Over the past few weeks, the Argentina J/24 Class was hosting two major regattas on the Rio del Plata, hosted by Club Nautico Olivos. The first regatta was the J/24 Argentine Nationals, and the second was the Pan Am Qualifiers in J/24s for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Nationals took place over two weekends, starting on November 22-23 and concluding on November 29-30. The regatta saw 15 teams participating. Teams showed up from the Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Cordoba, Mendoza and Mar del Plata J/24 fleets. After three days of racing, very light winds marred the first weekend of sailing, and the CNO PRO managing to get in just three races. The following weekend, the CNO PRO Ernesto Lupi managed to squeeze in three more races in reasonable breezes on Saturday, thanks to their early start at 1100 hours. In the end, the team on CARRERA, skippered by Matias Pereira with crew of Augusto Rossi, Roberto Bellinoto & Federico Ambrus managed to hold onto their lead from the first weekend to take the championship by just one point. Sailing in the Nationals for the first time, Rodrigo Benedetto and his team of Alejandro Giralt, Augusto Bassanetti, Hernan Suarez & Sebastian Peri Brusa took second place by winning two of the six races. The LUCA VIVES team of Alejo Rigone, Gustavo Gonzalez, Joaquin Suarte Argerich, Fernando Gwodwz & Matias Maffioli took third place on a tie-breaker. Rounding out the top five were Santiago Doval in fourth and Chiqui Figueroa in fifth. The Argentina selection qualifiers for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games took place this past weekend. The most significant difference for the Pan Am qualifiers versus the Nationals is that the boats sailed with 100% jibs only, and there were only four crew members permitted for each boat. Yet again, Matias Pereira’s crew on CARRERA (Federico Ambrus, Guillermo Bellinotto & Juan Pereira) sailed like champions to become the Argentina representative in the 2015 Pan Am Games. The three-day selection event was again characterized by unusually light winds. Eight teams participated in the event. The first day saw light 6-8 knot NE winds with remarkably large wind shifts all day. The CNO Race Officer Santiago Sharpin managed to run three races. Yet again, Pereira established an early lead the first day, never to relinquish it until the end of the regatta. The second day saw drizzle, light unstable air from the ESE and reduced visibility to some fogginess. Nevertheless, after postponing sailing until 1340 hrs, the first race started and Aeljo Rigoni’s LUCA VIVE won the first race of the day. Another postponement ensued with the second and last race of the day started at 1640 hrs. Despite the light winds and lousy weather, CARRERA won the fifth race of the series to lengthen their lead over the fleet. Nevertheless, the racing was very tight and close together, with the entire fleet finishing in less than two minutes. The final day of racing on Monday was not much different than the previous two days. Again, the fleet was postponed to a 1315 hrs start time. CARRERA again showed her transom to the fleet, winning race 6, followed by Francisco Van Avermaetre’s MENDIETA and Luis Cerrato’s NORMAII SANDRO. The second race of the day didn’t start until 1430 hrs. It was declared the last race by PRO Santiago Sharpin, enabling Pereira’s crew to take a DNS drop race and still win the championship! After starting slowly, the MENDIETA crew (Van Avermaetre with Rafael de Martis, Carlos Lacchini & Geronimo Galvan) won the last race and secured second place overall. Taking second in the last race and happily getting a bronze was Alejo Rigoni’s crew on LUCA VIVE (Gustavo Gonzalez, Joaquin Duarte & Fernando Gwodwz). For more J/24 Argentina sailing information, visit http://j24arg.blogspot.de/.

Family and friends are grieving the death of well-known sailor David Ashton, who passed away on November 21. He was 62. Mr Ashton died from complications following surgery in a Boston hospital. He was a veteran of multiple Newport Bermuda Races, including the 2012 race aboard the Spirit of Bermuda. He was also co-founder of the local J/24 fleet in Bermuda and represented Bermuda at the J/24 World Championships in the United States. In the 1970s, Mr. Ashton owned a boat rental company and also operated a performance keelboat sailing school, using J/24s as the design of choice. More recently, he was a member of the International One Design Class of Bermuda and owner of the IOD sloop, Slingshot. Paul Doughty, a former business partner of Mr. Ashton, described the late sailor as a “reckoning force” in competitive sailing. “He was a very good racing sailor because obviously he earned the right to go the J/24 World Championships,” Mr. Doughty said. “Usually when he skippered a boat, he was fiery and we used to have a saying ‘which one is it today? Is it Sugar Bear or is it Grumpy Bear’ because he was very bear like. David is a great loss to the local community and was always a supporter of any sailing event. My condolences go out to his family.” At the time of his death, Mr. Ashton was joint-owner and manager of Greenbank Guesthouse in Paget. A statement on the guest house’s Facebook page read: “It is with great sadness that the family of David William Ashton announces his passing on November 21, 2014. The Ashton family has owned and managed Greenbank Guesthouse since 1952, and David dedicated his time, love and energy to Greenbank and its guests for over 20 years, along with his wife, Cindy. Many of our guests will remember David sharing the history of the property and of Bermuda, and his passion for his Island home. David will be greatly missed by his family, friends and many of Greenbank’s loyal guests.” Any comments welcome here: https://www.facebook.com/GreenbankGuestHouse.

Eight sailing events were part of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico on November 23-28. Held every four years, the Games are one of the most important sports events in the Central American and Caribbean Region. There were competitions in 36 sports, 12 of which lead to qualification for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. Taking gold in the J/24 Class were Taylor Canfield, Addison Caproni, Max Nicbarg and Phillip Shannon (ISV). In the silver position were Juan E. Maegli, Eduardo Cabarrus, José X. Castillo and Rodrigo Aguirre (GUA). Efrain Lugo, Melvin Gonzalez, Pablo A. Mendez and Alejandro J. Berrios (PUR) earned the bronze. For complete event information, visit http://veracruz2014.mx/?lang=en.

Hosting this year’s Argentine J/24 National Championship is Club Nautico Olives (http://www.nauticoolivos.com.ar/). A high-level fleet has assembled to battle for class honors in Argentina on the Rio de la Plata off Buenos Aires. Fifteen boats are racing and just about all teams that have been winning in their local fleets (Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Cordoba, Mendoza and Mar del Plata) enjoyed the first weekend of the championship. On the first weekend of sailing, the weather had a great effect on race outcomes, with no racing on Saturday, three races in normal conditions on Sunday, and just one race on Monday after a long delay. At this time, with one full weekend of racing left to go, it’s the local Yacht Club Olivos team of Matias Perreira that is leading the fleet with a 1-1-3-4 for 9 points. They are just ahead of the CVB team of Rodrigo Benedetto who have a 5-3-1-1 tally for 10 points. The balance of the top five includes Alejo Rigone in third, Santiago Doval in fourth and Chiqui Figueroa in fifth. With another three days of sailing, these standings could flip-flop quickly. For more Argentina J/24 Championship sailing information, visit http://j24arg.blogspot.com/.

It was yet another epic event run by the Royal Western YC in Poole, England. The J/24s in the United Kingdom always seem to have some drama and fun in their infamous J/24 Autumn Cup. Here’s the report from Nick Triscott aboard JAWBREAKER. Day 1: A blustery, cloudy forecasted weekend set the scene for a dramatic sailing event in Plymouth Sound. Following just one week after the re-scheduled Spring Cup, there was much expectation from the 13 entrants to retain or improve places in the absence of Madeleine, the previous week’s winners. A perfect windward-leeward course was laid inside the breakwater by race officer Neil Dunkley, and genoas were rigged for winds measuring around 14 knots. A hotly contested start showed no immediate leader, but there was no room for errors given the competitive fleet. Correct tactics, including knowledge of the strong spring tide, allowed Nick McDonald’s team (sailing the Spring Cup’s third placed Cacoon) to cross the line first after a hard fought battle. They were followed by the visiting team of Roger Morris of Jolly Roger from Poole. Third place was earned by Adrian Bennett of Skilled Services. With the wind rising, a pre-start incident between guest helm Sophie Pearson of Hitchhiker and local boat Dogs Jorrocks unfortunately led to the retirement of Torpoint stalwart Steve Wassell and his crew from the event after a single race, but the commotion continued throughout race 2. The hot contest to the windward mark provided enough congestion to cause the scraping and even complete missing of the buoy by numerous boats and the placings shuffled as penalty turns were taken. Those able to gybe quickly benefited at once, however, and the second lap lead gained by the underweight team of Skilled Services was enough to see them win through, narrowly before the consistent Roger Morris and his Jolly crew. Nick McDonald’s Cacoon completed the first three, ahead of Plymouth’s Jawbreaker and Hijinks. The now numbering 10 starters lined up once more for Race 3, with the lead changing hands several times before the previous event’s runner up Jawbreaker, coolly helmed as always by David Cooper, surged across the finish ahead of the dependable Cacoon. A strong performance from boat-borrowing father Darryl Conyers, who worked his way out of a McDonald sandwich, earned Illuminator a deserved third place. Despite the innocent faces of most helms, Race 4 quite understandably saw the use of the black flag for the first time in the cup. With overnight places at stake, nerves began to show as advantageous positions were thrown away time and time again. There were no clear leaders until the end of the first beat when Stig McDonald’s Jeli made the best tactical choices given the now incoming tide and wind shifts. They held their lead until the end, narrowly followed by Nick McDonald’s Cacoon and the husband and wife team of Austen and Claire Davies on Jam Too who completed the Plymouth Podium. The unshaken Sophie Pearson of Hitchhiker achieved a very notable fourth, but in a change of fortunes, the winners of the previous two races followed all of the other boats across the line. Day 2: An extra hour’s rest for daylight savings put the sailors in high spirits for the start of day 2, despite the predicted stronger winds and occasional regrets of sangria the night before. After much debate during rigging, three genoas ultimately stood out amongst the jibs as controversial choices in the morning’s borderline wind conditions. At the start of Race 5, there wasn’t much difference in boat performance given the headsail, but gusts in different sections of the course caused some to suffer slightly more than others. Toward the end of the second beat, it felt like genoa conditions, but it was too late because the pirates of Jolly Roger went steaming ahead and looked untouchable. They confidently led home visitor William Pollock of Flying Colours whose team fought hard for their second place and Darryl Conyers’ Illuminator in third. With an all genoa start to the penultimate race, a few boats were squeezed out of their lanes and forced to tack to the centre of the course. The port tackers were shortly followed by previous race winners Jolly Roger, although the far left of the beat proved the more popular choice. Another crowded windward mark (at one point draped in the spinnaker of Skilled Services) left many boats scrambling for clear air in another tight contest, but the early “gybers” once again benefited with the inside line back to the leeward mark at the northern end of Plymouth Sound. At the end of the first run, an inspirational call by ultimate race winner David Cooper allowed the overtaking of four boats to make the first rounding of the leeward mark. A loose cover allowed Jawbreaker to hold onto the lead until the finish, with Jolly Roger, Jeli and Mark Lewers’ Hijinks completing the top four. Throughout the weekend of some of the least forgiving racing seen by the J/24s all year, mistakes by any boat cost dearly. Although the seventh and final two-lap race of the event began smoothly, it was still very challenging given that the race management team said it looked like the closest start of the whole event from their viewpoint on the committee boat. Holding course on starboard at first was favoured by most, but tricky tides inside the breakwater made it easy to over stand when nearer the windward mark. Precise handling on both laps ensured local bastion Adrian Bennett’s second win of the event, followed by Jawbreaker and the most consistent boat of the event and overall winners, Jolly Roger. Our congratulations go to Roger Morris and his outstanding team on Jolly Roger for their efforts throughout the two days; they truly deserve this victory in Plymouth. It is also noteworthy that both the event winners and runners-up Cacoon (Nick McDonald) included father and son duos, which is undoubtedly an optimistic sign of the continuing development of the class in the UK for years to come. Third was David Cooper’s Jawbreaker, fourth Stig McDonald’s JELI, and fifth was Adrian Bennet’s SKILLED SERVICES. Praise must also be given once again to race officer Neil Dunkley who provided seven excellent races and indeed to all of his onboard assistants, mark-layers and the administrative staff of the Royal Western Yacht Club. Full results of the 2014 J/24 Autumn Cup may be found at http://www.halsraceresults.com/crs/crs.aspx?DSKey=1089&SeriesKey=126.

Over the past weekend, the Club Nautico Marinazul hosted the J/24 Mexican National Championship. A strong turn-out of 24 boats participated, enjoying the privilege of sailing eight races in total. Defending champion Kenneth Porter’s “S” managed to repeat their efforts to take home top honors over the excellent fleet at Valle de Bravo. On the first day, the early regatta leader was Juan Maegli’s GOOD VIBES, posting a 1-3-5-9 tally. One point back was Porter’s “S” with a scoreline of 2-8-2-7. And, just behind them was Tito Benitez’s LOS MISERABLES with a 7-7-6-5. The next day saw dramatic changes in the overall top three, if not the top five. Porter’s “S” crew took home a 3-1-1-3 to close out the regatta and take the championship with 19 points net. Behind him, the regatta turned out to be a battle for the balance of the top five. After knocking out a 2-3-2-4, Yon Belausteguigoitia’s CHIMERA grabbed the silver with just 23 points net. Five points back after posting a closing tally of 1-1-5-3-5 was Luis Alvarez’s TA’LENTO, happy to secure the bronze. Rounding out the top five was Maegli’s GOOD VIBES in fourth and Pablo Gutierrez’s DIGGER in fifth place. For more Mexican J/24 Nationals sailing information, visit http://j24mex.com/index.html.

Saturday, the last race of the South American Championship was conducted in Peru, whereby BRUSCHETTA (Brazil) was crowned South American Champion with 14 points. Second was SCARAMOUCH (Peru) with 22 points, and third GURU (Chile) with 35 points. The championship began with an average wind of 9 knots on the first official day of racing, and they managed to complete the first two races. BRUSCHETTA jumped out to the lead on day one. With an average wind of 11 knots, three races were held on the second day of racing, and BRUSCHETTA retained her lead. On a wonderful third day of racing with an average wind of 13 knots, competitors made two more races. Applying the first discard, BRUSCHETTA stayed in first with 6 points (SCARAMOUCH was in second with 14 points, GURU in third with 23 points, and close behind WAYRA in fourth with 24 points.) For complete results and photos, visit www.j24southamerican2014.com/web/.

Croatia’s Tomislav Basic took victory at the ISAF Grade 2 Alpe Adria Match Race Championship in Izola, Slovenia after an incredible final against Christian Binder (AUT) with all matches decided by less than a boatlength. There were perfect sailing conditions during all three days of racing with wind from 6 to 12 knots welcoming the ten teams. 10 teams to Izola, Slovenia. After 15 Flights in the Round Robin Basic (CRO) was in first place without losing a match and went straight to the semis. Teams from second to seventh place after the Round Robin went to quarter final sailing for three remaining Semi Final spots. Dejan Presen (SLO) second after the Round Robin won 2-0 against Lorenz Mueller (SUI). Philip Bendon (IRL) and Max Trippolt (AUT) needed 3 matches with Bendon taking the decider and the last Semi Final spot went to Christian Binder (AUT) who prevailed over Mati Sepp (EST) with two straight wins. The winner of the Round Robin Basic picked Bendon as his opponent leaving Presen and Binder for the second Semi Final. Basic went on to win in two straight while Presen took the first match but Binder responded with two wins to take the spot in the Finals. Meanwhile in the King Of The Castle Knock-Out Teams were sailing for 10th to 5th Place. In both Final and Petit Final there was exciting racing and the winner of each match was decided in the final few metres. Bendon took third place after a 2-1 Petit Final win over Presen and in the Final Binder took the first match with Basic coming back strong in the next two to take home the Title in the First Alpe Adria Match Race Championship. Basic commented after the win, ”This was the most exciting racing we had in years with unbelievably close matches.”
Results
1. Tomislav Basic – CRO
2. Christian Binder – AUT
3. Philip Bendon – IRL
4. Dejan Presen – SLO
5. Max Trippolt – AUT
6. Mati Sepp – EST
7. Lorenz Mueller – SUI
8. Bojan Rajar – SLO
9. Antti Luhta – FIN
10. Julian Kircher – AUT
For complete information, click here.

Thank you to Simon Grain for the following report: This year’s NSW States (Queensland, Australia) offered something for everyone, or in reality everything for everyone. From almost no wind in race 4 on Sunday morning to around 60 knots in Saturday afternoon’s thunderstorm, along with lightning, thunder and rain…a good decision by the race committee to close the show down after race 3. Saturday always looked like being windy, jib weather from way back. Although there were a couple of genoas being stretched on the course, the comment was that they weren’t really any advantage though. Looks like there were a couple of people taking a swim too, Sean lost Big Tim and one of the girls over the side when the lifeline let go. The default question was why the other two weren’t hiking hard enough to go in with them ….mmm questions being asked! I heard Jeanette also had a swimmer but don’t have the details. Tricky sailing with really shifty westerlies and a start line deep in Rose bay to a top mark to the north of Shark Is. Race two and a course change saw us and a couple of others head out to the left only to find that the top mark hadn’t moved more than a boat length, so we had a reach in around the island back to the top mark….so much for thinking I had picked a winner there! We were having our own little problems on Code—the boat hadn’t been raced for a couple of years and we had a few boat issues—new crew (trimmer Pete is used to steering a bigger boat and our training prior was in everything under 5 knots and how to use a motor to get back home) and of course the weather and the bloke on the helm (no wonder we won the handicap prize). But seriously, we improved with every race until the last two, and I have to thank my crew for the huge effort in getting up from Melbourne and racing the boat. As usual, we had fun and when you aren’t winning, that is what sailing is all about. Race 2 gave us all a chance to go downwind in a big breeze (for a change) and many boats took the no kite option…Terry, next time I am risking the national debt with the kite and you are coasting along without one at the same speed next to me, could you just please move away so it isn’t so obvious? But of course the front of the fleet is sailing away from us at light speed and as usual the bloody Black Prince is up there and will ask ‘where was I’ later, but this time he’s not getting it all his own way. Steve Girdis has gone cycling on pain of death from someone, and Robbie Brewer is out of retirement and driving Convicts and driving well, with two to one on Dave in Kaotic, he is the day winner. In fact, we are all winners when most of us get home before the next storm cell hits. So glad we are not racing in that. Not without some drama at the club and round the corner for the boats going back to the CYC though. It’s as black as…and then white, as the 60-knot front of the thunderstorm lifts the top 2 feet of water into the air around the boats in pleasant little Felix Bay. Some of us got ashore, and some didn’t. Vortex went ashore too, well done Sean in the crew tender turned rescue boat dragging Vortex off in the height of the storm. Sean, yes that’s the Commodore, organizer, tender driver, boat rescuer, crew rescuer and the guy that also comes third—makes me feel very humble! Check this out- http://youtu.be/eLcBjieN-H0. This year we have four boats from Cronulla, the fast developing fleet down in the ‘Shire.’ One might say a mixed bag of boats and sailors like anywhere, but a great group of guys and girls that love a good time and some hard racing. It’s been a process to get them to the harbor, but three have sailed up and Dave Mackay has trailed. Dave is the guy that won the big one in the Moths some…well quite some years ago. Known affectionately as “Magoo” and with a sense of humor that instantly puts you at ease and laughing, he is no slug on the race course and comes home fourth overall in Stockcar. Welcome to our world Dave, hope you come and play more often. And that goes for all our new friends at Cronulla—Barry Ryan in Pinot, Clinton Hood in CJ Constructions and Mick Reynolds in Slippery Fish who has worked so hard to get the Cronulla Js into class racing with us. Let’s get more of you to come and play. Sunday has dawned sunny and with a dropping westerly breeze, very shifty and getting very light, the Black Prince sailing Arthur Crother’s Kaotic with a mixed crew out of Melbourne bangs in another win to make the tally 2 all with Convicts. We drift around for a little while as the wind tries to make up its mind. Finally the wind changes to a southeast breeze, settling down and offering great top end genoa racing for the last two…or was that the last five races. Three practice starts in the last race had the RO threatening the black flag and that was enough to finally get a clean start away. Convicts they might be, but they nailed the last two and it was a done deal. Robbie Brewer and team on Convicts Revenge taking it out from Dave Suda on Kaotic and the Commodore on Sailpac coming in third. The team on Code Violation won the Zimmer Frame with Barry Ryan in Pinot and Geoff Cowen in Nokomis second and third. Congratulations to Kate Holmes for being awarded the Women on Water Trophy for many years of attendance and effort with Jeanette on various boats. No Thommo Cup this year as Ron didn’t show, so I guess Jeanette keeps it by default. Thanks to the team at RPEYC, the NSW Association, the help at the crane at RANSA and the effort from the Cronulla guys to get there, all the Sydney guys and girls that turn up and race and thanks to all the volunteers and friendly smiling faces that made the regatta an event we look forward to. For more J/24 NSW States sailing information, visit http://j24.com.au/.

Newport, RI, USA – September 26, 2014 – With just a few points between Will Welles Cougar (USA) and Mauricio Santa Cruz Bruschetta (BRA) there was no room for error in the final two races of the 2014 J/24 World Championship hosted by Sail Newport. Welles had used his throw-out on Thursday, so the only way to assure a win was to stay ahead. And that’s what he did. Sailing with Nick Turney, Richard Bowen, Daniel Rabin and Luke Lawrence, Welles sealed the deal with a 2, 5 to win the day and the World Championship with 38 points. Mauricio Santa Cruz’s Bruschetta (BRA) settled for second place with a total of 55 and points, while John Mollicone’s Team Helly Hanson (USA) finished in the show position with 70 points.

Welles tipped his hat to his team, crediting their crew work in addition to a little luck throughout 10 races over five days. “The whole mental aspect is huge,” Welles said. “There’s a reason why everyone on the team gets a trophy at the end of this.” Cougar had a solid week, but notched a 46 in Race 7. “We had a tough day Thursday, and it felt like the dream might be over.” Welles praised Danny for picking the team up after that score. “He said let’s not let it snowball. Go out there and keep fighting.” This led to a rebound in the next contest. “When one of us was lagging behind, we just threw a hand and pulled him up.”

Friday’s weather was sunny with wind speed from 10 to 12 kts out of the northeast. In the first race of the day, Welles finished second to Mollicone, while Greg Griffin’s Team Tarheel (USA) placed third. Matias Seguel’s Semi Pro (CHI) closed the regatta with a victory in race ten. Luis Olcese’s Scaramoush (PER) and Shigetoshi Shirahama’s White Squall (JPN) rounded out the top three.

The top 10:
1. USA, Will Welles, Cougar: 1, 6, 9, 1, 4, 4, 46, 6, 2, 5 [46] 38.0
2. BRA Mauricio Santa Cruz, Bruschetta: 12, 4, 10, 2, 1, 7, 9, 4, 10, 8 [12] 55.0
3. USA John Mollicone, Helly Hansen: 2, 24/SCP, 12, 10/RDG, 2, 9, 1, 10, 1, 33 [33] 71.0
4. USA Greg Griffin, Team Tarheel: 23/SCP, 7, 5, 3, 12, 8, 17, 8, 3, 70/DNF [70] 86.0
5. USA Travis Odenbach, Honey Badger: 23, 8, 2, 16, 3, 1, 2, 27, 31, 14 [31] 96.0
6. ARG Alejo Rigoni Gonzalez, Luca vive: 10, 25, 26/SCP, 4, 8, 2, 5, 11, 24, 12 [26] 101.0
7. CAN Rossi Milev, Clear Air: 8, 34, 14, 7, 17, 14, 14, 3, 4, 26 [34] 108.0
8. USA Mark Hillman, Sokokumaru: 4, 1, 22/SCP, 24/RDG, 70/DSQ, 6, 31, 5, 6,10[70] 109
9. USAJ Mike Ingham, Nautalytics: 27, 29, 3, 8, 11, 3, 37, 17, 21, 4 [37] 123.0
10. USA Anthony Parker, Bangor Packet: 29, 14, 6, 5, 70/DSQ, 19, 28, 15, 9, 13 [70] 138.0

Hosted by Sail Newport, 69 teams competed from 13 nations (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States). Photos are available on the J/24 Class Facebook page, and complete results at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=982.

Newport, RI, USA – September 25, 2014 – With marginal conditions and diminishing visibility on the ocean course, the Race Committee chose to sail inside north of the Newport Bridge for races 7 and 8 of the 2014 J/24 World Championship hosted by Sail Newport. Will Welles’ Cougar (USA) sailed his throw-out in race seven but came back with a solid six in race eight to hold onto the lead with a total score of 31 points. Mauricio Santa Cruz’s Bruschetta (BRA) is just six points back with a total of 37; and John Mollicone’s Team Helly Hanson (USA) had a another strong day and moved into third place with 45 points.

Overcast skies, cool temperatures and rain greeted the 69 teams as they sailed to the start. Wind speeds starting at 8 to 10 and built slightly out of the Northeast. The first race of the day was won by Mollicone and then Travis Odenbach’s Honey Badger (USA). Al Constants’ Blitz (USA) rounded out the top three for race seven. Joshua Bone’s Motorhome (USA) won Thursday’s second race, trailed by Nobuo Nakazawa on Gekko (JPN) and Rossi Milev on Clear Air (CAN).

Hosted by Sail Newport, racing continues for the 69 teams from 13 nations (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States) through Friday. Photos are available on the J/24 Class Facebook page, and complete results athttp://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=982. Race scores are provisional.

Over 60 sailors in a dozen J/24s competed in the 35th Irish National J/24 Championship hosted by Lough Erne YC on a lake in Northern Ireland near the Atlantic coast. Boats from all four coasts of Ireland and one from its centre competed. Read the full story, click here.

Full Results, click here.

Photo Credits: Peter Scott

Honey Badger Wins the Day

Newport, RI, USA – September 24, 2014 –After a struggle to set the line square to the shifting wind, the fleet got off two more races at the 2014 J/24 World Championship hosted by Sail Newport. Will Welles’ Cougar (USA) held the lead with a four, four respectively for a total score of 16 points. Mauricio Santa Cruz’s Bruschetta (BRA) maintained second place with a one, seven; and Greg Griffin’s Team Tarheel (USA) moved into third place with an eleven, eight. John Mollicone’s Team Helly Hanson (USA) had a strong day and moved into fourth place.

Teams battled in a two to four foot chop on the ocean course in wind speeds starting at 10 to 12 and building to 14 to 16 knots out of the east and southeast. The first race of the day was won by Santa Cruz, followed by Mollicone and then Travis Odenbach’s Honey Badger (USA). Odenbach won Wednesday’s second race, trailed by Alejo Rigoni Gonzalez on Luca vive (ARG) and Mike Ingham’s Nautalytics (USA).

Team Tarheel Wins the Day

Newport, RI, USA – September 23, 2014 –After a morning postponement ashore, the fleet got off two more races at the 2014 J/24 World Championship hosted by Sail Newport. Will Welles’ Cougar (USA) moved to the lead with a nine, one respectively. Mauricio Santa Cruz’s Bruschetta (BRA) moved into second place with a ten, two; and in third place just two points behind is Vernon Robert’s Gringa DC (Chile) with 30 total points. Uruguay’s Pedro Garra on Extasis is in fourth place, and Team Tarheel with Greg Griffin at the helm won the day with a four, three and moved up to fifth overall.

Teams battled today in more stable sea conditions on the ocean course in wind speeds from 10 to 14 knots out of the southwest. The first race of the day was won by Carter White’s SeaBagsj24.com (USA) followed by Mike Ingham’s Nautalytics (USA) and then Shawn Murray’s Roo (USA). Local Welles thrived in the second race with a building sea breeze and logged his second bullet of the event. Welles was followed by Santa Cruz and Griffin.

Hosted by Sail Newport, racing continues for the 70 teams from 13 nations (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States) through Friday. Photos are available on the J/24 Class Facebook page, and complete results at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=982.

Newport, Rhode Island welcomed 70 teams from around the globe with wind and waves on the first of five days at the 2014 J/24 World Championship. The top of the fleet saw some familiar names but also some fresher faces. Mark Hillman’s Sokokumaru (USA) and Vernon Robert’s Gringa DC (Chile) are tied at five points, with Hillman having the first-place advantage thanks to a bullet. Will Welles’s Cougar (USA) landed just two points behind in third place. Teams battled blustery conditions on the ocean course, with five-leg races and 1.5 mile opening beats. Local Welles thrived in the 14-16 knot breezes of the initial contest, which also saw 3-5 feet waves and larger swells. Fellow Newport resident John Mollicone’s Helly Hansen team followed Cougar in second, and Robert’s Gringa DC in third. Winds dropped slightly to 12-14 knots in Monday’s second battle, which suited Hillman’s Sokokumaru just fine as he notched that bullet. Robert’s Gringa DC moved up to the runner-up spot, and Pedro Garra’s Extasis of Uruguay followed in third. Hosted by Sail Newport, racing continues for the 70 teams from 13 nations (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States) through Friday. Photos are available on the J/24 Class Facebook page, and complete results are at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=982.