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

J CLASS CALENDAR 2010 NOW AVAILABLE

2010 DESK CALENDAR
Capture some of the J Class magic, both original 1930s and the new projects in the new desktop J Class calendar for 2010.

Each of the twelve pages features one of the yachts, offering a comprehensive view of the J Class fleet and the rebirth of the Class.

The three original yachts, Shamrock V, Velsheda and Endeavour are all featured, along with the replica new builds currently on the water, Ranger and Hanuman. There are further photographs and information on J Class yachts currently in build, as well as Svea, who has already had her lines plans approved by the J Class Association.

The history of the J Class is summarised within the calendar and many of the photographs will be seen for the first time.

The calendar costs £10.99 excluding postage, or it can be obtained at an introductory offer for those who wish to join the J Class Supporters’ Club.

This calendar or membership to the J Class Supporters’ Club would make an ideal gift for friends or family who are followers and enthusiasts of this iconic class.

BUY YOUR CALENDAR HERE

RAINBOW UPDATE - Building has started

A replica of the J-Class RAINBOW, the famous American yacht which won the 1934 America’s Cup, has started building at Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw at Makkum in Holland. It is no surprise that Bloemsma should be selected to produce the hull as the yard has previously built “Windrose of Amsterdam” for the owner of Rainbow.

The replica re-build of this original design by William Starling Burgess will be under the supervision of Dykstra & Partners, who have more than 20 years’ experience with J Class and have been responsible for the re-builds and refits of: SHAMROCK V, ENDEAVOUR, VELSHEDA, RANGER and the new HANUMAN (Endeavour II Project).

The new RAINBOW will be constructed in aluminium, combining lightweight construction with high overall stiffness to improve sailing performance. Below deck the interior will represent 1930s styling,yet with all modern comforts for 8 guests and 8 crew.

The superstructure will have clear flush decks and the rig and sail handling systems will be similar to other Js - high modulus carbon spars, carbon rigging, 3DL sails and hydraulic winches in accordance with the JCA (J Class Association) Rules.

When the hull is complete, RAINBOW will be transported by barge, to Holland Jachtbouw where she will be finished. She will be campaigned by an experienced, proven team of sailors from Holland.

RAINBOW has a well respected pedigree. The original W. Starling Burgess design was launched on 15th May 1934, at the Herreshoff Yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA. She was built to defend the America’s Cup against “ENDEAVOUR”. The first 2 races were tough for RAINBOW, yet she beat ENDEAVOUR in the last four races to win. In 1937 she was sold and then challenged for the Cup defence. Sadly for her, RANGER won and RAINBOW was sold for scrap in 1940.

J Class enthusiasts and fans of these iconic racing yachts can look forward to the prospect of a re-run of the 1934 America’s Cup races between the original ENDEAVOUR and the new replica RAINBOW when she is launched.

Specification: RAINBOW
LOA: 39.95 m
LWL: 27.10 m
Hull material: Aluminum
Displacement: Approx. 176 tons
Naval Architect: Dykstra & Partners
Interior design: Dykstra & Partners
Hull construction: Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw
Shipyard: Holland Jachtbouw

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.