Month: July 2025

(Niewupoort, Netherlands)- More than 270 sailors from Belgium and abroad descended on the Belgian coast for the 2025 J/80 World Championship. The event is organized by the Koninklijke Yacht Club, supported by a young team of enthusiasts under 30 – a striking example of rejuvenation in sailing.
The city of Niewupoort is a perfect location for an event of this magnitude. With some 2,000 moorings and challenging conditions on the North Sea— think currents, sandbanks, and changeable weather— Nieuwpoort offers everything a top-tier championship requires. “Those who stay the course on the North Sea will stay the course anywhere,” they proudly proclaim.
Going into the finale on Friday, the provisional standings see the classic battle between the top two nations in the J/80 class- Spain versus France. Not too surprisingly, both countries dominate the leaderboard. Currently leading after nine races sailed is Spain’s Javier Padron Torrent’s EUROFRITS AVIKO/ NEWIND FOODS with 18 pts net. Sitting in second place is fellow countryman Jose Ruiz Sanchez’s DORSIA SAILING TEAM with 24 pts net. Then, sitting on the provisional bronze medal step on the podium is the top French team- Pierre Laouenan’s ÉCOLE NAVALE- EQUIPE DE FRANCE MILITAIRE with 26 pts.
The balance of the top five includes Simon Moriceau’s French team on DENTAL.L.I.ASSIST in fourth place and Luis Martin Cebedes’s Spanish team on NOTICIA in fifth place.
Just one more day to go, and everything is up for grabs, as the two Spanish leaders both have high double-digit scores to throw out. One hiccup on the last day would dash their hopes of staying on the podium.
For more J/80 World Championship sailing informationhttps://www.j80worldsnieuwpoort2025.com/

J/99 Class won by McKeige’s SAVE THE SOUND(Block Island, RI)- This year’s Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week featured a diversity of weather challenges all week long; from clear sunny “shorts & shades” glamma days to grey, cool, ugly, drizzly days to keep everyone honest. In the end, numerous J/Teams filled up the leaderboard, garnering a lion’s share of the silverware across several PHRF Corinthians divisions. One notable performance was registered by one of the most iconic cruising sailboats produced by J/Boats.

PHRF Performance Cruising A DivisionAfter having raced in the Long Island Sound J/44 One-Design class for decades, Len Sitar and his experienced crew opted for even more comfort and performance in the form of a J/160! What’s not to like about A/C, wine coolers, heaters, and icemakers on board! After a complete renovation, Len renamed his J/160 COUGAR and has proceeded to race his “cruiser” extensively in offshore races up and down the northeastern seaboard. Their most recent escapades involved participating in this year’s Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week in the PHRF Performance Cruising- Rule 26 fleet (maximum one Category 3 sailor aboard).
With his very experienced crew, thanks to hundreds of J/44 one-design races over decades, Lennie’s COUGAR team vanquished their erstwhile competitors in their sixteen-boat fleet! Like a huge locomotive gathering steam down the tracks, COUGAR started with a 5-4, then smoked the fleet, closing with a 2-2-1 to win handily with 14 pts total!
Not far off their pace were some fellow J/Boats owners. Taking the bronze medal was Joe Brito’s team from Bristol, RI, on his extensively-campaigned J/121 INCOGNITO. Then, fourth place went to Steve Losik’s J/121 HABIRU, fifth to Steve Brownlie’s J/133 ASSARAIN IV, seventh to Kevin Kelley’s J/122 SUMMER GRACE, ninth to Trevor Roach’s J/121 TOUCH OF GREY, and tenth to Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE. Not a bad outing for J/Teams from across the northeast! 7 of the top 10 and 11 of the top 15!!
PHRF Performance Cruising B DivisionIn a somewhat similar fashion, the same “movie” played out in this fourteen-boat fleet. Also, veterans of decades of world-class one-design racing in the J/80, the Storck family (J/80 North American Champions) opted for more speed and comfort like Len Sitar’s J/160 crew and got themselves a brand new shiny toy- their J/130 BLITZEN. Having campaigned her for several years, John Storck and family members have learned to extract more and more performance out of their J/130 “cruising machine”. That was self-evident in this year’s Block Island week; winning their fleet handily with a 2-1-3-4-2 for 12 pts! Seemingly, all of BLITZEN’s cruising amenities did little to slow her down in the challenging, choppy waves in Block Island Sound.

J/99 One-Design sub-classA slew of new J/99s were also sailing in this PHRF B division. Top dog in the J/99 class was Doug McKeige’s SAVE THE SOUND, also taking 4th in fleet. Second was Steve Wadsworth’s TRIPLE WHISKEY (6th in fleet), third was designer Rodney Johnstone’s family crew from Stonington, CT aboard JAZZ (7th in class), fourth was Tom O’Connell’s FINALE, and fifth place went to Kevin Sherwood’s BAY RETRIEVER.
For more Storm Trysail Block Island Race Week sailing informationhttps://stormtrysail.org/regattas/blockislandraceweek/

(Stockholm, Sweden)- After an unprecedented 16-hour postponement due to extreme weather, the 2025 Gotland Runt, one of the world’s largest annual offshore races, finally got underway! At 6:00 AM, under a clear sky and with brisk winds, the fleet set sail from Sandhamn, heading for the island of Gotland.
The planned start was called off due to severe gusts, heavy rain, and hail. Race management prioritized safety, instructing all boats to remain securely moored in Sandhamn. After careful monitoring of the weather, a new start time was set, and the course was shortened to 312 nautical miles, with boats rounding Almagrundet before heading south.
This year’s edition of Gotland Runt delivered drama, records, and international star quality. Nearly 200 boats from ten nations gathered in Sandhamn to take part in the classic race around Gotland, which traditionally attracts both elite crews and passionate amateur sailors.

The owner/skipper of the J/121 JOLENE commented on their silver medal-winning performance:”We came second in our class and ninth overall (full crew and shorthand). Our class was the ORC Doublehanded Swedish Championship. We are happy with the podium place, but we had the gold within reach, so we’re a bit frustrated about not getting it!”
For more Gotland Runt Race sailing informationhttps://www.ksss.se/en/gotlandrunt/

(Helsinki, Finland)- After a thrilling week of competition on the Baltic Sea, the 2025 Garmin ORC Doublehanded European Championship concluded on a high note at Helsingfors Segelklubb. The final day brought welcome sunshine, smiling sailors, and a celebratory spirit as the fleet gathered to reflect on an event marked by intense offshore racing, exceptional seamanship, and the strong camaraderie of the doublehanded community.
Over two challenging offshore races— one short, one long— sailors navigated heavy weather, shifting strategy, and the demands of a two-person crew. In the end, one of those teams at the top of their class, earning the European title for their outstanding performance, was the J/121 JOLENE, co-skippered by Fredrik Rydin and Johan Tuvstedt.
In Class A, Sweden’s JOLENE delivered a flawless campaign by winning both the Short Offshore and Long Offshore races. Their total of 2.5 points secured the overall victory and the title of 2025 ORC Doublehanded European Champions in Class A.
The win marks a significant step forward for the Swedish pair, who previously earned bronze at the inaugural ORC Doublehanded World Championship in 2022. A European title now backs their growing consistency on the international stage.
“Winning both races and becoming ORC Double-Handed European Champions in Class A means a lot to us. Thank you so much for a fantastic regatta – ORC and Helsingfors Segelklubb. We’re delighted to be there,” commented Fredrik and Johan. Here is how it all went down for this winning duo over the two races.
Short-distance raceThe regatta got underway in Helsinki with the Short Offshore Race on Tuesday, July 8. This marked the official start of racing after days of measurement, safety checks, and a practice race. Hosted by Helsingfors Segelklubb (HSK), the opening day tested both teams and race management with shifting wind conditions and an evolving weather pattern.
The first warning signal was scheduled for 11:00, but shifting breeze forced a postponement while the race committee adjusted the starting line. The fleet was eventually sent off at 11:40. The 32.98 nautical mile course began just southwest of Melkki Island with a short upwind to the first mark, then led northeast around Truthäll and Trutkubb to port. The course then turned south to round Louekari, followed by a southeast stretch past Gråskärsbådan and the Helsinki Lighthouse, both taken to starboard.
The offshore leg continued to Ulappa S, Ulkomatala, and Gråskärsbådan East before heading north again toward the finish near the southern approach to Helsinki.
Principal Race Officer Madis Ausman described the last part of the race as follows:“We expected the last upwind leg to the finish line to be more of a stretch leg, with not too many tacks involved. However, it became more of a true upwind with a lot of tacks involved. The shift had been predicted– just not that early. In the end, the estimated time for the whole race matched the actual elapsed time quite well. So, it all worked out nicely, and everyone seems to be happy with today’s Short Offshore.”
Class A featured a close fight over the entire course, but it was the Swedish team JOLENE that emerged on top. Skipper Fredrik Rydin and co-skipper Johan Tuvstedt sailed a smart and disciplined race aboard their J/121, finishing in 4:17:44 elapsed time to take the win on corrected time. Their margin of victory was 14 minutes and 43 seconds ahead of fellow Swedes.
It was a strong opening statement by JOLENE, who recently earned silver at the Swedish Championship. According to co-skipper Johan Tuvstedt, the key to today’s performance was their upwind boatspeed: “That was the deciding factor against our competitors today. We were noticeably faster going upwind compared to previous races against them.”

Long-distance raceThe Long Offshore Race, the most demanding stage of the regatta sailed around the Gulf of Finland. After a light-wind start on Wednesday, July 9, the fleet of 33 double-handed teams from seven nations set out on a challenging course of 280.0nm, putting their endurance, strategy, and seamanship to the test.
Weather conditions evolved as predicted: what began as a light breeze built into steady 8–9 m/s winds overnight, offering a mix of upwind and downwind sailing. The fleet progressed through a long beat along the Estonian coast, heading north toward Porvoo lighthouse. Then, they turned downwind back toward Helsinki Lighthouse for a 20.0nm run, and finally turned again toward the finish line with approximately 12 miles to go. The first boats finished early Friday morning.
The race proved to be a tactical chess match, with continuous pressure on crews to stay alert and make the right calls.
In Class A, Sweden’s team JOLENE claimed a clear victory after completing the 283-mile course in 45 hours, 12 minutes, and 29 seconds. Their corrected time placed them over 1 hour and 20 minutes ahead of the next competitor, securing them the overall Class A title after also winning the Short Offshore Race.
“It was a tough, but fantastic race. We had a fast downwind start for the first 12 to 18 hours, then a long and demanding upwind leg through beautiful scenery along the Finnish archipelago. We’ve done a lot of offshore races before, but this one was special — both for the challenge and the setting.
Winning both races and becoming ORC Doublehanded European Champions in Class A means a lot to us. Right now, we’re just happy, tired, and ready for some rest!!”
For more ORC Doublehanded European Championship sailing informationhttps://orc.org/dheuropeans2025

Across oceans and offshore challenges, deciphering fickle lake winds large and small, J/Teams shone brightly this past week.
From the Baltic’s brisk breezes to the North Sea’s wild currents and the turquoise trades of the Pacific, J/Teams have been racking up wins, silverware, and serious offshore miles in some of the world’s most iconic races. In a season defined by gritty determination, shifting weather, and tactical brilliance, the J/sailing community continues to dominate headlines.
From Finland to Bermuda, Germany to Hawaii, this week’s round-up captures the spirit of J/Boats and the sailors who race them: resourceful, resilient, and relentless in pursuit of performance. Whether it was the J/121 JOLENE clinching the ORC Doublehanded Europeans in Helsinki, Finland, the all-out sprint around Gotland in Sweden, or the trans-ocean tests of Marion to Bermuda and the legendary Transpac, J/crews once again proved they’re built for the long haul.
Add in a victory lap for LADY IN RED at Kieler Woche, a deep dive into J/80 Worlds off Belgium, and a standout showing in the performance cruising class at Block Island Race Week— and we’ve got a globe-spanning season of success worth celebrating.

J/121 JOLENE Wins ORC Doublehanded Europeans
(Helsinki, Finland)- After a thrilling week of competition on the Baltic Sea, the 2025 Garmin ORC Doublehanded European Championship concluded on a high note at Helsingfors Segelklubb. The final day brought welcome sunshine, smiling sailors, and a celebratory spirit as the fleet gathered to reflect on an event marked by intense offshore racing, exceptional seamanship, and the strong camaraderie of the doublehanded community.
Over two challenging offshore races— one short, one long— sailors navigated heavy weather, shifting strategy, and the demands of a two-person crew. In the end, one of those teams at the top of their class, earning the European title for their outstanding performance, was the J/121 JOLENE, co-skippered by Fredrik Rydin and Johan Tuvstedt. Read more here.

Spanish Leading J/80 World Championship!

(Niewupoort, Netherlands)- More than 270 sailors from Belgium and abroad descended on the Belgian coast for the 2025 J/80 World Championship. The event is organized by the Koninklijke Yacht Club, supported by a young team of enthusiasts under 30 – a striking example of rejuvenation in sailing.
The city of Niewupoort is a perfect location for an event of this magnitude. With some 2,000 moorings and challenging conditions on the North Sea— think currents, sandbanks, and changeable weather— Nieuwpoort offers everything a top-tier championship requires. “Those who stay the course on the North Sea will stay the course anywhere,” they proudly proclaim.  Read more here.

J/121 JOLENE Silvers @ Gotland Runt Race/ ORC Doublehanded Swedish Championship!

(Stockholm, Sweden)- After an unprecedented 16-hour postponement due to extreme weather, the 2025 Gotland Runt, one of the world’s largest annual offshore races, finally got underway! At 6:00 AM, under a clear sky and with brisk winds, the fleet set sail from Sandhamn, heading for the island of Gotland.
The planned start was called off due to severe gusts, heavy rain, and hail. Race management prioritized safety, instructing all boats to remain securely moored in Sandhamn. After careful monitoring of the weather, a new start time was set, and the course was shortened to 312 nautical miles, with boats rounding Almagrundet before heading south..  Read more here.

J/42 Tops Marion Bermuda Race!

(Hamilton, Bermuda)- Since the early 1970s, a trio of sailing clubs (Beverly Yacht Club (Marion, MA), Blue Water Sailing Club (Boston, MA), and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (Bermuda) have hosted the biennial 645.0nm Marion to Bermuda Race. It is a challenging race that starts off the Marion, MA starting line inside Buzzards Bay and then finishes off St. David’s Lighthouse on the eastern tip of Bermuda. Over the years, multiple J/Crews have participated in the event, many garnering silverware along the way.
In this year’s edition, it was David Tabor and Carol Vaughn’s J/42 DIANTHUS that won ORR Division A. In addition, they were also declared winners of the J/Boats Award for top J/Boat overall in the race!  
A great story was written about the race by Lydia Mullan from SAIL Magazine. Her Editor-in-Chief, Wendy Mitman Clarke, was part of the J/42 DIANTHUS crew! Here’s her story.  Read more here.

Transpac Race Update
(Honolulu, Hawaii)- Starting on July 1st, four divisions began racing the 2,225.0nm Transpac Race at 1320 hrs on the waters off of Los Angeles’s Point Fermin. Organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club, the biennial event is considered one of the world’s premier ocean races. It uses three pursuit-style starts spread over five days (July 1, 3, and 5, 2025) to help all 53 boats finish within days of each other at Honolulu’s Diamond Head.  On Thursday, here was the status of the various J/Teams in the race. Read more here.

LADY IN RED Tops J/70s @ Kieler Woche!
(Kiel, Germany)- In its 144th year, Kieler Woche took place for a week at the end of June. During Kiel Week, the state capital of Kiel became a “home for everyone”. This year’s unique blend of world-class sailing event and colorful summer festival invited visitors to arrive, let go, and experience. Around 3.3 million visitors celebrated throughout the city.
The importance of Kiel Week as a sailing/ sporting showcase on the Baltic Sea is manifest by its enormous popularity: with over 4,000 sailors from 65 nations, approximately 1,500 boats, 29 classes, more than 350 starts, and 14 race courses.
As the world’s largest sailing regatta, it’s a true “Woodstock” of sailing! Featuring not just sailing competitions, but live music and countless food stands off the water. Read more here.

J/160 COUGAR Rocks Block Island Race Week Performance Cruising Division!

J/99 Class won by McKeige’s SAVE THE SOUND(Block Island, RI)- This year’s Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week featured a diversity of weather challenges all week long; from clear sunny “shorts & shades” glamma days to grey, cool, ugly, drizzly days to keep everyone honest. In the end, numerous J/Teams filled up the leaderboard, garnering a lion’s share of the silverware across several PHRF Corinthians divisions. One notable performance was registered by one of the most iconic cruising sailboats produced by J/Boats.. Read more here.

(Kingston, Ontario, Canada)- In preparation for the 2026 J/80 North Americans and J/80 Worlds regattas in July next year, CORK/ Sail Kingston, in collaboration with the J/80 North American Class Association, hosted a 3-day “test event” regatta in Kingston, Canada on June 27-29. Most notably, the regatta was employing the Vakaros RaceSense starting system – a first for J/80’s in North America.
A dozen J/80’s and a slightly smaller fleet on J/70’s from fleets across eastern Canada and northeastern US enjoyed three spectacular sailing days with a total of eight races run in the champagne sailing conditions that Kingston, “the freshwater sailing capital of the world”, is known for.
Day 1 included some unsettled weather with shifty winds and rain to start before settling in to 10-12 knots from the south. Day 2 saw a solid 20 knot southwest system wind blow throughout the day with brilliant sunshine and 25 C temperatures. Day 3 started with light air under cloudy skies before the 12-15 knot Kingston thermal filled in by early afternoon.
US sailor Connor Hayes’s MORE GOSTOSA from Winnipesaukee Yacht Club won the regatta. Then, Brian Gibbs’s BLIND FAITH from Jubilee Yacht Club, along with Hugh McGugan’s BREAKAWAY J from Kingston Yacht Club, battled it out for the top three spots in the J/80 fleet, with Hayes winning the event, followed by Gibbs and McGugan.
As promised, the Vakaros RaceSense system, along with a GPS-enabled pin boat, delivered a “no general recall” and “next start quick turnaround” experience throughout the regatta as the sailors gained experience with Vakaros-enabled starting.
The J/80 2026 Worlds are set for July 18-27, 2026, and J/80 North Americans for July 8-12, 2026 – both regattas will be hosted by CORK and Sail Kingston. The Canadian J/80 fleet is looking forward to competitors attending from around the world!

J/111 BRAVO Awarded Everett B Morris Trophy, J/122 TEAMWORK Wins ORC NA’s D3!(Block Island, RI)- This year’s Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week featured a diversity of weather challenges all week long; from clear sunny “shorts & shades” glamma days to grey, cool, ugly, drizzly days to keep everyone honest. In the end, numerous J/Teams filled up the leaderboard, garnering a lion’s share of the silverware across several PHRF/ ORC handicap divisions as well as strong participation in one-design classes for J/88s, J/105 East Coast Championships, J/44 North Americans, and J/109s sailing in their East Coast Championships. Here is how it all went down over the five-day regatta.
MondayRacing in the 31st Block Island Race Week got underway on Monday with the North Sails Race Day. After a one-hour wind delay, the three fleets motored through “The Cut” to their respective race courses for a noon start as the sea breeze filled in from the southwest. The wind stayed stable for the remainder of the afternoon.
The winner of 2023’s Everett B. Morris Perpetual Trophy – known as “Boat of the Week” for the 30th BIRW, Deja voodoo, won the day in the 17-boat J/105 class, which is also the one-design fleet’s East Coast Championship.
“The boat was going well and we were able to get one boat on the last leg and end up in first,” said DEJA VOODOO’s owner, Bill Zartler from Houston, TX. When asked whether his team feels any added pressure of being the returning champions, he noted that “there is always a target on your back!!”
Racing boats were accompanied offshore by pods of dolphins trying to catch a glimpse of the action, while families and friends of sailors awaited their return onshore— “mudslides” in hand.
For 60 years, Block Island Race Week has been a true family affair for many sailors. Both on and off the water, the regatta provides opportunities for families to create memories, strengthen bonds, and just have fun all together!
Aboard BLITZEN, a J/130 in the Performance Cruising division, two generations of the Storck family were racing together. John Storck, Jr. (who holds the record for the most Race Weeks of 30) is joined by his sons, John III and Ian, his daughter Kaity, and son-in-law Baker Potts. The third generation was being looked after by the family matriarch, Colette, enjoying everything Race Week has to offer on shore.
“It’s what our family has always done,” says John III. “We went through a period where we were doing other sailing ventures. Now that we’re getting older and have little kids of our own. Race week fits into the combo of sailing and family vacation, and we’re so happy to be back.”
TuesdayThe Regatta Craft Mixers Race Day turned up the heat at Block Island Race Week— literally. The Island was not spared from the heat wave sweeping the East Coast this week, but that did not put a stop to the action out on the water. With heavier winds than Day 1, the day began on time and featured champagne sailing conditions for the windward-leeward and navigator courses.
TEAMWORK, a J/122 owned by Robin Team, came out on top in both races in the ORC 3 class. “We’re having great winds and Chamber of Commerce weather. What else could you ask for in a regatta?” Team added. “It’s our fifth BIRW and we love it.”
Meanwhile, in the Performance Cruising 2 class, it is a neck-and-neck race for the overall leader. George Harrington’s J/112E #bigsandwich was sitting in second by one point after four races. “Great competition this week. Our fleet is incredibly tight,” said Harrington. “We’re doing good and we’re having fun!”
As sailors settled into their groove for the week, many reflected on the history and heritage of this storied regatta.
“The legacy of Block Island Race Week is that it brings sailors together from all over,” remarked Rod Johnstone of J/Boats fame. He and his family have been sailing in BIRW since its inception in 1965. This year is Rod’s 23rd BIRW, and he has sailed in each one in a different J/Boats— this year aboard the J/99 JAZZ. Boats of various designs from the renowned designer now make up over half of the total boats in the BIRW fleet.
“Block Island is by far our favorite event, I describe it as an island getaway with 1,000 of your best friends,” says Mike Fillman of the J/80 PARTY TREE. Like many other competitors, Block Island itself plays a huge role in the regatta’s heritage for Filman and the PARTY TREE crew. “Our boat was native to Block Island and spent its summers in New Harbor on a mooring. The previous owner used it as a daysailer. In fact, a man sailed past us on a Laser and called out, ‘That’s my boat!’”
WednesdayThe Risk Strategies Race Day featured another day of champagne conditions and soaring temperatures. To give sailors a brief reprieve, the Race Committee called for an “early” end to racing (only 2 long races instead of 3), moved up the parties, and opened up the race village for some fun lay-day activities. However, the competition was still very much in full force.
ThursdayThe fourth day was both Mt. Gay Rum Day and the Regatta Craft Mixers Round The Island Race!
The breaking of the recent heatwave made for a fast and furious counter-clockwise lap past the Southeast Lighthouse, past the Mohegan Bluffs, around the 1BI buoy, and back into New Harbor.
“It was a great day on the water with big breeze,” added Jack McGuire, owner of J/88 DIRTY HARRY. He noted that his favorite part of the Round The Island Race is the way the currents change around the course. “If you’re not on it, you can go from a half mile ahead to a half mile behind in a minute.” He noted that the race always hinges on good tactics and solid strategy.
Why Block Island???Probably the most common answer to the question “What keeps you coming back to Block Island Race Week?” is “Sailing with my friends!”. Whether it’s bonds formed between sailors on the same crew or new and old friendly rivalries between boats, the camaraderie amongst the fleet at BIRW is something that sets this regatta apart.
“Every single dock is just packed and packed with racers,” said Conor O’Neil of the J/80 PARTY TREE. “You come back on shore and you ask other boats, ‘How was Blue Circle versus White Circle today?’” For him and his crew, one of the highlights of the regatta is stopping in for boat cocktails on the way to the tent party following the day’s racing. “Wall-to-wall fun with all the people you want to hang out with.”
For one team in particular, the strong connections formed through sailing this regatta have deep emotional meaning. The crew aboard TNT was sailing the J/105 in its eighth BIRW in memory of the boat’s previous owner, Mark Masur, who passed away in 2023. “We purchased the boat and decided we had to come back to Block Island,” remarked Greg Turman of the TNT crew. “The people here are just awesome,” he added, complimenting the gregarious and helpful spirit on the docks.
Bill Kneller, owner of the J/109 VENTO SOLARE, believes that the camaraderie that makes BIRW so special is not dulled by the fierce competition out on the water, even as the one-design class contests its East Coast Championship during the regatta. “The class always has a party at the house that Bob Schwartz from J/109 NORDLYS rents, where we all have a great time,” Kneller recalled. “One year, the owner of the house flew in with his helicopter and landed on the lawn to join the party!”
The spirits in the race village— anchored in friendship— were lifted even higher by the perennial favorite Regatta Craft Mixers Round The Island Race, which took place on Thursday. With heavier winds and cooler temperatures than earlier in the week, the distance race brought out spectators to the Island’s iconic bluffs, beaches, and lighthouses to catch a glimpse of the action.
FridayBlock Island Race Week’s final tent party was abuzz with anticipation and excitement Friday evening, as sailors and spectators awaited the announcement of cumulative awards for the regatta’s 60th anniversary. For the first time in recent memory, BIRW featured racing on all five days of the week, featuring fierce competition and extraordinary sailing.
“The Race Week and Storm Trysail team has had one signature focus: to make this the best week of everyone’s year,” said Race Chair Ty Anderson. “What we’re hearing and seeing is that we accomplished that, and everyone is already planning for 2027.”
“This regatta saw 140 races across 17 classes and multiple championship contests,” said Race Director Dick Neville. “The weather definitely cooperated, allowing our race management team to showcase the very best Block Island has to offer.”
The eyes of the sailing world were focused on Block Island this week as the ORC division held its inaugural North American Championship as part of BIRW. Across three classes, the ORC racing was characteristically intense.

ORC 3 DivisionWinning this division was Robin Team’s J/122 TEAMWORK, followed by Jeff Johnstone’s J/40 DOV.
“We have had a great week, and BIRW is one of our favorite regattas,” added TEAMWORL’s Robin Team. “Winning our class was the ultimate success— we were up against a lot of really good boats and ended up coming out on top. We’ve been sailing together as a crew for a long time, and I really think that’s the key. We don’t even really have to talk when going around marks. They know what to do and they do it well.”

Commenting on their silver medal performance, Jeff Johnstone on the J/40 DOV explained, “We launched our J/40 a few weeks before Block Island Race Week and had a great result out of the box at New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta (3rd in class). We then decided to jump into the deep end and compete on the ORC North Americans circle at Block Island Race Week, and see how an unmodified, cruise-equipped J/40 (with two heads, bow roller, windlass, roller furling, swim platform, etc.) could do against the top ORC boats. 10 races over 5 days, including 9 short windward-leewards, were both fun and a great test, and we couldn’t be happier with the 2nd place result. Our hats are off to Robin Team and his crew aboard the J/122 TEAMWORK, who sailed a great event and are the well-deserved ORC North American champions!”

J/105 East CoastsThe J/105 East Coast Championship featured the regatta’s largest championship fleet, with 17 competing vessels. Bill Zartler’s DEJA VOODOO— the Boat of the Week from 2023’s BIRW—captured first place for the third straight Race Week. “There must be something in the water here because the boat really likes it,” said owner Bill Zartler. “We’re happy with how we did, and this was a great, great event.” Deja Voodoo and crew were also awarded the A. Justin Wasley Memorial Trophy as the winners of the largest One-Design class.

J/109 East CoastsThe fight for the title in the J/109 East Coast Championship came down to the wire, with Dan Nash’s MISTRAL leading Sean McNeill and Rob Nye’s PICANTE by a single point going into Friday’s racing. In the end, MISTRAL won the week, posting two bullets in Friday’s races. “BIRW is an amazing experience to sail with my three boys, who are all recent college sailors,” said Nash. “They take over the boat, and I just listen and have a great time.”

J/44 North AmericansChris Lewis on board DIGGER won the J/44 North American Championship with a dominant performance in that one-design fleet. The Brit-turned-Texan chartered the local legendary J/44 for the week. “This was a very successful week for us; we consolidated an early lead from day 1,” Lewis remarked. “We are very much a teamwork boat with 11 crew, so everyone really has to work together.”
In addition to announcing class winners, BIRW’s various trophies were awarded at Friday’s tent party. The regatta’s most prestigious award, the Everett B. Morris Perpetual Trophy, is awarded to the yacht with the best overall performance as judged by the Race Committee and the commodore of the Storm Trysail Club. The 2025 honor went to BRAVO, a J/111 racing in the Performance Cruising 1 class and owned by Andrew and Sedge Ward.
“Sailing BIRW with my dad, who is 92 years old, is just an incredible experience,” said Andrew Ward. “Taking home the Boat of the Week honors is just icing on an already astounding cake.”
John Storck, Jr.’s J/130 BLITZEN was awarded the Isbrandtsen Overall Perpetual Trophy for the best performance by a predominantly Corinthian-sailed boat. Storck remarked earlier in the week that a highlight of every BIRW he has sailed has been sharing the experience with his dearest family members.
A week that started with a day one wind delay and three days of scorching heat and humidity yielded to heavier breezes and a slightly more agitated sea state by the later days of racing. However, sailors across all three marinas hosting the fleet commented on the “champagne” and “Chamber of Commerce” conditions for which Block Island is known.
For 60 years, BIRW has benefited from the warm hospitality of the Island and its residents. Once again, Champlin’s Marina and Resort hosted the race village, tent parties, and dozens of competing boats. “We always look forward to having Race Week here,” said General Manager Ryann Liguori. “It’s a really exciting time for the Island’s community and my team here at Champlin’s.”
Following each of the five days of racing, sailors and their friends and family celebrated the day’s accomplishments under the tent, at their crew houses, and in the local establishments around New Shoreham. Race Week is known for its friendly environment, competitive racing, and exuberant celebrations. This year’s regatta lived up to that reputation and left veterans and newcomers alike counting the days until the next BIRW in June of 2027.

This past week was a global celebration of sailing, featuring family victories and World Championship glory. It showcased the incredible depth and diversity of the global J/Sailing community. From the storied shores of Porto Santo Stefano in Italy to the brisk freshwater of Kingston, Ontario, in Canada and the salty air of Block Island offshore of Rhode Island, sailors of all ages, backgrounds, and ambitions came together for a series of events that captured the heart of the sport.
In Italy, the Lamaro family’s J/40 PALINURO brought Olympic pedigree and heartfelt teamwork to the forefront, stealing the spotlight at the PasquaVela Regatta. Meanwhile, on Lake Garda (that famous lake in northern Italy), the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship marked a bold new chapter in inclusive competition, drawing Olympians and emerging talent alike… including a record turnout of 125 women sailors as both skippers and crew!
Across the Atlantic, Block Island Race Week delivered its classic mix of tactical challenges and shoreside camaraderie, with J/Teams dominating the podiums in both one-design and handicap racing. And in iconic sailing hubs like Cowes, Long Beach, and Hamburg, the energy remained electric as women’s regattas, doublehanded duels, and national championships further highlighted the passion and power of the international J/fleet.
It was a stretch of racing defined not just by results, but by resilience, reinvention, and remarkable spirit—on every course, in every corner of the world.

How the Lamaro Family’s J/40 PALINURO Eclipsed the PasquaVela Regatta 2025
(Porto Santo Stefano, Italy)- As a backgrounder, the owner/ skipper of the new J/40 PALINURO in Italy is Gianluca Lamaro. He is an experienced sailor that includes participating in two sailing Olympics (Los Angeles and Seoul), has a world bronze medal in the Soling class in Anzio 1981, and many more titles. We hope you enjoy this article about Gianluca and his family team. The writer is Roberto Perrone Capano from the Lega Navale Italiano newsletter. 

 
“For starters, Gianluca is just shy of 70, but his energy, intellect, speed, and competitive enthusiasm are those of a young man. Born in 1956, Neapolitan by birth, now with five active, passionate children:
– Pietro, son number 3, is the first tailer and was an under-21 and Series A rugby national. 
– Michele, son number 4, is the captain of the Italian National Rugby team, and flanker for Benetton Treviso… he’s good at grinding winches or jumping spinnaker halyards
– Paolino, son number 5, is the rigger and bowman of PALINURO. 
– Margaux and Francesco are missing, but also enthusiastic sailors. 
 
How can you say no to yet another experience with Gianluca and his Lamaro family? The reasons are explained below.
 
We have known each other since I was 8 years old, 11 years for him. As neighbors and daily companions, we enjoyed soccer games in the courtyard at the Parco Grifeo 40 in Naples, overlooking the gulf. We often played with two of his younger brothers, Stefano, now a surgeon, and Peppe, a Qatar Airlines pilot. We were both born under the stubborn sign of Scorpio, but with characters as different as they are compatible. Read more here.

Spain’s YUPI Crowned J/70 Mixed-Plus World Champions!

(Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy)- The debut of the J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship took place last week on Lake Garda, Italy, for a fleet of 47 teams. Hosting the sailors off the gorgeous lakeside village of Torbole was the Circolo della Vela Torbole. 
The fleet from 18 nations (AUS, BRA, CYP, DEN, ESP, FRA, GBR, GER, JPN, HUN, ITA, MON, NED, POL, SWE, SUI, & USA) reflected the success of this inclusive and competitive format. The event brought together an elite mix of sailors: Olympic medalists, world-class professionals, rising talents, and skilled amateur teams, all racing under simple, accessible rules that define the Mixed Plus category. In fact, there were 25 Olympians amongst the sailors on the teams, some of them very famous sailors. Coincidentally,  there was a record number of 125 women participants as skippers and crew!  Read more here.

J/112E Pair Silver @ IRC UK Nationals

(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The 2025 IRC National Championship, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta, brought together over 50 IRC-rated boats for three days of competitive inshore racing in the Solent. 
With 21 of the 30 yachts entered in the 2025 Admiral’s Cup expected to compete, this year’s IRC Nationals had teams racing from all over the world, bristling with elite sailors from the Olympics, America’s Cup, and round-the-world races. The fleet will include a broad range of designs racing in four IRC Classes— from Quarter Tonners to grand-prix One Designs and IRC-optimized custom builds.  Read more here.

J/Teams Rock Block Island Race Week!

J/111 BRAVO Awarded Everett B Morris Trophy, J/122 TEAMWORK Wins ORC NA’s D3!(Block Island, RI)- This year’s Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week featured a diversity of weather challenges all week long; from clear sunny “shorts & shades” glamma days to grey, cool, ugly, drizzly days to keep everyone honest. In the end, numerous J/Teams filled up the leaderboard, garnering a lion’s share of the silverware across several PHRF/ ORC handicap divisions as well as strong participation in one-design classes for J/88s, J/105 East Coast Championships, J/44 North Americans, and J/109s sailing in their East Coast Championships. Here is how it all went down over the five-day regatta.. Read more here.

SKELETON KEY Leading J/111 SoCal Series
(Long Beach, CA)- The first-ever J/111 Pacific Coast Championship was held last weekend at Long Beach Race Week. It was a great momentum builder for the class in Southern California. This was the third event in the J/111 SoCal One-Design Circuit, which was a big success (the other two events were the San Diego Yachting Cup and Cal Race Week).
In the end, it was Peter Wagner’s SKELETON Key that was declared the overall winner with three firsts over the three events to finish with just 3 pts. The series silver medal was determined by a tiebreaker at 9 pts each. Marty Vogel’s MADMEN with a 5-2-2 series won the countback over John Staff’s OBSIDIAN with all 3rds! 
In the eight J/111s that participated, rounding out the top five were Steve Flam’s FLAMBOUYANT and Dan McGanty’s J-BOSS in fourth and fifth, respectively. Read more here.

Challenging Chicago Sailing World Regatta
(Chicago, IL)- As they’ve done enthusiastically for years, the Chicago Yacht Club and its army of volunteers rolled out the proverbial red carpet for hundreds of sailors for the three-day weekend Chicago Sailing World Regatta presented by HELLY HANSEN. The regatta featured one-design classes for J/70s, J/88 Great Lakes Championship, J/109 Great Lakes Championship, and J/105s. In addition, there were J/Crews that enjoyed the offshore events for both ORC and PHRF handicap divisions… Read more here.

J/70s & J/80s Enjoy Famous Kingston Sailing Weather!

(Kingston, Ontario, Canada)- In preparation for the 2026 J/80 North Americans and J/80 Worlds regattas in July next year, CORK/ Sail Kingston, in collaboration with the J/80 North American Class Association, hosted a 3-day “test event” regatta in Kingston, Canada on June 27-29. Most notably, the regatta was employing the Vakaros RaceSense starting system – a first for J/80’s in North America.
A dozen J/80’s and a slightly smaller fleet on J/70’s from fleets across eastern Canada and northeastern US enjoyed three spectacular sailing days with a total of eight races run in the champagne sailing conditions that Kingston, “the freshwater sailing capital of the world”, is known for. Read more here.

LA SUPERBA Crowned XLIV Italian J/24 Champion- for 11th time!

(Lerici, Italy)- With the award ceremony, the curtain fell on the 2025 edition of the Italian J/24 Championship for the twenty-four J/24 teams from across Italy, well organized by the delegation of the FIV (Federazione Italiano de Vela) and the Circolo della Vela Erix.
Divided into three days of competition – characterized by strong Mistral winds in the first two and a weaker one in the final one – and eight hard-fought and challenging races held in the waters of Lerici, the 2025 Italian Championship was a great success. Read more here.