Month: January 2025

  • SKELETON KEY Four-peats J/111 North Americans

    (Key West, FL)- The 2025 J/111 North American Championship was sailed on the gorgeous aquamarine waters off Key West. Sponsored by SAILING Inc. from Cleveland, OH, the regatta was hosted at the Galleon Hotel Tiki Bar, where the sailors enjoyed a fun, easy-going regatta in the rustic atmosphere of Key West.
    A strong ten-boat contingent of J/111s experienced a challenging four days of racing with mostly overcast skies and northerly breezes. With shifty, streaky winds, it was a game of “chutes & ladders” for the top five on the leaderboard. In the end, winning was Peter Wagner’s SKELETON KEY team from San Francisco, CA- Seadon Wijsen (tactician), Ryan Kern (spinnaker trimmer), Cory Schillaci (pit), John Collins (bow), John Hayes (mast), Dave Lyons (spinnaker trimmer) and Nicholas Gibbens (headsail trimmer). They climbed to the top of the podium on the last day to be crowned J/111 North American Champion for the fourth time!

    The fifth and final day of racing delivered a thrilling conclusion to an incredible week of racing. With the course axis set at 000° and wind velocities holding at 17 knots, gusting to 24 kts, the conditions brought a fittingly dramatic finale to this year’s competition.
    Under the direction of Chip Till and his efficient Race Committee, the 10th race was turned around seamlessly, ensuring competitors got the best possible conclusion to the regatta. The tight leaderboard in the J/111 fleet saw just 3 points separating the top three finishers, with SKELETON KEY on top with. 29 pts. They were followed by Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL in second place and Jeff Davis’s SHAMROCK in third place.
    A special thanks to the Race Committee, organizers, event supporters, and the fantastic teams at Galleon Marina and Tiki Bar for their hospitality and seamless operations.
    This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of sponsors: Mount Gay Rum, The Sailing Inc., Rob & Abby Ruhlman, J/Boats, Evolution Sails NZ, Harken/Harken Derm, EWE Spirit Foundation, Blue Aqua Productions, AA Dive Services and the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce.
    For more J/111 North Americanshttps://www.sailwave.com/results/NYC/j111.htm
    Southernmost Regatta sailing informationhttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/16411

  • 3-Bridge Fiasco Preview 2025

    (San Francisco, CA)- An annual favorite in the bay, the SSS Three Bridge Fiasco is the biggest yacht race in the US west of the Mississippi River, with 300+ boats every year. The race is a pursuit race (slowest boats start first), starts and finishes on the city front at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, and the course involves the Blackaller Buoy (by the Golden Gate Bridge), Yerba Buena Island/Treasure Island (Bay Bridge), and Red Rock (by the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge). The marks can be rounded in any order and any direction, providing the crazy appeal of this race.
    There are 303 keelboat entries for this year’s edition of the 3BF!! And, there are 54 J/Teams entered as mostly doublehanded teams- 18.0% of the fleet!
    J/105 DoublehandedIn the dozen-boat J/105 doublehanded fleet are a few of the top players from the famous San Francisco J/105 Fleet #1! That “rogue’s roost” of boats includes Jeff Litfin’s MOJO, Phil Laby’s GODOT 2.0, George Hecht’s NIUHI, and William Woodruff’s ROULETTE.
    J/24 DoublehandedThe eight-boat fleet of J/24s includes several renowned teams, such as Robin Van Vliet’s LITTLE WING, Jasper Van Vliet’s EVIL OCTOPUS, Richard Stockdale’s FROG LIPS, and Darren Cumming’s DOWNTOWN UPROAR.
    PHRF Doublehanded Non-SpinIn this twenty-three-boat fleet are Jess Christina’s J/27 MYSTIC and Adam James’s J/100 NORTHERN BEAR.
    PHRF Doublehanded SpinIn the 150+ PHRF doublehanded fleet is a wide variety of J/Teams. Some of the notable hot boats on SF Bay include Andrew Picel’s J/125 ARSENAL, Rufus Sjoberg’s J/125 RUFLESS, Barry Lewis’s J/120 CHANCE, Zach Berkowitz’s J/100 FEATHER, Ross Werner’s J/112E JUBILANT, Dan Brousseau’s J/109 TANGAROA, and Bill Mohr’s J/99 WIND DANCER.
    PHRF Doublehanded SportboatIn this 40+ boat class are Dave Macewen’s J/90 LUCKY DUCK, Ian Rogers’s J/90 ORCA, and Mark Howe’s J/88 SPLIT WATER. This will be a very tough class!
    PHRF Singlehanded SpinIn this dozen+ boat fleet are Scott Easom’s J/100 EIGHT BALL and Richard Leute’s J/44 ACEY DEUCY.
    Good luck to all of our J/Sailors in this absolutely crazy race! The tale of the tape will tell the story, often very, very bizarre ones at that!
    For more 3-Bridge Fiasco Race sailing informationhttps://www.jibeset.net/JACKY000.php?RG=T006291399

  • J/Teams Garner Silver in Hong Kong Around Island Race!

    (Hong Kong, China)- The annual Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Around the Island Race is one of the biggest inshore events in Hong Kong. It is a 26nm race around Hong Kong Island involving Class Keelboats, Dinghies, Beach Cats, and Cruisers.
    With an entry list of 200+ boats entered, and more than 1,500+ participants from all major yacht, sailing, and rowing clubs in Hong Kong, the regatta is as much about racing as it is about socializing ashore to catch up with “long-time, no-see” friends from the region.
    J/80 Class- 8 boatsFirst was the duo of De Angelis & Lucchini on J-CHI, winning by just over 4 minutes elapsed. Second was Henry Wong’s FOOTLOOSE in an elapsed time of 6 hr:28 min: 54 sec. Third about 15 minutes behind them was BK Lim’s LILA.
    IRC 8 DivisionThe eight-boat fleet was eclipsed by two J/Teams. Winning was Nick Southward’s J/109 ADMIRALTY HARBOUR- WHISKEY JACK with a corrected time of 5 hr:42 min: 42 sec. Just under 14 min. corrected time behind to take the silver medal was Andrew Pidden’s J/99 JUICE.
    IRC 9 DivisionIn this ten-boat fleet, it was Nico Cohen-Addad’s J/122E JINN that garnered the bronze medal with a corrected time of 6 hrs: 7 min: 9 sec!
    For more Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Around the Island Race sailing informationhttps://www.rhkyc.org.hk/sailing/races-and-regattas/local-racing/aroundtheislandrace

  • J/111 North Americans 2025 Update

    (Key West, FL)- The 2025 edition of the Southernmost Regatta features the 2025 J/111 North American Championship that is sailing on the gorgeous aquamarine waters off Key West. Sponsored by SAILING Inc. from Cleveland, OH, the regatta is being hosted at the Galleon Hotel Tiki Bar, where the sailors enjoy a fun, quaint, easy-going regatta in the rustic atmosphere of Key West.
    A strong ten-boat contingent of J/111s has been vying for 2025 North American Championship honors. So far, it has been a game of “chutes & ladders” for the top five on the leaderboard.
    Day 1- MondayIt was a classic Key West day of sailing on the sky-blue waters of the Florida Keys. Dawning with a gorgeous sunny day and 13 to 20 kt northerly winds, the fleet was eager to get rocking and rolling. For anyone who has sailed in those conditions, the northerly winds blowing offshore always provide very shifty, streaky winds.
    Surprising everyone with their speed and solid tactics, Jeff Davis’s crew from Cleveland, OH on SHAMROCK roared out of the starting gates with a trio of bullets in the first three races to handily lead the extremely competitive fleet by a wide margin.
    Trailing behind them in second place was Andrew & Sedgewick Ward’s BRAVO with Bill Hardesty on tactics from Shelter Island YC on eastern Long Island, NY. BRAVO had a 3-3-2 for 8 pts. Then, sitting in third was Steve Young’s DIABLO from Bayview YC in Detroit, MI with a 2-7-3 for 12 pts.
    Day 2- TuesdayWOW! Shocking outcomes and performances on the second day of competition. Unquestionably, Mother Nature was probably 90% responsible for such screw-ball finishes by the fleet as it was a dying northerly that was due to swing into the ESE late afternoon. That wildly variable wind produced a seismic shift at the top of the leaderboard, like the classic board game- “chutes & ladders”.
    Loving the Long Island Sound type of conditions, it was Bill Baxter’s FIREBALL from Riverside YC (with multiple World Champion sailor Steve Benjamin on mainsheet and tactics) that crushed the day. By winning both races, FIREBALL rocketed up the standings from 6th on day one to first place by one point! Suffering the flipside of that scenario was SHAMROCK, sending themselves down the proverbial “mine shaft” and posting an 8-10 tally to drop to 4th place!
    Day 3- WednesdayThe third day was canceled by 0900 hrs due to a forecast of 20 to 35 kts winds from the north due to a passing cold front. Flying “AP over A”, the fleet was told to take a “lay day” and explore all Key West and Duval Street had to offer on a cool, grey, overcast, very windy day! In short, many sailors, not surprisingly, gravitated to a popular sailor’s dive bar during the early evening- the infamous “Green Parrot Bar”- an institution since 1890… a “watering hole” known for featuring a huge, oblong-shaped bar, a jukebox, and frequent live music at the intersection of Whitehead and Southard Streets.
    Day 4- ThursdayThe forecast for Thursday’s racing was for 10 to 15 kts NNW with very shifty winds and overcast skies. That made for fast racing in flat waters to leeward of Key West and the Northwest Channel. Re-igniting their afterburners after a decidedly mediocre day on Tuesday was Davis’s SHAMROCK crew from Cleveland, OH. With three races run, they posted a 3-3-2 tally to race to the top of the leaderboard again to take over first place with a 3-point lead. Now counting their drop races, this also enabled past 3x J/111 NA Champion- Peter Wagner’s SKELETON KEY from San Francisco, CA- to also leap onto the podium in the provisional silver medal position. Wagner’s crew posted an impressive 1-4-1 for the day for 22 pts net. Slipping back in the provisional standings to third place was Baxter’s FIREBALL team from Long Island Sound, posting a teeth-gnashing 7-2-7 for 26 pts net.
    Friday will be the final day of racing with at least two races scheduled.
    For more J/111 North Americanshttps://www.sailwave.com/results/NYC/j111.htm
    Southernmost Regatta sailing informationhttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/16411

  • J/111 North Americans 2025 Preview

    Key West Southernmost Regatta Preview(Key West, FL)- The 2025 edition of the Southernmost Regatta is featuring the 2025 J/111 North American Championship, along with an ORC handicap fleet. Sponsored by SAILING Inc. from Cleveland, OH, the regatta is hosted at the infamous Galleon Hotel Tiki Bar, where the sailors enjoy a fun, quaint, easy-going regatta in the rustic atmosphere of Key West.
    J/111 North AmericansA remarkably strong eleven-boat contingent of J/111s will be vying for 2025 North American Championship honors over the five-day series running from Monday to Friday, January 20th to 24th, 2025.
    There are a number of “virgin” teams sailing their first J/111 NA’s as well as enthusiastic participants to sail in the gorgeous aquamarine-blue waters off Key West. The teams are all hoping for “classic” Key West conditions with breezes from the East/ Southeast, lumpy waves, and warm trade wind-like sailing conditions.
    Certain to be a factor at the top of the leaderboard will be three-times past J/111 NA Champion Peter Wagner and his SKELETON KEY crew from San Francisco, CA. Chasing them hard will be a quartet of teams that have proven to be contenders on the podium in past J/111 regattas. Those teams include Rob Ruhlman’s SPACEMAN SPIFF from Cleveland, OH; Andrew & Sedge Ward’s BRAVO for Shelter Island, NY; Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL from Riverside, CT; and Jeff Davis’s SHAMROCK from Cleveland, OH.
    ORC DivisionIn this seven-boat fleet are two well-sailed J/Teams. Matt Schaedler’s J/122 BLITZKRIEG just earned a bronze medal in the Ft Lauderdale to Key West Race. Then, Ove Haxthausen’s J/133 RUMBA is expecting to excel in the windward-leeward race course format over the five days.
    For more J/111 North Americans and Southernmost Regatta sailing informationhttps://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/16411

  • BOOT Dusseldorf Displaying New J/40, J/99, and J/70!

    (Dusseldorf, Germany)-  The world-famous Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show will take place from January 18th to 26th, 2025, in Dusseldorf, Germany, at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center.
    With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
    Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Dusseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
    On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the world’s largest international sportsboat class- the J/70, and the magnificent new J/40 performance cruising yacht!
    For more BOOT Dusseldorf boat show informationhttps://www.boot.com/

  • J/Newsletter- January 15th, 2025

    The 2025 sailing season is off to a thrilling start, with races and regattas showcasing the best of what the sport has to offer. From the competitive spirit in Tampa Bay’s J/70 Winter Series II to the high-speed drama of the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, sailors are already making waves— both literal and figurative. Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for events like the J/111 North Americans at the Southernmost Regatta in Key West and the sun-soaked festivities of Barbados Sailing Week in the eastern Caribbean.  
    This month’s stories bring you the excitement of returning to beloved venues like Davis Island Yacht Club post-storm recovery, exhilarating accounts of high-performance racing in the Florida Keys, and a look ahead at what promises to be an unforgettable regatta season. Whether you’re seeking speed, strategy, or the camaraderie of the sailing community, there’s something for everyone on the horizon.

    BOOT Dusseldorf Displaying New J/40, J/99, and J/70!

    (Dusseldorf, Germany)- The world-famous Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show is taking place from January 18th to 26th, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany at the sprawling Messe Conference & Exhibit Center.
    With over 300 sailboat-related exhibitors, there is no question that the world’s largest sailboat show in the heart of Europe is an exciting place to visit.
    Renowned as one of the major “arts” centers in Europe, Dusseldorf is both a cultural attraction along the gorgeous Rhine River as well as an amazing boat show to attend- truly one of those cultural events the entire family can enjoy!
    On display in Hall 16/ Booth D21 will be the latest J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster, the world’s largest international sportsboat class- the J/70, and the magnificent new J/40 performance cruising yacht! For more BOOT Dusseldorf boat show information.  Read more here.  

    SAVASANA Leads J/70 Winter Series II- Tampa Bay

    (Tampa, FL)- Thirty-three J/70 teams participated in the Winter Series at Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC) in Tampa, Florida on January 10-12. While the Series has traditionally been held over three weekends annually, DIYC had to cancel the December event due to ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which left widespread damage throughout the Tampa Bay area. Racers were grateful to return to this popular location. Saturday’s conditions were breezy at 12-18 knots, however, the moving cold front sucked out the wind on Sunday, leaving the standings at four races.  Read more here.

    J/125 Overall Winner SORC Ft Lauderdale to Key West Race!

    (Ft Lauderdale, FL)- This week, the Storm Trysail Club is hosting the renowned Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, covering a distance of 160.0 nautical miles around the Florida Keys. 
    The owner of the Maxi 72 BELLA MENTE- Hap Fauth- called the race an “exciting sleigh ride!” No wonder, as they reached a top speed of 27 knots on the way to Key West. J/24 World Champion tactician Terry Hutchinson added, “It was a great race to start 2025 out in a positive way. Moderate Nor’easterly winds greeted the fleet at the start of Ft. Lauderdale. Then, the 160-mile ride south/southwest around the Florida Keys was awesome! We had everything from 27 to 10 knots of true wind speed and managed the course in 11 hours and 16 minutes, with an average boat speed of 15.3 knots. You could not have asked for better conditions!”
    Several J/Teams participated in the race and collected a roomful of silverware! Read more here.

    J/111 North Americans 2025 Preview

    Key West Southernmost Regatta Preview(Key West, FL)- The 2025 edition of the Southernmost Regatta is featuring the 2025 J/111 North American Championship, along with an ORC handicap fleet. Sponsored by SAILING Inc. from Cleveland, OH, the regatta is hosted at the infamous Galleon Hotel Tiki Bar, where the sailors enjoy a fun, quaint, easy-going regatta in the rustic atmosphere of Key West. 
    J/111 North AmericansA remarkably strong eleven-boat contingent of J/111s will be vying for 2025 North American Championship honors over the five-day series running from Monday to Friday, January 20th to 24th, 2025. 
    There are a number of “virgin” teams sailing their first J/111 NA’s as well as enthusiastic participants to sail in the gorgeous aquamarine-blue waters off Key West. The teams are all hoping for “classic” Key West conditions with breezes from the East/ Southeast, lumpy waves, and warm trade wind-like sailing conditions.
     Read more here.

    Barbados Sailing Week Preview 2025

    (Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay, Barbados)- Yet again, the Barbados Cruising Club is welcoming sailors from near and far across the Caribbean to their gorgeous corner of the Earth. Barbados is the easternmost of the Windward Islands and sailors are looking for a long weekend of “fun in the sun”! Starting with Coastal Offshore Races this weekend, the finale will be the famous Mt. Gay Round Barbados Race.
    Read more here.

     

    J/Gear January 20% Off Specials
    (Newport, RI)-  The January 20% off specials will feature 2 items.
    J Soft Shell VestThe J Soft Shell Vest introduces new performance features welcomed under diverse sailing conditions. The soft shell offers warmth from bonded layers of microfiber and spandex for ease of movement while protecting from windy, rainy, and chilly conditions. Here are basic specifications:

    1000 mm waterproof rating
    96% polyester, 4% spandex bonded to 100% polyester microfleece
    Wind- and water-resistant
    Interior storm flap with chin guard
    Open hem with dropped back bottom

    Order the J Soft Shell Vest here
    J Brim HatThe J Brim Hat is a rugged full-brim hat that protects from the sun and fits snugly with the assistance of a chin strap. This cap is manufactured by Columbia and features a breathable circumference. Here are basic specifications:

    Omni-Shade™ 100% textured nylon poplin on top, sides and brim
    Omni-Wick™ sweatband and mesh vents
    Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 protects you from the sun’s harmful rays
    Omni-Wick sweatband and mesh venting actively breathe and pull moisture away from your skin to keep you cool.
    Adjustable drawcord and toggle at the back
    Fits most head bans: 21.5″ – 24.5″
    3″ brim

    Order the J/ Brim Hat here