J/80 Champion Racing IMOCA 60 New York-Barcelona

J/80 champion Spanish sailor, Antonio ("Toño") Piris from Santander, is skippering in the New York-Barcelona Race in IMOCA 60s.  You'll have seen his name frequently pop up in reports of the extremely competitive J/80 fleet racing off Santander, especially in this last Winter Series.  Great training to keep you sharp offshore in a 3,000 match race!! Toño began sailing in the Optimist class and soon moved on to the Laser, becoming runner-up in the Spanish national championships in 1981, and later winning in the youth category , as well as taking part in the Junior IYRU Laser World Championships in Portugal. He has sailed on boats across many different classes, such as J/24s, J/80s, IOR, IMS, IACC, TP52, as well as having taken part in the building process of many of them: Hispania, Galicia Pescanova, EF Education y EF Language, España 92, Rioja de España, Bravo España, Caixa Galicia and Iberdrola.  Read more about this epic assault on a Trans-Atlantic record with two IMOCA 60s racing.  http://www.ny-bcn.org/en/index.jsp   

Benelux J80 Winter Series

Ms. Vroon's JOIE DE VIVRE Wins!

(Belgium)- After 18 races, divided over 6 racing days, the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) J80 winter-trophy goes to the JOIE DE VIVRE sailed by Laura Vroon.  Racing took place at the Grevelingen, Zeeland, a salty formed sea branch, closed off by the sea with a dike, with fair weather, smooth water and a moderate to fair breeze.  Up to the last racing day on March the 14th, the number one and two positions were uncertain. Before the last day Faber Munker from Twan Hanse was in the lead with only a few points difference with her closest contender.

So, on this last racing day of the winter series, stakes were high.  Not all the contenders fully applied the racing rules during the starts but no protests were fought out in the Jury rooms.  Port side of the course had a more favourable wind angle and the starboard side more pressure with hardly any noticeable advantage for either side.  After all, FABER MUNKER took place three, JALAPENO place two.  JOIE DE VIVRE took first convincingly with the three first places, and won the daily prize, too. That just did the trick for her to come out of this winter series as the glorious winner.  Third place overall was for Erik Scheeren's JALAPENO.

In total 18 boats have joined this winter series. After being launched only three years ago, the J/80 class in the Benelux shows a steady growth, in terms of fleet size as in the level of sailing.  For more info on J/80 one-design sailing.  

Race Charter J/80s At J/World San Diego

J/80 North American and J/80 World Championships are just around the corner right here in the US and J/80 sailing is gearing up from Coast to Coast. J/World San Diego recently entered four J/80s into the San Diego NOOD Regatta, adding to the class totaling 12 competitive boats. Bring your crew to San Diego and tune up for the season and big races this fall. Yachting Cup 2010

is coming up the first weekend in May. J/World San Diego is offering individual positions as well as full boat charters for the regatta. Contact us for more information at info@jworldsandiego.com or http://www.jworldsandiego.com  

BMW Sailing Cup 2010 in J/80 One-Designs

BMW Wins Sports Marketing Award

(Munich, Germany)- BMW won this years Sports Marketing Award in Munich with the BMW Sailing Cup Series on J/80s,  one of the most coveted prizes in the sports business industry.  It is quite an honor for BMW to be the winner of this award in Europe's biggest sports business conference- the Congress of ISPO SpoBiS held this year in Germany.  BMW decided earlier this winter to continue the series with the International J/80 One-Design fleet.  As a result, BMW will prepare their eight J/80s for the new season that starts in May with 14 events at different locations all over Germany in 2010.

The project, known last year as "SAILING CUP 2009", by the Bavarian car maker BMW has now established itself as the world's largest amateur regatta series.  According to the results of the online vote in Germany, it has BMW demonstrating that its marketing efforts with J/Boat's International J/80 Class in Germany is an ideal way to combine the positive images of the yachting experience with sales/CRM measures that measure impact on auto sales.

Manfred Bräunl, Marketing Manager for BMW of Germany: "We are delighted with the award. We are, with the BMW Sailing Cup, on a successful path and our commitment to yachting continues in the future. In the field of yachting, BMW can take the opportunity to demonstrate our technological competence and we can also share common values such as teamwork, innovation and high-tech to be experienced. Sailors and sailing enthusiasts are already looking forward to sailing the J/80s in the BMW Sailing Cup 2010."

The BMW Sailing Cup, which goes into its fifth season in 2010, has been an inspiration to the sailing community around the world.  Promoted under the slogan "pleasure is sailing" it has attracted sailors from around the world, including teams from Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.  BMW has established with the BMW Sailing Cup Regatta series for a sport boaters. Every year more than 1,200 sailing enthusiasts are participating in the event.  BMW has a long tradition in yachting and is a premium partner and presenter of major sailing events: Since 2002, BMW has been involved actively in international yachting and the America's Cup as a partner in the Team BMW ORACLE Racing.

For this year's qualifying regattas, the BMW Sailing Cup is handled by a combination of the local BMW dealer organization and a local sailing club.

TOUR CALENDAR 2010
May 1-2- Leipzig, Cospuden, Leipzig branch
May 8-9- Hamburg, Elbe, Office Hamburg
May 15-16- Northeim, Northeim Big Lake, Autohaus Leinetal
May 29-30- Munster, Lake Aa, Autohaus Hakvoort

For more BMW and J/80 Sailing Cup information.

  

World Match Race Champions Racing J/80s

Current World Match Racing Champion, Kiwi Adam Minoprio, will be racing J/80s in the Match Race France Regatta from April 6-11 in Marseilles.  Adam's signed on to Team New Zealand as understudy to Dean Barker.  It's Adam's unflappable nature that has earned him the call up from Grant Dalton to be Dean Barker's side-kick in Team New Zealand's two-boat development programme for the next America's Cup. "For Adam it's how fast is he, because you can be able to match race, but on these boats Dean's instinctively fast, there's only a few that are fast," says Grant Dalton.  "I'd like to think I'm fast enough. I've been sailing a long time, I'm always learning and I think I've got what it takes to make one of those Cup boats go fast," says Minoprio. At 24, Minoprio is the reigning world match racing champion, set to defend his title on the eight month long World Match Racing Tour circuit with his team Black Match Racing. First event is Match Race France in Marseille to be held in J/80s on April 6 - 11, 2010."  Time to prove you can beat the world's best on a J/80.  A boat that is sailed fast by many, many people worldwide- French, Spanish, Germans, Belgians, Americans, British.  Good on ya mate...master these like other J Champions before you (Ken Read, Ed Baird, Terry Hutchinson, Chris Larson, Dave Curtis, Brad Read, Eddie Warden-Owen, Francesco D'Angelis, to name just a few) and the "big ride" could be yours! Good luck!   

Royal Hong Kong YC J/80 Fleet

(Hong Kong, China)- J/Boats Asia and HYM (Hudson Yacht & Marine) are running at full throttle this spring building J/80's for the newly formed Hong Kong J/80 fleet.  Currently, 15 J/80s are going to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.  After a detailed look at competitive options in the market the J/80 was chosen because it was stable for the new sailors, but exciting enough for the experienced yachtsmen who wanted sportboat performance.

The long-term goal for the local Hong Kong and Chinese sailing clubs is to host the J/80 World Championships in 2015.  The buzz around the club is contagious, everyone is anticipating sailing the new J/80s in the fleet later this spring.  With the J/80 being built regionally in Xiamen, China, the club is also seeing the benefit of the factory support for hosting such an event in 2015 with the factory willing to supply 10 brand new charter boats for the 2015 J/80 Worlds.  You won't want to miss sailing in this exotic and exciting location!  

J/80 European Circuit Update

J/80 European Events ready to roll with strong competition.  Less than three months away are the J/80 Europeans on the famous Lago di Garda.  Leading up to the Europeans are national events that are not to be missed!  Starting with France's SPI OUEST Regatta off La Trinite, you will be treated to excellent sailing and 100+ boat fleets.  Next up are the J/80 UK Nationals in Cardiff Bay where the hearty competition, 50+ boat fleets and "dogs blown off chains" wind conditions can test the heartiest of souls.  For some R&R, you can then relax after these two marquee events with a trip to the Costa del Sol in southern Spain for the Copa de Espana in Barcelona for some tapas, sangria and Latin-inspired flamenco/ salsa dancing to the wee hours of the morning. See below for appropriate links to each event.  

J/80 Best Practices – Part II

Since publishing J/80 Best Practices Part I, many J/80s have undergone the seven-step inspection recommended annually for the keel/keel floor area.  If you have not conducted this inspection, we strongly urge you to do so before the coming season. Part II documents the damage found on a 1994 J/80 as a result of this inspection as well as the subsequent repair.  The subject boat is a 1994 J/80 that was purchased by its current owner in the fall of 2008 after 14 seasons of sailing with at least two previous owners.  The boat was run through the seven-step inspection process at International Marine, in Bristol, RI.... link to rest of article.  

J/80 Grevelingen Cup

(Oosterschelde, Belgium- Feb 7)- The J/80s started off their 2010 season in Belgium.  Here's the regatta reports from Faber Münker on J/80 NED524:  "Sunday morning. The alarm rings at 5am. Three hours later, we’re onboard our J80, Faber Münker (NED524). On the way we see the wind turbines next to the Zeeland Bridge barely turning, the Oosterschelde has the appearance of a mirror, and the car thermometer marks 2.5°C. That does not promise well.

After we changed the halyard of the genoa, we chug from our home port Brouwershaven towards Port Zélande. A porpoise accompanies us from the exit of the port until we dock in the marina. A good omen? During the palaver we’re informed that we’ll be sailing three windward-leeward races, that we’ll share our race course with the First 31.7 fleet and that we’ll be starting at 11.40am us usual. So we have some time to reheat ourselves and share a cup of coffee with our fellow J80 sailors.

Prior to undocking, we tune the mast in light weather setting to generate enough power in these light conditions. A half hour before the warning signal, a 13 boat strong fleet is present. A new crew on board Jachtig is fully prepared to make things hot for the rest of us.

The wind is blowing steadily 6 knots (90-100°). After the more than 100 boats of the different tour and race classes have started and the 31.7s have shown us the way towards the windward mark, it’s our turn. A quick wind and start line check learns us that the pin end is slightly favored. We win the pin with speed and gain immediately several meters on our closest competitors. We round the windward mark in first place followed closely by Joie de Vivre, Jachtig, Jalapeño and Juul. We are able to establish a loose cover on our pursuers during the three windward-leeward loops and finish the race in first place.

The second race turns out to be identical to the first one. We get off to a good start. The unpredictable shifts seem to favour the middle of the race course. However, based on local knowledge, Jalapeño and Jachtig head for the left layline. Their gamble works out fine and they round the mark in front of us. Sailing downwind we try to sail as a team: we (try to) minimize the usage of the rudder by weight-steering the boat and everybody has his specific task to keep the concentration level high: the gennaker trimmer informs the helmsman on the pressure in the chute; the forward crew member looks back for puffs and keeps track off the closest competitors; the mainsheet trimmer looks forward and weighs the different tactical choices; and the helmsman steers the boat for optimal VMG based on all the information. During the final leg, we gain a few places and we obtain our second bullet. Jachtig ends in second place, followed by Jalapeño and Joie De Vivre. In the middle of the fleet, the fight is just as fierce. Yes, Juul and Jippie J all finish within 30 seconds difference.

For the final race, the committee decides to relocate the pin end and to restrict the number of legs to two due to the freezing conditions. An overeager start gets All Ears an individual recall. The rest of the fleet is clear to start. Jippie J together with Jachtig and Jalapeño lead the way toward the windward mark. A good mark rounding and quick hoist enable us to fight back to first place which we maintain until the finish line.  We close the day with several meat croquettes – a local delicacy- and beers in Le Bateau together with the rest of the J80 fleet. The highs and lows of the day are discussed and tips and tricks are shared.  Results of this race, which is part of an unofficial J80 Benelux winter championship can be found here.  

J/80 AVEGA TROPHY

(Santander, Spain- Mar 14)- With a spectacular sunny day and a strong east wind around 25 knots average, the twenty four J/80s simply flew around the course.  Continuing their leadership in the J/80 Santander fleet, ECC VIVIENDAS raced by Pichu Torcida and YATES&COSAS sailed by Tono Piris lead the overall standings tied at three points each. Tied for third overall with nine points are Ignacio Camino sailing NEXTEL ENGINEERING and Javier Lopez-Vazquez skippering BANCAJA.  Fifth lies Alberto Padron aboard MABLE V with thirteen points.  For more Spanish sailing information.  Photo credits- ChapiFoto  

Become Better J/80 Sailors?

If so, suggests Peter Sundelin, former Olympic medalist and experienced J/80-sailor, you sail Lasers four days at Svartlöga, Sweden! He says that sailing and boat-handling dinghies like Lasers are the foundation to be able to sail all types of boats. In a dinghy, you get immediate response when you are doing right and wrong. Training is intensive and provides quick results.

Says Peter, "On Svartlöga we have 10 top well-equipped Lasers. We lend any personal equipment you need, wet suit, hanging trousers, shoes, etc. Several J/80-sailors have also been with us at Svartlöga. Happy to hear from them, you'll hear what they thought about the workout!  On 17-20 June, we have a course that focuses on racing. You who want to participate on the course, must be comfortable with the laser. The situations we are experiencing on the track in a J/80 in a day, you will meet in half an hour in a Laser."

You can read more on Peter Sundelin's website - http://www.sundelin.org.

Or, for more J/80 Sweden sailing info.  

J/80 Lacre Memorial Trophy

ECC VIVIENDAS Still Leading

(Santander, Spain)- With twenty nine  boats entered in this series, it has been difficult for any one boat to sail consistently well and maintain a leading position overall.  Witness the fact that some new players are in the top five and the three series leaders are only separated by six points.  This past weekend, Inigo Jauregui's GOLD SAILING was an example of this new blood, getting two second places for the weekend to jump into fifth overall.  Pichu Torcida's ECC VIVIENDAS is still leading overall followed by Tony Piris' YATES & COSAS and Jaime Piris' FONESTAR.

The J/80s probably enjoyed the best afternoon of racing so far this year. The cold weather in Santander finally gave way to much more Mediterranean balmy conditions and the sailors enjoyed a fantastic weekend of two windward-leeward course in Santander Bay.  The courses were fun since they setup the leeward mark close to Isla de Mouro and a windward mark off the Mataleñas beaches.  Northwest winds blew great intensity and there were some good-sized waves, too.

ECC VIVIENDAS dominated both races with two firsts.  With their two victories, the crew consisting of Pichu Torcida, Alex Muscat, Abelardo Quevedo and Juan González is placed just in front of YATES & COSAS sailed by Santi López-Vázquez.  While Y&C was leading going into the weekend, a fifth and fourth dropped Tony Piris four points back in the overall standings.  With two weekends still to go, it is still a  championship. In third position is FONESTAR, sailed by Jaime Piris, which could only get a ninth and third to stay on the podium overall.  They are followed by Paul Santurde's SPACIO 10 in fourth overall with GOLD SAILING in fifth overall.   Photo credits: chapifoto.com  For more Spanish J/80 sailing info.  

J/80 Winter Trophy Club de Mar

(Palma Mallorca, Spain- Feb 20)- On Saturday February 20, Club de Mar in Palma de Mallorca ran the final three races of the Winter Trophy.  Sailing well in their first regatta of the 2010 sailing season was the overall winner was the wildly graphic J/80 PORTCALL COMPOSITES.  With no meltemis to worry about and seasonably warm conditions, the island "nation" of Palma blessed the J/80 fleet with near perfect conditions for sailing in the famous bay.  Capturing the essence of sailing in these idyllic waters off the eastern coast of Spain was the remarkable photographer, Jesus Renedo. Credits- http://www.sailingstock.com   For more Spanish J/80 sailing information.  

J/80 Castro Ricardo III Trophy

(La Coruna, Spain- Feb. 22)- The second part of the Castro Ricardo III Trophy was held this past weekend at the Real Club Náutico de La Coruña.  The J80s sailed two races with little sea and gusty winds ranging from 7 to 22 knots, causing continuous changes in the leading pack. Proof of this was victory in the first race of IN ITINERIES skippered by Miguel Fernandez.  What was remarkable was that Fernandez, who was over the line early and circled back very late, caught back up to the leading pack at the end of the first run.  He ultimately won the race ahead of the MIUDO sailed by Carlos Pampín in second and ZEIK raced by the Zapata brothers in third. The second race was very close and was a constant battle between the crew of IN ITINERIES, MARINA CORUNA and MELTIME; nevertheless they finished in that order with IN ITINERIES winning.  For more Spanish J/80 sailing information.