The J Class Association is planning a series of spectacular J Class sailing regattas to be held in England over 2012 which is the year of the London Olympics.  The three sailing events are sure to create a magnificent sailing spectacle and are to include races at the ‘Falmouth’, ‘The Solent’, and ‘Round The Island’.

As a result of the classic yacht regattas it will be the first time in sailing history that more than four of the spectacular J Class classic sailing yachts will race together in a fleet. This is the pinnacle of classic yacht sailing.

The idea to race the yachts has received a positive response from various J Class yacht owners. Now that the racing is to proceed, many yachts in the J Class fleet are now preparing to be on the start line for these 2012 events.

The j-class yacht ranger

THE EVENTS:

1. Classic J Class FALMOUTH
The first regatta will be based in Falmouth, Cornwall and is to be proudly hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. The classic yacht races are to be held in the Falmouth Bay and along the Cornwall coastline.

2. Classic J Class SOLENT
The second regatta will be based in the Solent which was the traditional and historical home of J Class racing in the UK during the 1930s, and is also a world center for the classic yachts.

3. Classic J Class ROUND THE ISLAND
The last race will be held over the original course of the 1851 Hundred Guinea Cup Race, which is now known as the “America’s Cup”. This course proceeds around the Isle of Wight.

There is no doubt that the English J Class Regattas will attract many thousands of spectators and sailing enthusiasts. There are numerous headlands and vantage points close to the race courses for viewing the racing from land. There will also be a selection of yachts available to charter to get out on the water and experience the incredible races first hand.

General Information About the J Class Yachts:

From the J Class Yachts Association: “J Class Yachts were born from the introduction of the ‘Universal Rule’ in 1930, which for the first time efficiently controlled the size and performance of yachts built to compete for the America’s Cup. Ten massive yachts conforming to the J rule were built between 1930 and 1937, although more were designed and tank tested. They were all but extinct, however three English yachts survived.

In 2000 the new J Class Association was formed ‘to promote, protect and develop’ the interests of these wonderful yachts. Today, there are now four yachts sailing with four more under construction.”

Please contact CharterWorld for more information pertaining to the J Class events and chartering yachts for the regattas.

The current J Class fleet consists of the following yachts:

SHAMROCK – A living sailing legend this beautiful classic sailing yacht was built for Sir Thomas Lipton’s fifth and last America’s Cup challenge. Shamrock V was Designed by Nicholson and launched in 1930.

ENTERPRISE – Enterprise was one of the best known of the US J yachts . She was built in 1930 as a defender for the America’s Cup challenger, Shamrock V. She was the first to introduce the ‘Park Avenue ” boom and also boasted lighter spars and rigging. Following a race programme against three other US yachts, she won the right to defend the Cup, which she did!

VELSHEDA – Designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1933 for Mr W.L. Stephenson, Owner of Woolworth chain of shops, Velsheda was built in 1933 at Gosport. She was Nicholson’s second design for a J Class and Stephenson’s second big yacht. This lovely J Class yacht was named after Stephenson’s three daughtersand she raced with the greatest names in classic yachting including “Britannia”, “Endeavour” and “Shamrock” between 1933 and 1936. During Velsheda’s second season she won more than 40 races and achieved an outstanding record of success at Regatta’s from Southend to Dartmouth.

ENDEAVOUR – Sailing yacht Endeavour has now been almost entirely rebuilt after initially being launched back in 1934. She embodies one of the most formidable and famous sailing yachts in the world that can be chartered. Endeavour pioneered the development of the Quadrilateral genoa, a two clewed headsail offering immense sail area and power, and still used on J Class yachts racing today. This a 130-foot J Class sloop was commissioned by Sir T.O.M. Sopwith and built at Gosport England to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1934 having prepared his campaign in Shamrock V. Sopwith applied aviation technology to Endeavour’s rig and winches and she competed against Shamrock V (then owned by Sir Richard Fairey) and the newly launched Velsheda (owned by W.L Stephenson) and swept through the British racing fleet and into the hearts of yachtsmen around the world around. Like many before her, Endeavour did not win the America’s Cup but she came perhaps closer to than any other challenger.

RAINBOW – The William Starling Burgess Designed J-Class Rainbow was launched on May the 15th 1934, at the Herreschoff Yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA. She was built to defend the America’s Cup against “Endeavour” in 1934 which she did so successfully.

RANGER – Referred to as the ‘Super J’ since her defence of the America’s Cup against Endeavour ll, Ranger has now been launched at the Danish Yacht shipyard in Skagen, Denmark.

HANUMAN –

LIONHEART –

ATLANTIS –