mwpincus@aol.com or phone# 305-915-1438.  Sailing photo credits- Tim Wilkes.com   For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information