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.