NEWPORT J CLASS REGATTA - REPORT NO.1

Two of the most competitive yachts in the world are coming together for the first race of the Newport J Class Regatta, R.I. USA - a series of five races from 15-19 June. The yachts, their entourage of support boats, containers and Crew have been arriving over the last few weeks in preparation for this event: bringing the famous J Class yachts back to sail on Newport waters.

Both yachts have been practising on the proposed course around the harbour and under the famous Newport Harbour bridge. With 175 feet of mast above the deck there is little clearance for these yachts, making sailing under the bridge truly spectacular. Racing is due to start at 1.00pm local time on a start line near Fort Adams, allowing spectators stunning views of these wonderful classic yachts.

VELSHEDA dates back to 1933 when she was owned and built by Mr Stephenson, to spar against the UK yacht ENDEAVOUR. RANGER is a replica build of the famous original, launched in 2002. The original successfully defended the America's Cup against ENDEAVOUR II in 1937.

This has been a big commitment by the J Class Association to bring these wonderful yachts back to the home waters of the 1930s era of America's Cup sailing. It had been hoped that more would be competing, but SHAMROCK V could not make the Atlantic crossing due to European commitments and HANUMAN (a replica of the 1937 ENDEAVOUR II) declined to race.

This event starts the run-in to the 2012 series of J Class regattas in the UK planned for Falmouth, June 2012, The Solent, July 2012, and the final "Hundred Guinea Cup Race" around the Isle of Wight on the original 1851 America's Cup course.

J CLASS REGATTA ANNOUNCED FOR NEWPORT, JUNE 2011

click here to view the Newport Regatta page...

The J Class yachts VELSHEDA, RANGER and SHAMROCK V will be participating in the J CLASS NEWPORT REGATTA, the first of a series of global J Class events, culminating in the Hundred Guinea Cup race, Cowes 2012.

JANUARY 27, 2011, Newport, RI – David Pitman, Secretary of the J Class Association announced that the first event in the J Class Global Calendar of events will be staged in Newport, RI. Racing in the famous waters of the America’s Cup, the J Class will use this regatta to kick off a four regatta programme culminating in a race around the Isle of Wight in July of 2012 on the original 1851 America’s Cup course, for the HUNDRED GUINEA CUP.

In 1930, Newport was the venue for the start of the remarkable J Class era. Between 1930 and 1937 there were just 10 of these stunning yachts constructed for the purpose of winning the America’s Cup. Two of the originals (Shamrock V and Velsheda) will participate in Newport, together with Ranger, a true replica of the original. Negotiations continue with other new J yachts for them join the regatta.

Sail Newport and the J Class Association are responsible for the on water race management of the regatta. The yachts and their teams will be based at the Newport Shipyard with crews staying at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina.

The regatta series of 5 races will be run from June 15th to 19th, 2011 with starts and finishes off of Fort Adams. Viewing stands will be set up on the Northwestern corner of Fort Adams and other excellent viewing options will be at Castle Hill Inn and various spots in Jamestown.

Working with the US Coast Guard, Sail Newport will establish safe water viewing areas along the entire course.

Mr. Pitman closed the announcement by saying, “We hope to provide five days of spectacular racing and with the continued support of the State and the city of Newport we look forward to planning arrangements for a major regatta in Newport during 2014, featuring up to 10 yachts.”

VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ - 2009

SHAMROCK V sailed for the first time in the ‘Modern” fleet at the Voiles de St Tropez and with very good results bearing in mind that she was packed with charter guests. She finished a very creditable 11th out of a fleet of 36 yachts.

Her new genoa certainly seems to have transformed her performance. In two of the races she finished 7th against smaller modern race yachts, proving once again that the J’s can sail well against modern race yachts with an IRC handicap.

RECENT MAGAZINE REPORTS

Following misleading reports in recent weeks, we wish to clarify plans for some of the yachts this season.

RANGER
Will compete in Caribbean regattas, including Antigua Classic Regatta, April 2009. She will then be based on the Eastern seaboard of the USA for the rest of the season, She is not intending to participate in European regattas during 2009.

VELSHEDA
Will also compete at the Antigua Classic Regatta, April 2009.
She is also planning to compete at the Rolex Maxi Yacht Regatta, Sardinia, September and the St Tropez Regatta, October. She will not be competing at the Superyacht Cup, Palma, June 2009.

HANUMAN
(the new replica rebuild of ENDEAVOUR II) will on completion, depart for the USA East Coast.

SHAMROCK V
Is available for Charter during the season, including European based regattas.

ENDEAVOUR
Will be refitting during 2009.