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.

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It is with regret that the J Class Association has been informed that Hanuman has withdrawn from the Antigua Classic Regatta 2010.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.

Newport Bucket Regatta - Race Summary

History was made today when the replicas of both Ranger and Endeavour II (Hanuman) lined up together, 72 years after these designs first raced each other in the America’s Cup, Newport, R.I. in 1937. In that event, the British challenger Endeavour II lost to the US Cup defender, Ranger.

Today’s historic sail in the waters just off Newport, home for the America’s Cup throughout the J Class era, confirms the promise of breathtaking sailing in what are acknowledged to be the most beautiful yachts in the world.

With a soft 10mph wind and difficult sloppy sea conditions, Hanuman lined up with Ranger for a first beat to weather. Hanuman started with around a 300 metre lead and hung on to it for around one hour, suggesting that the two yachts were very evenly matched, although Hanuman is just ‘out of the box’ and Ranger is now fully race prepared.

Both yachts agreed to the same sail configuration - double headsail, cruising mainsail and asymmetric spinnaker with no pole; Ranger’s cruising mainsail was clearly well used.

Hanuman also showed great promise downwind. Whilst she had some difficulty through the gybes, she was able to stay in contact with the polished downwind performance from Ranger. This historic meeting of the two yachts takes the J Class fleet into an exciting new era with the boats evenly matched in performance, offering competitors and spectators the promise of great fleet racing.

Hanuman was built at the Royal Huisman shipyard to the original lines of Endeavour II and is a maximum size ‘Super J’, along with Ranger and the Swedish design Svea (also designed in 1937 and yet to be built).

Whilst legal battles between America’s Cup syndicates continue to exasperate onlookers, the rebirth of the great J Class yachts slowly continues.

Newport Bucket Regatta - Race 2

With clear skies and a building wind from the South, the yachts got underway for this second and last race. Handicaps were reversed and Ranger was awarded a one minute earlier start on Hanuman.

With steady performance and positive tactical decisions, Hanuman overhauled Ranger to finish ahead of her by one minute.

All credit must go to Jim Clark, who not only commissioned Hanuman, based on such a great historical background, but also got behind the wheel and sailed her to success on this first outing.

Newport Bucket Regatta - Race 1

Shrouded in sea fog, the NEWPORT BUCKET, an annual Pursuit Race around Newport Bay, got underway with a 10 mph Southerly breeze but by the time Hanuman and Ranger were starting, the skies had cleared to a perfect, sunny 12-15 mph breeze.

Hanuman was awarded a one minute advantage and made the best of this, crossing the line at full speed. Ranger followed in spectacular style just a few hundred metres behind. Both yachts quickly accelerated away from the spectator fleet to concentrate on their battle within the Bucket regatta fleet.

After more than two and a half hours of close racing, it was the new Hanuman who crossed the line just ahead of Ranger by 38 seconds. Hanuman had been helmed by owner Jim Clark, assisted by the experienced America’s Cup tactician and sailmaker, Tom Whidden.

Ranger, helmed by New Zealander Erle Williams (fresh from racing the Volvo Ocean Race on board Puma) closed the gap in the last few minutes of the race by setting a kite for the last sprint to the finish.

Hanuman Carries out Sail Trials

Hanuman, the replica new build of Endeavour II, undergoing sail trials from the fishing port of Harlingen, Holland.

HANUMAN Update

Following her launch and rig set up, at the Royal Huisman yard in Vollenhove, Holland recently, Hanuman is on her way to the coast today (Tuesday 7th April). Her destination is the fishing port of Harlingen in Friesland on the edge of the Wadden Sea, where she will now complete her sea trials and commissioning.

Hanuman Launched

Hanuman, the replica new build of Endeavour II, was launched over the weekend at the Royal Huisman yard in The Netherlands. Designed by Dykstra and Partners, and with an interior by Pieter Beeldsnijder; she made a dramatic appearance as she was lowered into the water yesterday.

She was launched alongside the shipyard to step the mast and check all the rigging systems, prior to moving the yacht to the North Sea for commissioning and sea trials.

In 1937 the original Endeavour II was built in steel at Camper & Nicholson's yard in Gosport, for T.O.M. Sopwith, to designs by Charles E Nicholson. She was built to challenge for the America's Cup, against the defender 'Ranger'. click here to view the latest pics.

NEW YACHT UPDATE

ATLANTIS
The aluminium hull construction is almost complete at Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw, Holland. view pics

LIONHEART
Now well under way at Claasen Jachtbouw, Holland and due for completion in the spring 2010. view pics

HANUMAN
Almost complete at Royal Huisman Shipyard, Holland and due to launch in the next few months.

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.