SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR THE J CLASS 2012 REGATTA SERIES

As you will be aware, the J Class Association has comprehensive plans for a series of regattas in the UK during 2012. The J Class Association is now delighted to announce that four of the leading Dutch shipyards will form the main sponsor for these events. This is just a start of the initiative sponsoring the J-Class and their events. It is anticipated that the sponsoring group may be enlarged and broadened in scope in the months ahead.

The Sponsor Partners are, in no particular order:

Royal Huisman
Holland Jachtbouw
Claasen / Jongkind
Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw


All of these shipyards have been involved in the construction and launching of either new builds or restorations.

They recognise the importance of the J Class fleet, and its resurgence at the leading edge of modern yacht racing around the world. The J Class yachts command respect from yachtsmen worldwide and are a marker for quality, advanced technology and performance. Our sponsors are therefore proud to be associated with the Class and its future expansion and the JCA is delighted to have their support.

BLOEMSMA ALUMINIUMBOUW has now built the aluminium hulls for three yachts: ATLANTIS, LIONHEART and RAINBOW.

CLAASEN / JONGKIND has recently completed fitting out the Yacht LIONHEART and is involved in further projects.

HOLLAND JACHTBOUW is now finishing RAINBOW, which was moved to their shipyard several months ago. Rainbow will be launching in January 2012 and will be ready for the 2012 regatta series.

ROYAL HUISMAN was responsible for the restoration of ENDEAVOUR in 1986, and more recently completed the replica build of ENDEAVOUR II, now named HANUMAN.

All these yards are all heavily involved in the Class, its unique history and its very promising future, hence their desire to support this major regatta programme in the Olympic Year.


“This is a great opportunity for us,”said Jan Hart, spokesman on behalf of the sponsor group “We believe that this J Class yacht racing programme epitomises the achievements that our Dutch yards have made in the competitive field of superyacht construction. We want to build on this success and look forward to working with the Class throughout the 2012 regatta and beyond”.


David Pitman, J Class Association Secretary said “This is a big step forward for our 2012 event. It enables us to plan a great sailing programme for the competitors plus a wonderful spectacle of sailing, both in Falmouth and the Solent. We can now look forward to the real possibility of attracting at least six and possibly more yachts. It will be a breathtaking sight.”.


ABOUT THE 2012 REGATTA
In June 2012 the first regatta will be sailed in the wonderful waters of Falmouth Bay, in Cornwall. One month later the second regatta will be held in the Solent. The final regatta will be a single race, sailed over the original 1851 America’s Cup course, 65 miles around the Isle of Wight, with no time limit.


YACHTS - EXISTING AND PLANNED
Six originals or replicas now exist: SHAMROCK V, ENDEAVOUR, VELSHEDA, RANGER, HANUMAN and LIONHEART.
Two more are in build: RAINBOW and ATLANTIS.
Two more have plans approved to build : ENTERPRISE and SVEA
One more project is about to be commissioned. The grand total is ELEVEN, a long way from where we were in the year 2000 when the class association was formed.


YANKEE PROJECT
We are extremely pleased to make a further announcement. Holland Jachtbouw will shortly start the construction of the yacht YANKEE for a Dutch syndicate. Originally built in 1930 as a defender of the America’s Cup, this new yacht will also be ready for the 2012 Regatta. The contract for this exciting project will be signed on the Holland Jachtbouw stand Thursday 23rd September at 16.00 hrs.

Rainbow JH2: Transported to Holland Jachtbouw

On Monday July 19th Rainbow JH2 was transported on a barge to Holland Jachtbouw in Zaandam.

Zwartsluis based HEBO took care of the transport, across the IJsselmeer and through Amsterdam.

The 40 meter yacht is now on a cradle inside Holland Jachtbouw where she will be finished.

Early 2012 Rainbow will be launched and rigged. Immediately afterwards test sailing and crew training will commence off Ijmuiden.

At the J class event at Fallmouth and Cowes in June 2012 Rainbow JH2 will be able to compete against her sister ships for the first time.

During the Olympic Games in England, Rainbow is available for (day)charters.

Building progress and latest developments can be checked at  www.rainbow-jh2.com

Further information is available from Martine Vos. info@rainbow-jh2.com

LIONHEART NOW ON THE WATER

The sensational new J Class yacht LIONHEART has now been launched in Holland.

LIONHEART is based on a RANGER design (77F Model) which was tank tested in 1936 but never built. Design work from the original hull lines was completed by Andre Hoek Naval Architects, with construction of the aluminium hull by the now famous Bloemsma Shipyard. She was then moved by barge to Claasen Jachtbouw BV for fitting out and completion with technical installations by Cornelis Jongkind Yacht Installations.

She is finished below decks to a very high standard, befitting a yacht of this calibre. Above decks she features the very latest technology in sailing systems - Harken winches, Hall Spars carbon mast, spars and rigging and North sails. Following sailing trials she will leave for the Mediterranean.

This is now the sixth J Class yacht on the water.

Already afloat are:

SHAMROCK V (1930)
VELSHEDA (1933)
ENDEAVOUR (1934)
RANGER (replica 2002)
HANUMAN (replica 2009)

Two more yachts are currently under construction at Bloemsma, ATLANTIS and RAINBOW, both due to complete in time for the J Class Regatta programme in England (Falmouth June 2012, the Solent July 2012).

VELSHEDA WINS CLASS IN RTI RACE 2010

Velsheda had a great race in technically difficult conditions finishing first in Class '0', which comprises the fastest of the IRC yacht racing fleet. JK7 was able to hold on to a good wind band right down to the Needles, rounding second, behind ICAP Leopard, and ahead of around 1700 yachts in the monohull fleet.

At the finish of the 55 mile course, JK7 held on to her second place over the line, completing the course in 5 hrs 45 mins 2 seconds to the surprise of many onlookers.

Early quotes:

"In the light conditions, ICAP Leopard was first to the Needles with Velsheda behind her making good progress thanks to her massive acreage of sail. At this stage the mighty J was only just being caught by the first of the Extreme 40s"


"Velsheda had a great race finishing at 10.45.02 and ended up winning Class 0 ahead of Ben Ainslie on JPM Princes Trust, followed by John Caulcutt’s Swan 65 Desperado and then the ‘international incidence’ – the Farr 52 BOB, formerly Bear of Britain, who’s crew included Tony Hayward, the BP CEO, heavily lambasted recently for his company’s responsibility in the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster and who was trying to get some quiet down time with his son."


"The exquisite J Class yacht Velsheda finished at 10:45. Built in 1933 in Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport, Velsheda is the most famous of the few remaining J Class yachts left in the world today."

HANUMAN WINS SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR in the World Superyacht Awards 2010

J CLASS YACHT 'HANUMAN' has been awarded the SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR AWARD at the 2010 World Superyacht Awards.

Judges' Comments:
Chosen from among the three award winners in the sailing yacht classes, the judges felt that the combination of beauty and extremely high quality of construction concentrated in Hanuman made her a worthy winner of the title Sailing Yacht of the Year.

http://worldsuperyachtawards.com/2010-winners/#sailing

Press Statement from the J Class Association: 15th April 2010

It is with regret that the J Class Association has been informed that Hanuman has withdrawn from the Antigua Classic Regatta 2010.  Everyone had been looking forward to watching the three J yachts ‘Hanuman’, ‘Velsheda’ and ‘Ranger’ compete in the four day event, which starts Friday 16th April 2010.

Both ‘Velsheda’ and ‘Ranger’ will compete in the Spirit of Tradition Class, a fleet of around 7 yachts, schooners, yawls and sloops all over 90’ LOA.  

We hope to see ‘Hanuman’ sailing against other Js in future regattas.

2012 J CLASS REGATTA

"A spectacular yachting event is coming to the UK"

The J Class Association is pleased to announce outline plans for a series of spectacular regattas in England during 2012 - the Olympic Year. This will be the first time in history that more than four of these imposing yachts will race together in a fleet.

The outline plan has received a positive response from J Class owners and event planning is now proceeding. Many yachts in the fleet are now preparing to be on the start line for these 2012 events.

FALMOUTH
The first regatta will be based in Falmouth, Cornwall, hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Races will be held in the bay and along the coastline.

SOLENT
The second regatta will be based in the Solent, the traditional home of J Class racing in the UK during the 1930s.

ROUND THE ISLAND
The last race will be held over the original course around the Isle of Wight, for the 1851 Hundred Guinea Cup Race, which is now known as the “America’s Cup”.

This J Class event will attract many thousands of spectators. There are numerous headlands and vantage points close to the race courses for viewing this spectacular fleet.

Read more about the Regatta here...

Rainbow :a J-class boat with a future

On Friday 22nd January, before a large crowd, the keel was laid for Rainbow.

The original Rainbow, commissioned by Harold Vanderbilt, was built in 1934 to defend the America’s Cup against Endeavour. Rainbow’s defense was successful, but Rainbow was sold for scrap in 1940.

Gerard Dykstra & Partners have been asked to redesign this Dutch flagged J-class boat, based on the original drawings.

Rainbow will be built to win but this does not mean there will be less comfort below decks. As may be expected on a yacht this size, the interior design will be luxurious and comfortable. According to the original plans a Boxboom will be used instead of the “Park Avenue” boom and the design of the rigging will be original too. But the 40 meter yacht will now have an aluminium hull and full carbon mast and rigging.

Rainbow will be fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system. Two generators deliver 350Kw shaft horsepower. The propeller, which has hydraulically adjustable pitch, will be used to charge the batteries on Atlantic crossings. This hybrid engine is smaller and lighter than other engines. This feature makes Rainbow quite unique.

The hull is constructed by Freddie Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw in Makkum, the Netherlands. In spring 2010 the boat will be transported over water to Holland Jachtbouw in Zaandam where she will be finished. By the end of 2011 she will be launched and extensive tests and trainings will commence.

The first J-class event in which Rainbow will compete will be in July 2012 in Cowes.

Rainbow meets Endeavour again!

Rainbow will be fitted out for racing but she can also be chartered for pleasure trips or business incentives. A permanent crew of seven will look after a maximum of eight guests.

For further information contact Martine Vos (mrs) at info@rainbow-jh2.com

2010 Superyacht Cup, Antigua

Three days of wonderful racing in the strong warm caribbean winds.

Day 1
"It was a day for the ketches" commented Mike Quilter on Ranger, "It may be a small fleet but they are all excellent boats, and without being able to use the genniker we just could not keep up. We finished third".

Day 2
The J-Boat Ranger numbers among her traditional themes no safety rails when racing in these heavy seas. It truly doesn’t get much better than this, even in the rarified atmosphere of superyacht racing, than the thrill of racing on a gorgeous, and very competitive Super-J in one of the worlds most scenic racing venues.
Today, she proved that she’s still at heart a gazelle of the sea, powering through rough waters, taking on 30 knot winds, and seemingly easily achieving over 15 knots of boat speed. Despite the fact that the conditions required Ranger, for the first time ever during a race, to reef in her mainsail, she managed to also get up a staysail on the downwind runs, and the entire contingent of 35 crew and guests, scampered back and forth to the rails on seemingly endless tacks.
As for the lucky guests aboard today, Ranger’s skipper Alastair Tait, called the day’s racing “moist”, while long-time racing crewmember Paul Collen perhaps more accurately said “this is the wettest day we’ve ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, had.” Yet the full-time crew made sure that we all stayed dry in perfectly matching kit, and home-made cookies were served on a regular basis.

Day 3
Ranger and P2 had a tight battle all day, crossing tacks several times. At one point P2 looked to be clear ahead, but Ranger gained on the last upwind leg, beating them by just over 3 minutes.

See: http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/ for full report.
1st Visione - 4 points
2nd Sojana - 10 points
3rd Ranger - 10 points

The J Class ‘Ranger’ and Mothership MY ‘Vita’ – FOR SALE OR CHARTER

A unique opportunity exists to buy or charter ‘Ranger’ and her mothership ‘Vita’.  Ranger has a proven racing record, having won the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Antigua Classics. She is available fully race prepared or ready for luxury cruising.  Her mahogany interior is exquisite, with four staterooms for owners and guests and accommodation for up to 8 crew.  Her traditional design originates from the 1930s,  but she is equipped with modern systems above and below decks. 

Ranger’s mothership MY Vita, is also available for sale or charter.  With a comfortable cruising speed of around 18 knots, she can accommodate and entertain 12 guests in ultimate luxury.   Both yachts are immaculate with every facility possible provided for guests or crew, whether superyacht racing, cruising or just enjoying a relaxing holiday break.

Further information at:  http://www.jclassyachts.com/ranger/index.html