The J Class Association is happy to announce outline plans for a series of amazing yacht regattas in England during 2012 – the Olympic Year. This will be the first time in history that more than four of these excellent yachts will compete together in a fleet.
The outline plan has received a positive response from J Class owners and event planning is now proceeding. Many yachts in the fleet are now preparing to be on the start line for these 2012 events.
FALMOUTH
The first regatta will be based in Falmouth, Cornwall, hosted by the The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Races will be held in the bay and along the coastline.
SOLENT
The second regatta will be based in the Solent, hosted by the The Royal Southampton Yacht Club (RSYC). The Solent is the traditional home of J Class racing in the UK during the 1930s.
ROUND THE ISLAND
The last race, again hosted by RSYC will be held over the original course around the Isle of Wight, for the 1851 Hundred Guinea Cup Race, which is now known as the “America’s Cup”.
These J Class events will attract many thousands of spectators. There are numerous headlands and vantage points close to the race courses for viewing this spectacular fleet.
POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS
Nine is probably a dream too far, but five yachts sailing together would be magnificent.
An event of this magnitude could have a profound effect on yacht racing worldwide.
37m charter yacht SHAMROCK V – Sir Thomas Lipton’s last yacht to compete for the America’s Cup. 1930
39m sailing yacht VELSHEDA – Built by W.Stephenson to compete alongside Endeavour. 1933
130´ charter yacht ENDEAVOUR – T.O.M Sopwith’s first America’s Cup challenger. 1934
41.55m charter yacht RANGER – Replica of H. Vanderbildt’s 1936 America’s Cup defender. 2002
42m super yacht HANUMAN – Replica of T.O.M. Sopwith’s second challenger Endeavour II. 2009
43m luxury yacht LIONHEART – An original build of a 1936 Ranger design. 2010
40m sailing yacht RAINBOW – Replica of Rainbow built in 1934 to defend the America’s Cup. 2011
41.50 SVEA superyacht – An original build of a 1937 Swedish design by Tore Holm. 2011
47m super yacht ATLANTIS – An original build of a 1936 Frank Paine design. 2011