Month: October 2025

(Spiez, Switzerland)- The Yacht Club Spiez in Spiez, Switzerland, will again be hosting fourteen women’s teams on Lake Thun for the 2025 edition of the Heidi Cup. Like their colleagues in Scandinavia, the women’s sailing circuit in Switzerland continues to grow quite strongly. The big question is how teams that fared well in the 2024 season continue their winning ways.
In the 2024 Swiss Women’s Sailing League finale, the top five were Thunersee Yacht Club, Zürcher Segel Club, Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, and Club Nautique Morgien. Then, in the final women’s regatta of the summer season, the Heidi Cup on Lake Thun, the top five were Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, Segelclub Oberer Zurichsee, Cercle de la Voile Vevey, and Cercle de la Voile d’Estavayer.
Most of those teams are present for the 2025 edition of the Heidi Cup! That should make for interesting matchups and tactics as each team goes through the round-robins as they sail each flight against different teams. Regattaclub Obrerhofen has consistently strong teams, led again by top women helm Lisa Thonen. The same holds true for Regattclub Bodensee with their top women helm, Livia Naef. Also, a consistent contender should be Thunersee Yachtclub’s skipper, Sophia Mosegaard. Time will tell how these teams succeed on the tricky Lake Thunersee!
Follow the Swiss J/70 Women’s Heidi Cup regatta on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/swisssailingleague
For Swiss J/70 Women’s Results on Manage2Sail.comhttps://www.manage2sail.com/en-US/event/45859359-8625-43ce-a207-61a749cf031b#!/
For more Swiss J/70 Women’s Heidi Cup sailing informationhttps://swiss-sailing-league.ch/
#J70 #HeidiCup #WomensSailing #SwissSailing #LakeThun #YachtClubSpiez #SailingRegatta #Switzerland

(Barcelona, Spain)- Luis Bugallo’s MARNATURA, from the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, was crowned champion of the J/70 Spanish Cup, held last weekend in the waters off Barcelona.
The event, which brought together seventeen teams from three nations (Spain, Germany, and Hungary), was held in conjunction with the second round of the J/70 Barcelona Winter Series, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.
Over three intense days, crews from the Canary Islands, Galicia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, and other parts of Europe put on a top-level performance, completing nine of the twelve scheduled races.
Three days of closely-contested racingThe opening day on Friday began with overcast skies and light southeasterly winds of 5 to 7 knots. Bodegas Can Marlès started leading the standings (1-1-7), followed by Luis Martín Cabiedes NOTICIA (RCN Barcelona), and the HSN Sailing Team.
On Saturday, with sunshine and a steady southeasterly wind up to 15 knots, four races were completed that changed the course of the standings. MARNATURA was the star of the day with impressive results (1-1-2-1) that took them to the provisional lead, followed by NOTICIA and HSN Sailing Team.
Sunday dawned with overcast skies and light showers. With a 12-knot westerly wind shifting to the southwest and weakening, two races were raced before the third had to be canceled due to a lack of wind. MARNATURA won the first and finished 13th in the second, a result they could discard to secure the title. The final podium was completed by NOTICIA (2nd) and Luis Pérez Canal’s ABRIL VERDE (3rd).

In the Corinthian category, MARNATURA also took the victory, followed by ABRIL VERDE and HANG TEN, second and third respectively.
Technological Innovation and Organizational SuccessThe Spanish J/70 Cup also served as a successful test of the VAKAROS RaceSense starting system, tools that will be key in the J/70 European Championship, which the RCNB will organize in Barcelona in July 2026.
“We wanted to test this system with a large fleet ahead of the J/70 European Championship, and it has been a complete success. The RaceSense beacons make race course management much easier: there’s no more pinging of starting marks, general recalls are avoided, and everything is much faster. When the wind picks up, a race can be set up in minutes. It is a major step forward for the club, the fleet, and the season. It’s an unbeatable start to a season that will culminate with the J/70 European Championship in July 2026,” said Luis Martín Cabiedes, owner of NOTICIA and member of the RCNB Sports Commission.
Follow J/70 Barcelona Winter Series on Facebook herehttps://www.facebook.com/rcnbarcelona
For more J/70 Barcelona Winter Series sailing informationhttp://www.barcelonawinterseries.com

(San Francisco, CA)- The South Beach Yacht Club on the southern part of San Francisco Bay hosted its 13th annual Red Bra Regatta 2025. The event was all about fun and supporting other women. Specifically, the regatta supported “Girls United” for the seventh year this September!
Girls United for KenyaGirls United is an amazing organization that organizes clubs and student-led advocacy for girls in Kenya, as well as training female teachers to be role models for these girls.
Run out of Flying Kites Academies, Girls United empowers young women in many ways, including skill-building workshops as well as providing access to information on important topics like reproductive health. The aims of Girls United are clearly aligned with those of the Red Bra Regatta and its motto- “Empowered Women Empowering Women.”
This year, we ask that you give any amount that feels meaningful to you- no amount is too small. If you want to further increase your impact, you can share this on your page. Let’s keep empowering each other!
Please consider a donation…remember, empowered women empower women! https://www.gofundme.org/projects/flying-kites-2/
Follow Flying Kites on Facebook herehttps://www.facebook.com/flyingkitesglobal

Many passionate women J/sailors participated in the event and, while having fun, they also managed to win some silverware! In fact, they swept the podium in both divisions that had J/Boats sailing in them! Here’s the outcome of their efforts.
PHRF F Division- Spin

49 Teams, 384 Sailors, 120 Volunteers, 1 Nor’easter!(Larchmont, NY)- The 2025 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR), presented by ShopRite of Carteret, organized by the Storm Trysail Club, and supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation, welcomed 49 teams and 384 collegiate sailors for a weekend of spirited big boat racing. Notably, 34 of the boats were passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!!
Teams arrived Friday to find cool fall conditions as they took to the water for practice aboard boats generously donated by local owners. Some of those boats were delivered that morning from as far away as New Jersey — their owners bundled up in layers for the trip north.
Adapting to the Nor’easterGiven the forecast of a significant nor’easter on Sunday, organizers made the early call on Friday to cancel Sunday racing for the safety of the sailors and boats. The first warning signal on Saturday was moved up one hour to capitalize on the favorable conditions expected before the storm.
Saturday dawned gray and wet, but the rain soon eased and the breeze built steadily throughout the day. Thanks to the efficient work of the Race Committee and the addition of two race circles this year, an impressive six races were completed across six classes — four PHRF divisions, J/105s, and J/109s.
Onshore Camaraderie and CommunityOff the water, sailors were treated to dinners at Larchmont Yacht Club on both Friday and Saturday evenings, complete with the chance to connect with fellow competitors from 19 states and three Canadian provinces. On Sunday morning, teams gathered on the LYC lawn for a group photo and the awards ceremony before heading home ahead of the approaching gale.

PHRF Large DivisionThis half-dozen boat fleet almost had a clean sweep by J/Teams! In the end, it was Clemson Sailing Team’s J/111 SUMMER STORM, led by skipper Antonio Priskich, that won the division with a record of 1-2-1-4-3-1 for 12 pts. Then, taking the bronze medal was the University of Rhode Island Rams Sailing team’s J/44 PALANTIR 5, led by skipper Adam Strobridge, that posted an enviable 3-1-2-7-1-3 scoreline for 17 pts.
Owner June Kendrick, who donated PALANTIR 5 to sail with the University of Rhode Island team, reminded everyone of the event’s spirit of generosity: “We donate our boats to give back to the sport. It’s inspiring to see so many young sailors learning offshore sailing the right way.”

PHRF Medium DivisionThis seven-boat fleet featured three J teams. RIT on the J/120 M-SQUARED and Western Michigan on the J/120 DUET ended up finishing 4th and 5th, respectively. Just behind in sixth was the J/112E REBELLE, sailed by Northeastern University, and the J/124 TENEBRAE, sailed by the University of Maryland, was seventh.

PHRF Small DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet saw Webb Institute, with skipper Calvin Schmid, sailing their modified J/105 SLEEPER to the division win with a 3-2-4-1-3-3 tally for 16 pts. Third place went to the J/99 SAVE THE SOUND, sailed by Grand Valley’s sailing team and led by skipper Garrett Szlachta. Fourth place was the University of Vermont, skippered by Marco Welch, sailing the J/88 ONE TOO MANY.

J/105 ClassAs anticipated, the College of Charleston on KESTREL was declared the Winner Overall (Hoffman Trophy) and Winner of the inaugural Callisto Cup (top team in both IOR regattas- Chicago & Larchmont). The Charleston’s J/105 team, led by skipper John Polek, topped their class with an impressive record of four firsts and two seconds in a highly competitive 12-boat fleet. Winning skipper John Polek reflected on the victory, “We had success this weekend from lots of preparation, which really made a noticeable difference. We were able to execute maneuvers that other teams couldn’t — such as gybe sets in the last three races that extended our leads. This was a new team with three sophomores and two freshmen, so we really had to work for every inch. Having our assistant coach, Justin Walling, with us at the event kept us sharp. As Ned Goss tells us, ‘Firetrucks don’t stop at red lights,’ which reminds me to push for every opportunity. It feels great to be the first name on the Callisto Cup. I’m proud of my teammates and excited for what’s next for the Charleston Varsity Offshore Team.”
Among the many stories of the weekend was the debut of the Harvard College sailing team, a powerhouse in dinghy racing, but new to the offshore scene. Skipper Xavier Ayala-Vermont led the team to an impressive second place in the J/105 class behind Charleston. They sailed impressively well, compiling a 3-1-1-2-5-2 record for 14 pts.
Commenting on his team’s performance, he said, “This was our first regatta sailing together — none of us had ever raced a J/105 before. All credit to the crew. Harvard doesn’t have an offshore team yet, but this was a huge step toward building one with alumni support. The IOR was an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to be back next year!”
Rounding out the podium in third place was the Olin College team, with Owen Himsworth skippering. Their team sailed a strong series, posting a 2-7-6-3-3-3 tally for 24 pts.

J/109 ClassWinner of the J/109 class and second overall recipient of the Puff Trophy was Brown University with a blistering scoreline of five 1st and one 2nd for 7 pts. Commanding the Brown team was skipper Daniel van Heeckeren. He commented on their performance, “I would say this win is a team win. A major part of our success comes from the talent and competition throughout the whole of the Brown University Sailing Team, where every day at practice, we get pushed to become the best sailors we can be. Also, to our coaches, John Mollicone and Cam Giblin, for everything they’ve done for our team. IOR for us is the culmination of our keelboat regattas in the fall and is what we look towards every year — and we look forward to coming back.”
Taking the silver medal was a “local” team on the western Long Island Sound, SUNY Maritime. Their skipper, Robert Wieczorek, led his SUNY team to a 4-1-3-3-5-2 record for 18 pts. Then, following them on the podium to take the bronze medal was the UCONN Sailing team, led by skipper Chris Bullock. They sailed a consistent regatta with finishes of 2-3-26-4.4-6 for 23.4 pts total.
Great Feedback and GratefulnessBy Monday morning, IOR’s Instagram had surpassed 300,000 views over the weekend, with many of the teams sharing photos from event photographer Steve Cloutier and expressing their gratitude to the organizers, boat owners, volunteers, Race Committee, and their own teammates and coaches. The outpouring of appreciation across social media captured the true spirit of the event — teamwork, sportsmanship, and community.
Gratitude to Sponsors and VolunteersThe Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta is 100% free for all teams and sailors — made possible through the generosity of boat owners, volunteers, the Storm Trysail Foundation, and sponsors.
This year’s Title Sponsor, ShopRite of Carteret, once again demonstrated its dedication to supporting the next generation of offshore sailors. The event was also proudly supported by returning sponsors Helly Hansen, Carlsberg, McMichael Yachts, UK Sailmakers, Dimension-Polyant, Gifted of Larchmont, Lemon & Line, and Race Engineering.
Ahead of the event, Storm Trysail Club members and IOR alumni Charlie Enright (Brown), Jesse Fielding (URI), and Erica Lush (BU) shared their advice for the next generation of sailors in a pre-race video.
Watch on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPo4ON7CdW7/
Sailing photo credits- Steve Cloutier (@BlockIslandSteve on Instagram)
For STC Intercollegiate Regatta resultshttps://www.yachtscoring.com/event_scratch_sheet/50498
For more Storm Trysail Club’s Intercollegiate Regatta sailing informationhttps://stormtrysail.org/regattas/intercollegiate-regatta/

(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent.
Day One- ThursdayThe results from day one showed a wide variance among entrants, led by James Buley of San Diego, CA, on LE TIGRE, who posted scores of 1-2 for an early advantage of 3 points. The breeze started quite promising on Lake Pontchartrain, with winds in the mid-teens. Buley’s LE TIGRE took the bullet, ahead of Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, and John Van Landeghem’s FUJIMO.
Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD, landed second-place on the day after another podium finish in race two (5 points overall). The wind backed off in that contest, but sailors had to endure the lingering chop. Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, earned that race win, with Buley and Wittig rounding out the top group. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER holds third overall with 6 points.
Day Two- FridayIt was a gorgeous day on the water. Four races were completed, and although the discard came into effect, the top of the leaderboard remained unchanged with James Buley’s LE TIGRE in the lead.
The day began with a strong ENE wind of about 15 knots, when Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, Balich’s OVERACHIEVER, and Mark Backus’ COOL J led the 21-boat fleet across the line. For Friday’s next race, the breeze moderated slightly but was still around 10-12 knots with plenty of Lake Pontchartrain chop. Racers battled through close mark roundings, and it was Buley’s LE TIGRE who mastered the conditions, along with Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH and DJ Bolyard’s FUJIMO. Race 6 saw a little less chop and a steady wind around 12-15 knots still from the ENE. Buley’s LE TIGRE earned their second consecutive bullet, as Wittig was again runner-up, plus Chris Wientjes’ NEAUX NAME in third. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER closed the day victoriously, while Buley’s LE TIGRE flipped to second, and John Haverstock’s ROGUES ROOST third.
Day Three- SaturdayDaniel Wittig’s Turbo Sloth made a statement on day three of the J/80 North American Championship with two victories in two races. Sunshine and a steady 10-12 knots of breeze out of the ENE greeted the 21 teams Saturday at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, LA. Wittig, of Annapolis, MD, spent the initial two days in the runner-up position to James Buley’s LE TIGRE, but with eight races now in the books, it’s Wittig’s turn to top the leaderboard. Racing will conclude Sunday, as Wittig holds a three-point advantage over Buley (12 points to 15). Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER maintained their bronze position, now with 20 points.
Following Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH in Saturday’s opening match were Mark Backus’ COOL J and Balich’s OVERACHIEVER. And in race eight, Wittig secured the regatta lead with a win over John Haverstock’s ROGUES ROOST and Buley’s LE TIGRE.
Day Four- SundayThe regatta came to a nail-biting conclusion on Sunday. With the final two races on the docket, the Championship became a battle between Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD, and James Buley’s LE TIGRE of San Diego, CA. Wittig had a three-point advantage after eight races.
Early conditions saw 10 knots of ENE breeze and less chop than previous days, as Jason Balich’s OVERACHIVER won race nine of the Championship, and Buley’s LE TIGRE was second. The breeze eased down to 7 knots, but AP was displayed during the Race 10 starting sequence due to a big left shift at the bottom of the course. Race Committee adjusted, and following a general recall, the 21-boat fleet took off for the final showdown. Buley’s LE TIGRE secured the bullet, clawing their way to the title on a tiebreaker at 18 points, as Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH placed second in the last race and overall. The crew of LE TIGRE included Eric Doyle, Jackson Benvenutti, and Bill Hardesty. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, was in the hunt all week and finished third at 24 points.

Top Five:1. LE TIGRE- James Buley- 1-2-5-1-1-2-[10]-3-2-1- 18 pts2. TURBO SLOT- Daniel Wittig- 2-3-1-2-2-4-1-1-[5]-2- 18 pts3. OVERACHIEVER- Jason Balich- [5]-1-2-4-4-1-3-5-1-3- 24 pts4. FUJIMO- DJ Bolyard- 3-4-4-3-6-[15]-4-6-4-5- 39 pts5. ROGUES ROOST- John Haverstock- 4-6-[14]-5-8-3-5-2-6-6- 45 pts
For J/80 North American Championship resultshttps://www.regattanetwork.com/event/29407
Photos on J/80 North American Class Association Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581408401885

As autumn deepens across the northern hemisphere, the J/Community finds itself at a crossroads — one part wrapping up championship season, another already looking ahead to winter adventures. The past few weeks have offered a striking snapshot of the sport’s reach and vitality: from New Orleans to Barcelona, Annapolis to San Francisco, sailors continue to chase excellence in every corner of the map.In the deep South, LE TIGRE roared to victory at the J/80 North American Championship in New Orleans, while across the Atlantic, MARNATURA captured the J/70 Spanish Cup after a fiercely contested regatta in Barcelona. Collegiate sailors brought their own energy to the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta in Larchmont — a weekend that saw 49 teams, 384 sailors, one massive nor’easter, and more than a few soggy smiles.This week’s stories also shine a light on the diversity and depth of the “J” sailing world: from the women-led Red Bra Regatta in San Francisco and the upcoming Heidi Cup on Lake Thun, to the international Masters Regatta in San Diego and the enduring East Coast Championships for J/22s and J/24s in Annapolis. Offshore, the horizon widens further— from Malta’s legendary Rolex Middle Sea Race in the Mediterranean to the ever-popular J/Fest Southwest in Texas, both drawing fleets that reflect the same spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the class.And as the northern winds start to bite, the J/70 Winter Series calendar is already heating up— with sailors setting their sights on warmer waters in Florida, Monaco, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey, and beyond. Whether it’s a winter escape or serious training for next year’s championships, there’s always another adventure waiting just over the horizon.Speaking of adventures, be sure to read about the on-going odyssey of the J/46 SWEET RUCA in the J/Community section below. A couple and their dog embarked on the world cruise of a lifetime; starting in Newport, then Maine, then Caribbean, then cross Atlantic to the Azores/ Canaries, south trans-Atlantic to Puerto Williams and Cape Horn, north up through Chile’s Patagonia, and now the South Pacific. It’s an epic journey and the blog is a great read!From championship triumphs to charity regattas, from collegiate fleets to seasoned masters, this season’s stories remind us that J/sailing never really stops — it simply changes hemispheres! Wherever you find yourself sailing next, here’s to fair winds, warm friendships, and a season that continues to inspire.

LE TIGRE Roars to J/80 North American Championship!(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent. READ MORE HERE.

MARNATURA Wins J/70 Spanish Cup(Barcelona, Spain)- Luis Bugallo’s MARNATURA, from the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, was crowned champion of the J/70 Spanish Cup, held last weekend in the waters off Barcelona.The event, which brought together seventeen teams from three nations (Spain, Germany, and Hungary), was held in conjunction with the second round of the J/70 Barcelona Winter Series, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.Over three intense days, crews from the Canary Islands, Galicia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, and other parts of Europe put on a top-level performance, completing nine of the twelve scheduled races. READ MORE HERE.

College of Charleston Crowned STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Champions!49 Teams, 384 Sailors, 120 Volunteers, and 1 Nor’easter(Larchmont, NY)- The 2025 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR), presented by ShopRite of Carteret, organized by the Storm Trysail Club, and supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation, welcomed 49 teams and 384 collegiate sailors for a weekend of spirited big boat racing. Notably, 34 of the boats were passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!!Teams arrived Friday to find cool fall conditions as they took to the water for practice aboard boats generously donated by local owners. Some of those boats were delivered that morning from as far away as New Jersey — their owners bundled up in layers for the trip north.Adapting to the Nor’easterGiven the forecast of a significant nor’easter on Sunday, organizers made the early call on Friday to cancel Sunday racing for the safety of the sailors and boats. The first warning signal on Saturday was moved up one hour to capitalize on the favorable conditions expected before the storm. READ MORE HERE.

Women J/Crews Love The 13th Red Bra Regatta (San Francisco, CA)- The South Beach Yacht Club on the southern part of San Francisco Bay hosted its 13th annual Red Bra Regatta 2025. The event was all about fun and supporting other women. Specifically, the regatta supported “Girls United” for the seventh year this September! Girls United for KenyaGirls United is an amazing organization that organizes clubs and student-led advocacy for girls in Kenya, as well as training female teachers to be role models for these girls. Run out of Flying Kites Academies, Girls United empowers young women in many ways, including skill-building workshops as well as providing access to information on important topics like reproductive health. The aims of Girls United are clearly aligned with those of the Red Bra Regatta and its motto- “Empowered Women Empowering Women.”  READ MORE HERE.

Swiss J/70 HEIDI CUP Preview(Spiez, Switzerland)- The Yacht Club Spiez in Spiez, Switzerland, will again be hosting fourteen women’s teams on Lake Thun for the 2025 edition of the Heidi Cup. Like their colleagues in Scandinavia, the women’s sailing circuit in Switzerland continues to grow quite strongly. The big question is how teams that fared well in the 2024 season continue their winning ways.  In the 2024 Swiss Women’s Sailing League finale, the top five were Thunersee Yacht Club, Zürcher Segel Club, Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, and Club Nautique Morgien. Then, in the final women’s regatta of the summer season, the Heidi Cup on Lake Thun, the top five were Regattaclub Oberhofen, Regattaclub Bodensee, Segelclub Oberer Zurichsee, Cercle de la Voile Vevey, and Cercle de la Voile d’Estavayer..  READ MORE HERE.

Don Trask J/105 Masters Regatta 2025 Preview(San Diego, CA)- The 43rd running of the Don Trask Masters Regatta returns to San Diego Yacht Club October 20-22, 2023. This year’s slate of twelve competitors brings together a truly international cast of Master skippers from Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United States. Over the three days of racing, teams will compete using chartered J/105s in a round-robin format in South San Diego Bay.Historically, this invitation-only regatta has attracted some of the world’s best master sailors, including iconic names like Elvstrom, Buchan, Burnham, Tillman, Trask, Irish, Harken, North, and Holland (just to name a few). This year is no exception.  READ MORE HERE.

J/24 & J/22 East Coast Championship Preview(Annapolis, MD)- It’s that time of year again when the annual fall East Coast Championships for J/22s and J/24s takes place on the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted for the 47th time by the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, MD, the fleet of thirty-four J/24s and fourteen J/22s is looking forward to another weekend of fun & frolic sailing off the mouth of the Severn River. Back in the pandemic year of 2020, Sam McGuire was interviewed by Sail-World.com’s David Schmidt, himself an avid J/24 sailor in the Pacific Northwest J/24 fleet in Seattle. Sam offered a great perspective on the meaning of this regatta for members of the J/24 community. “Fall can be a bittersweet time for East Coast sailors. Winter isn’t far over the horizon, yet fall brings cooler temperatures, markedly less humidity, and some of the year’s best breeze and racing conditions. This is especially true for the Chesapeake Bay, where the J/22 and J/24 East Coast Championships, which are being organized by the Severn Sailing Association, U.S. J/24 Fleet 8, and U.S. J/22 Fleet 19, are set to unfurl on the waters near the mouth of the Severn River.  READ MORE HERE.

ROLEX Middle Sea Race Preview(Gzira, Malta)- The 46th ROLEX Middle Sea Race, which starts on Saturday, 18 October 2025, has amassed a fleet of 118 yachts. The entrants represent thirty countries and territories: from Australia and New Zealand to Finland and Norway, and from the United States to Romania. It is an outstanding, wide-ranging, and highly competitive fleet. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and its race organizing committee are thrilled with the continued enthusiasm shown for this classic race.“The Royal Malta Yacht Club is truly delighted to welcome such a diverse and talented fleet to this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race,” said Commodore Mark Napier. “This October promises an extraordinary international gathering, ready to take on one of the world’s most captivating race courses. We look forward to extending our renowned Maltese hospitality and, together with our partners, creating an unforgettable experience for every crew.” Several J/Teams are participating in the race.  READ MORE HERE.

J/Fest Southwest Regatta 2025 Preview(Houston, TX)- The J/Fest Southwest Regatta is celebrating its 15th Year in 2025 and is one of the most popular regattas for J/Boat owners across the region. It welcomes all J/Boats, including J/22, J/24, J/70, J/105, J/ORC, J/PHRF, and J/Cruise classes. The regatta features strong competition, a festive atmosphere, and draws participants from both near and far, with diverse J/Boat fleets represented. Here are the currently registered teams looking forward to a fun weekend sailing on Galveston Bay. READ MORE HERE.

J/70 Winter Calendar Announcement(Newport, RI)- As the northern hemisphere cools off, the J/70 calendar heats up all around the world. Whether you’re looking to escape the cold for a warmer weather weekend or training for the big show next year, now’s the time to set your schedule. The J/70 Class continues to grow across continents, and these winter regattas offer the perfect chance to sail in warm weather all around the world all year long! What a concept, a true “bucket list” class to sail in! Where will you be sailing this season? Here’s a look at some of the upcoming racing.  READ MORE HERE.

The J/46 SWEET RUCA’s AdventuresThis is an ongoing story about a couple that bought a J/46 and, with little offshore experience, decided they wanted to sail around the world. The crew consists of Kate, Curtis, and Roxy the dog. Their introduction is quite amusing. “One day we woke up, saw a boat on the Internet (the J/46), and in less than 24 hours, we had the winning bid!! Kate and I purchased the boat in January 2019 with the intention of refitting her and sailing her around the world. We sold our house, left Ohio, and moved onto the boat in Newport, Rhode Island, in July 2019. That’s before the global Covid-19 pandemic!”Since then, this American couple from the Midwest has had quite the adventure cruising around the world on SWEET RUKA. Here is the short story of their travels to date. READ MORE HERE. 

J/Gear HOLIDAY Special- 20% off!(Newport, RI)- We’re offering the J/Holiday Special from October through November 15th, 2025! 20% off on ALL orders!But the 1/2 hull models are exempt from this offer.Order early to ensure a Happy Holidays delivery!Holiday discount coupon:  JB2025HSFor any clothing, hats, blankets, and so forth, choose your J/Class logo and customize with boat name and sail number as an option. Browse all products here on the J/GEAR website:https://jgear.vsport.biz

(Porto Maurizio, Italy)- In the southern parts of the island of Sardinia, one is struck by the sheer magnificence of the large mountains that form the geography of the seashore, unlike the north shore, which is relatively rocky and flat. Nestled in a cozy harbor flanked by those mountains is Porto Maurizio and the Yacht Club Porto Maurizio. This past weekend, the YC Porto Maurizio and their passionate volunteers hosted a fleet of twenty-five boats from all over Italy and Europe (including France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, Turkey, Monaco, Poland, and Austria). The YCPM Race Committee/ PRO team was up to the challenge to provide world-class racing to the equally passionate sailors assembled for the Italian J/70 National Championship. They managed to run eight races over the three-day event.

The regatta turned into a four-way battle for the podium, with just four points separating them at the conclusion of racing on Sunday. Winning their first major Italian J/70 regatta was Yann Inghilesi’s CICLONE team (Niccolo Bianchi, Stefano Angeloni, and Carlo Fracassoli) with a total of 32 pts net. As a measure of how tough the competition was, CICLONE managed only four podium finishes in eight races! Their record of 11-2-1-8-1-12-3-6 had a discard of a 12th.
Earning the silver medal was a perennial winner in the Italian J/70 class and a long-time veteran, Luca Domenici’s NOTARO TEAM. His familiar crew included Diego Negri, Michele Mennuti, and Davide Bortoletto. Reflecting the winners’ difficulties in getting top finishes, Domenici’s team managed only ONE podium finish with a 2nd! They were not immune to double-digit finishes either. Their tally of 7-5-4-6-7-4-16-2 had a discard of their 16th for a total net of 35 pts, just 3 pts behind the winner!
The bronze medal was an even closer fight between two teams- Gully Guryel’s Turkish team on DENIZCIK and the Italian Mauro Roversi’s J-CURVE. Tied at 36 pts net each, it was Guryel’s DENIZCIK team (Massimo Bortoletto, Ali Tezdiker, and Lorenzo Bressani) that won the countback in the tiebreaker process over Roversi’s J-CURVE team (Giulia Albuzio, Filippo Amontillado, Stefano Cherin, and Giulia Conti).
Rounding out the top five was the Swedish team of Filip Engelbert on ELVIS with 46 pts net. The ELVIS team included Jakob Gustafsson, Jimmy Hellberg, and Marcus Hollander.
Corinthians DivisionThe veterans on the British team CALYPSO, skippered by Ali Hall (crew of Jon Calascione, David Kohler, and Benno Marstaller), won the Corinthians division by just three points. Taking the silver medal was Denis Infante’s French team on EURO-VOILES of Joyet Berier Swan, Francois Barbet, and Theo Di Guglielmo. Then, rounding out the podium for the bronze medal was the Italian crew of Massimo Rama on WHY NOT #CAIM (Filippo Vulcanile, Matteo Ferreti, Matteo Capurro, and Giorgia Taddei).
The balance of the top five included the Swiss team of Oldani Urs on IVA from Yacht Club Zug in fourth place and Gianfranco Noe’s Italian crew on WHITE HAWK.
For more Italian J/70 Class sailing informationhttps://www.j70.it/en/

(Larchmont, NY)- On this Columbus Day holiday weekend, October 10-12, the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) will take place at Larchmont Yacht Club, co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club.
The event will see 47 schools from 19 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces come together for a unique offshore sailing experience, designed to give collegiate sailors a new challenge beyond their typical dinghy racing. Notably, this event has become by far the largest collegiate sailing event on the annual college sailing calendar in both the spring and fall!
This year’s regatta features 47 boats generously donated by local sailors or schools. In fact, 34 of them are passionate J/Boats owners- 72.0% of the fleet!! In total, 400+ college sailors will participate, supported by 90 volunteers who will serve in roles from Race Committee to Safety Officers on the donated boats. The event, supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation and powered by generous donations from club members, sponsors, and partners, remains free for all student competitors.
Key sponsors include ShopRite of Carteret, IHG Hotels & Resorts, The Moorings, Helly Hansen, Risk Strategies-Gowrie Group, Harken Derm, Carlsberg (Sheehan Co), McMichael Yachts, UK Sailmakers Northeast, Dimension-Polyant, and Gifted of Larchmont.
The fleet will be divided into six classes (PHRF Zero, PHRF Large, PHRF Medium, PHRF Small, J/105s, and J/109s). The teams will be competing for class prizes and the prestigious Paul Hoffman Trophy, awarded to the overall winner based on points.
The regatta attracts teams from across the USA and Canada. Months of preparation from the Storm Trysail Club have gone into making this regatta a reality; it’s truly an enormous undertaking to manage the care & feeding of 400+ ravenous college kids! With good weather on the horizon, it promises to be a thrilling weekend of offshore racing and great social activities on shore. Here are some highlights of the college teams participating in various J/Boats.

PHRF Large DivisionThis half-dozen boat fleet features 100% J’s! So, without a doubt, J’s will sweep the podium. Hahaha. Clemson is sailing the J/111 SUMMER STORM, Mass Maritime is on the J/122 DIRE WOLF, and four J/44s are being raced by the US Naval Academy, Embry-Riddle, URI, and US Merchant Marine Academy. In the past, the well-trained Navy crew was nearly unstoppable as they had one of the best “big boat” college sailing programs in the world. They won class last year on the J/44 MAXINE and will be racing her again this year.

PHRF Medium DivisionThis seven-boat fleet features three J teams. On the J/112E REBELLE is Northeastern University, RIT is on the J/120 M-SQUARED, and Western Michigan is sailing the J/120 DUET.

PHRF Small DivisionThis eleven-boat fleet will have to contend with seven pretty well-trained college teams. The two J/100s will have Miami on AVOCET and South Carolina on GALATRONA. Webb is sailing their modified J/105 SLEEPER. Michigan State is on the J/42 ATALANTA. Vermont is racing the J/88 ONE TOO MANY. And, the two J/99s are being sailed by Syracuse on THIN MAN and Grand Valley on SAVE THE SOUND.

J/105 ClassThe dozen-boat fleet always has close competition. However, due to having their own J/105s, it always seems that the College of Charleston holds the upper hand in this fleet. They’ve won the J/105s twice before. This year, they are sailing KESTREL. Princeton’s offshore sailors are not exactly “wallflowers”; it seems they give the Charleston team fits in other regattas, and they will be sailing MAGIC.

J/109 ClassThis seven-boat fleet has several contenders. Having won in other divisions in previous STC IOR Regattas, watch out for Ohio State on MOCHI FANTA to be a leading contender. Others will be Brown racing the well-known NORDLYS and SUNY Maritime on LEADING EDGE.
Sailing photo credits- Steve Cloutier (@BlockIslandSteve on Instagram)
For STC Intercollegiate Regatta resultshttps://www.yachtscoring.com/event_scratch_sheet/50498
For more Storm Trysail Club’s Intercollegiate Regatta sailing informationhttps://stormtrysail.org/regattas/intercollegiate-regatta/

(New Orleans, LA)- Twenty-one J/80s from across the United States and Canada descended on New Orleans, LA, for the 2025 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club. Excitement has been high leading into this match-up, after recent championships in the North/Northeast of the continent.

The results from day one proved a wide variance of entrants, led by James Buley of San Diego, CA, on LE TIGRE, who posted scores of 1-2 for the early advantage at 3 points. The breeze started quite promising on Lake Pontchartrain, with winds in the mid-teens. Buley’s LE TIGRE took the bullet, ahead of Daniel Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH, and John Van Landeghem’s FUJIMO.
Wittig’s TURBO SLOTH of Annapolis, MD landed second-place on the day after another podium finish in race two (5 points overall). The wind backed off in that contest, but sailors had to endure the lingering chop. Jason Balich’s OVERACHIEVER of Beverly, MA, earned that race win, with Buley and Wittig rounding out the top group. Balich’s OVERACHIEVER holds third overall with 6 points.
Racing continues through Sunday.
For J/80 North American Championship resultshttps://www.regattanetwork.com/event/29407
Photos on J/80 North American Class Association Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581408401885