Bream Crowned J/24 Midwinter Champion

(Davis Island YC, Tampa, FL)- A two-peat! After the first day of racing defending champion, Peter Bream, of Jacksonville, Florida led the fleet and, remarkably, never looked back, holding his lead every day for over four days to win with a solid 9 pt lead and tossing out his worse race- a 5th!

Hosted by "The Sailingest Club in the South", Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida, and it's RC/ PRO teams did a wonderful job hosting the event in challenging conditions ranging from light to medium winds and the notorious Tampa Bay chop.

On the first day, the 28-boat fleet completed four races in beautiful 10-12 knot conditions under sunny skies.  The remains of Saturday’s strong cold front brought cool temperatures and 20 degree oscillations, which made staying of the lifted tack the rule of the day. Bream, aboard TEAM TARHEEL, found the weather to his liking and posted four top-three finishes to take a commanding 13 point lead.  Everyone else had a "bomber" of a race, including Mike Ingham of Rochester, New York in second and John Mollicone of Newport, Rhode Island in third.

The second day of racing was tough on all crews.  It was pretty clear after the dust settled from the battlefront on the Bay that TEAM TARHEEL were not to be dissuaded from their ultimate mission of dominating the competition.  Who knew?  Sure, Peter and the boys won last year, but you have rock stars like past J/24 World Champion Mike Ingham breathing down your neck and John Mollicone on 11th HOUR RACING/ SAILORS FOR THE SEA and Tony Parker on BANGOR PACKET throwing in a few upper cuts and jabs for good measure to keep them honest. Bream, the  sailed to a solid fifth place finish in the day's only race, held in a perfect 10 knot breeze under sunny skies. But as forecasted the wind gradually shifted to the south and died as the remnants of a cold front finally pushed through the area. The day's race winner, Tony Parker of Annapolis, Maryland, moved up to second place overall.

For the third day of sailing on Tuesday, the fleet was finally greeted by "classic" Tampa Bay weather.  Warm and sunny.  And, after a brief morning postponement, the sea breeze filled as expected and three races were completed.  The sailors were treated to perfect sailing conditions with 10-15 knots southeast winds.  In the day’s first race, Travis Odenbach of Rochester, New York played the final run perfectly to just edge out John Mollicone for the win. Mollicone responded by winning the next race in convincing fashion. In the day’s final race, defending champion and regatta leader, Peter Bream, snuck past Rochester’s Kris Werner to take the bullet.  As a result, after eight races Bream still topped the leader board ahead of John Mollicone of Newport, Rhode Island in second and Tony Parker of Annapolis, Maryland in third place overall. Back on shore, the hosts at the Davis Island Yacht Club once again pulled out all the stops with a pig roast and bluegrass band on the schedule.

The final day ended up being a bit anti-climactic.  So long as Peter and the TEAM TARHEEL boys simply didn't "blow it", the regatta was their's in hand.  In the end, the weather cooperated from the TARHEEL gang's perspective.  Only one race was completed in light 4-6 knot winds on the final day.  Bream’s consistent top-five finishes through 9 races allowed him to cruise to victory, finishing with a 9 point margin over John Mollicone of Newport, Rhode Island in second overall. Third place overall went to Tony Parker of Annapolis, Maryland.  Both Mollicone on 11TH HOUR and Parker on BANGOR PACKET surely must've been lamenting in their beers the decisions that forced them to take deep toss races-- Mollicone's 10-10 to start the regatta hurt their chances (sailing to the best record for the last seven races) and Parker's 13th in Race 4 and 7-6-7 in the final three dropped them out of the running.

Thanks go out to the great team at the Davis Island Yacht Club, Mount Gay Rum and all the other regatta sponsors. The J/24 Midwinter Championship again returns to DIYC in February, 2013.  For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information

J/24 Sailors Dominate 174th Royal Hobart Regatta

(Hobart, Tasmania)- The Royal Hobart Regatta is second only to Sydney's Australia Day Regatta in longevity, celebrating its 174th anniversary on a perfect late summer's day in the capital of the island State of Tasmania.

Regatta Day has been a public holiday since 1838 when the then Governor, Sir John Franklin, declared it a day of recreation and fun afloat and ashore for the citizens of the then small Hobart Town on the banks of the River Derwent.

Sir John and Lady Franklin led a sail past to the regatta grounds, still used today, and with a benevolent gesture, turned on free beer and food for the populace.

Tasmania's current Governor Mr Peter Underwood AC arrived by water, too, on the historic launch Egeria, but his Government House budget no longer runs to providing drinks and food for the citizens of this city of now some 250,000 people.

Apart the summer of the horrific bushfire of 1967, the Royal Hobart Regatta has been held continuously since 1838, not far behind the Australia Day Regatta which on 26 January this year celebrated 176 years of unbroken continuity.

This year's epochal event saw the 23-boat fleet in perfect sailing conditions, a constant 14-16 knot south-easterly sea-breeze, gusting to 19 knots.  The winner of the historic Lipton Trophy, decided on PHS handicaps, was the smallest boat in the fleet, Greg Rowling's J/24 ANOTHER TOY!  Congratulations to Greg and crew, yet another "David & Goliath" story to add to the J/24's long list of extraordinary achievements.  Thanks for the contribution of Peter Campbell.

St Petersburg NOOD Preview

(St Petersburg, FL)- This year's Sperry Topsider St Petersburg NOOD Regatta promises to have competitive fleets of J/24s and J/80s sailing on the waters of Tampa Bay.
Last February, Todd Fedyszyn turned a win in the J/24 class at the St Pete NOOD into a free charter in the British Virgin Islands.  On Feb. 17 to 19, on Tampa Bay, Fedyszyn will once again be aiming for that elusive overall championship. Standing in his way will be more than 100 other skippers, in 10 classes. But Fedyszyn won't have to look far to find some tough competition. The J/24 class, which will feature sixteen entries from as far away as Massachusetts and Illinois, is always one of the most hotly contested classes at each NOOD regatta stop. Local sailor David Mendelblatt is one to watch. As is Travis Odenbach from Webster, NY fresh off a highly competitive J/24 Midwinters the previous week also held on the capricious waters of Tampa Bay.

The J/80s have a good group of eight boats competing.  They will have to all contend with the "Middies" from the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron all competing in J/80s- a trio of sailors including Dave Manheimer on BEAR INSTINCT, Stephen Vincent on WILLY T and Jeff Jordan on EMOTIONAL RESCUE.

The warm weather and great sailing conditions on Tampa Bay are a big draw for out-of-state sailors, who usually make up over 50% of the fleet. In 2012 the regatta will feature sailors coming from as far away as New England, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. The event also draws PHRF sailors, including Bill Terry's J/120 TAMPA GIRL sailing in PHRF 1.

Of note, the St Pete NOOD is welcoming aboard as Sapporo, the oldest beer brand in Japan, as the "official beer"-- since 1876 Sapporo has been a favorite among beer lovers for its crisp and clean taste and is the #1 selling Asian beer in the United States.   For more St Pete NOOD Regatta sailing information

J/24 Sailing Fun @ Monaco's Primo Cup

(Monaco)- For almost 30 years, the European elite has been gathering in Monegasque waters at the beginning of February to take part in the Mediterranean yachting season’s biggest event in terms of the number of participants.  With almost 1,000 sailors coming from all over Europe, representing some 15 nationalities, the Primo Cup – Trophee Credit Suisse organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), is one of the most important winter events in Europe, marking the start of the international racing season in Europe and the Med.

Strong breezes and bright sunshine marked the first weekend of sailing which saw five very competitive series racing from Friday to Sunday for the J/24s and other classes.  International teams from all over Europe faced tough conditions, with winds up to 30 knots from the north-east to south-west, providing an excellent early start to the regatta season in demanding rather wintery conditions. “I take my hat off to all the participants, some of whom braved traffic problems caused by the wintery weather to get here, and while it was a bit chilly this year there was sunshine and wind in the bay of Monaco,” said a delighted Thierry Leret, Race Committee President, at the prize-giving when all the winning crews are presented with SLAM clothing and a pair of waterproof binoculars with compass from Bernard Optic.  No fewer than six races were held for the one-designs, still the best format for the most seasoned sailors when it comes to competing on a level playing field.

For the J/24 sailors, their sights are set on the J/24 European Championship in Monaco in 2013.  What a spectacular venue!  Sure to be a popular event, J/24 sailors must remember that none other than the HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco (and President of Yacht Club Monaco)  cut his teeth on one-design sailing in the family's principality sailing J/24s with numerous Americans and Europeans over the course of time-- at least a dozen years straight at last count!  Prince Albert is sure to be the gracious host yet again for the 2012 International J/24 European Championship at Yacht Club de Monaco!

In the 2012 edition, it was good to see the “southerners” clinch victory in the J/24s after several past series have been dominated by the “northerners”.  The crew from ST ANDREWS SECURITIES, with François Brenac as tactician, fought off the attacks by the Swede Marianne Schoke and her team sailing JULIA.  “I’ve been competing regularly in the Primo Cup for the last seven or eight years with members of the Yacht Club de Monaco. The Primo Cup is a fantastic event to kick-start the season and prepare for the big regattas later in the year. And, I am delighted to learn that Monaco will be hosting the J/24 European Championship from 6 to 12 October 2013,” said Marianne, who is also president of the J/24 European Class Association.

TOPO TOO, helmed by Claude Rodelato, finished third but the skipper was very satisfied with the result. He had a totally new team who came together specially for the Primo Cup, as his brother Jean and Blandine Medecin are currently among the leaders of the Transquadra Double-handed Transatlantic Race between Cascais (Portugal) and Le Marin (Martinique).  For more J/24 Monaco Primo Cup sailing results

J/24 Midwinters Preview

(Davis Island YC, Tampa, FL)- There are twenty-six plus J/24 teams headed down to "The Sailingest Club in the South", Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida, to do battle for honors of J/24 Midwinter Champion 2012.  As the world's largest one-design keelboat class, the International J/24 routinely develops some of the world's best sailors-- many of whom have won (or are about to win) events like the America's Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, Fastnet Races, Transpac Races, and far too numerous National and World Championships in other one-design classes to name here.

Today, with used J/24s running from $3,000 "garage specials" to fully kitted-out $40,000 ready-to-win racers, there's a "weapon of choice" for anyone from just about any walk of life- from the 1 per centers to the 99 per centers.   Some J/24s have "cold taps" installed for casual-to-serious racing in weekday beer-can events to others that have nano-sphere micro-polished hulls and blades where even water molecules fear a close-encounter with such perfection!  No matter the expectations or level of playing field one chooses, you're bound to see all types at a J/24 event anywhere in the world-- all having fun!

Amongst the better teams attending the J/24 Midwinters in Tampa are some National and World Champions in the class.  Look for Mike Ingham from Rochester, NY, a past World Champion, to be on the leader-board as well as class veteran Tony Parker sailing the famously-named BANGOR PACKET from Annapolis YC, Annapolis, MD.  Also factoring amongst the leaders will be John Mollicone sailing 11th HOUR RACING from SailNewport, Newport, RI and Travis Odenbach steering HONEY BADGER from Rochester, NY.  Most likely winning the "Long Distance" award already is Ken Johnson, an Englishman hailing from Club Nautico de Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina-- a recent participant in the J/24 Worlds 2011 in Buenos Aires.   For more J/24 Midwinters sailing information.

J Sailors Continue to Lead Volvo Ocean Race

* J sailors continue to be tough competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race.  Winning the proverbial "Hat Trick" so far is Iker Martinez sailing TELEFONICA-- his J/80 friends and family in Spain were certainly jumping for joy!  Helping him along as Navigator/Tactician is Andrew Cape, a J sailor himself having competed on many of them on the Solent in England.  Plus, Andrew was a Southampton YC "Island Double Race" winner on the J/44 J-HAWK sailing with Stu Johnstone back in 1991!  The Island Double is a famous short-handed race in England that starts/ finishes off the notorious Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, Isle of Wight-- it's the 65 nm dash around the Isle of Wight, the infamous original America's Cup course.  Andrew and Stu won the Island Double sailing the "classic" clockwise course, leaving all the buoys and the island to the right all the way around.  Ken Read and the boys on PUMA Mar Mastro do seem to have a bit of a "black cat hex" on them-- they just can't seem to "buy a break or a wind shift" to "save their bacon" and keep them out of trouble.  This last leg was literally a "minefield" of ships, fishing boats, fishing nets and all sorts of shoals and other islands obstacles, forgetting the fact they also had to deal with capricious winds and weather.  Kenny and crew took a flyer off to the right on the last segment from the Straits of Malacca, up the Vietnam coast to Sanya, China-- unfortunately, the gambit didn't pay off.  We wish both Iker and Kenny "fair winds and fair sailing" on their next leg from Sanya to Auckland, New Zealand.

J/24 MAKE MY J Wins Geelong Regatta

(Geelong, Australia)- A small group of hardy J/24 sailors made the annual sailing and party pilgrimage to Geelong this year. The weather was sunny and hot and with a great range of breezes to suit and gave the fleet some great close racing.  Here's their collective report from Hugo Ottoway and Simon Grain:

"This year the passage race was on the Thursday, with 3 windward/ leewards on the Friday and a short round-the-sticks race on Saturday.  Sunday was light wind and blazing hot.  More than that it was time to go home after the race.  And, you guessed it, the wind was on the nose back to Sandy, so we skipped the last race in favour of the tow we organised from one of the Sandy patrol boats and we all bought blue tarps to keep the sun off (looking like a B&Q or Home Depot "special"!).

So perhaps the most unusual regatta paparazzi photo-op is 3 of the 4 boat "tent city" towing back to Sandy (seen above with "greenies" on the afterdecks and wishing "shrimp on the barbie" was a possibility!).

The series was won by Simon Grain's MAKE MY J with a 1-1-2-2-1 for 7 points.  Next was Ron Thomson's KICKING BOTOM accumulating a respectable 3-3-1-1-3 for 11 points.  The KICKING BOTTOM boys narrowly edged out Robyn Coombs' HYPERACTIVE with their 2-2-3-3-2 for 12 points.

One of the highlights of the regatta was the gracious presence of J/24 International Class Measurer and Ambassador-- Stuart Jardine and his lovely wife Mary Ann.  Stuart was on hand to help Australian J/24 Class Measurer Peter Stevens, Victorian measurer Mark Haughton, Assistant measurer Doug McGregor and several members of the J/24 fleet at Sandringham learn the nuances of measuring a J/24 for International One-Design standards.

Stuart (now only 78 years young) is based in the UK and is a member of the International J/24 technical committee. His experiences in Europe, as well and the America’s over the past 30 years has given him a wealth of knowledge regarding the boats and he spoke of his vision regarding future and the where the class is going in the next 10 years and beyond (BTW, he still kicks the crap out of a LOT of young bucks/ newbies in the class who have NO idea who "that old guy" is). Stuart was impressed by the J/24 Australian national data base which has been correlated by the states and processed by Pete Stevens. With changes in the boats and new technology the class will be able to keep abreast of the best ways to make the measurement process fair and quick.

A strong measurement process is one of the fundamental foundations that make the J/24 Class such a great boat to race.  It’s not easy being a measurer, as I know having been involved at the highest level since 1988 and we should support the system that maintains our status as a prestige Class. To win a J24 National Title is one of the highest achievements in sailing, both here and abroad.  Lets help in maintaining our investment and encourage and support our measurers who currently are working towards a updated list of measured boats!"

Thanks to Hugo and Simon for their commentary. For more information on Stuart, please see this article on the International J/24 Class site.    For more Geelong Regatta Sailing results