British boats in their best ever J24 Worlds performance
by Chris McLaughlin 17 Jun 2008 22:01 BST
8-13 June 2008
British crews take 2nd and 3rd, as Lucy McGregor becomes J24 Women’s World Champion
The J24 World Championship, sailed at Cannigione, Sardinia between 5-13th June, saw British crews making a real mark at international level and in depth. The UK fleet has developed international competitiveness since the 2005 World Championships were held in Weymouth and provided a catalyst to refit the GB Fleet of One-Design classics.
Bob Turner, the World Class Chairman, had an inspired week, with his GB crew working with Canadian helm - Pan American Games representative and North American Champion, Rossi Milev- to show exceptional understanding of often difficult local weather conditions.
The SERCO Headcase line-up included Royal Navy Test Pilot Steve Jose, UK keelboat squad member Jeremy Fowke and Dr Jon Pegrum a Formula One car designer for McLaren. The latter pair are products of the Castle Cove Youth Team.
Headcase is an interesting boat, built for multiple World Champion and now Volvo Ocean Race helm, Ken Read, by Rogers of Lymington. She has won the Worlds twice and came close to adding a third title this year. She uses Quantum Sails on a Selden Mast.
Taking third overall and first British-helmed boat, was Ian Southworth, sailing Inmarsat Hedgehog, another Rogers boat, dating from 1987, extensively restored to win the last three European Championship titles. The Hedgehog crew includes, Rolex Swan World Champion, Andy McLelland; Ullman sail designer, Max Skelley; business entrepreneur, Mike Kyte and Ian’s long time crew and Inmarsat executive, Chris McLaughlin.
Hedgehog uses Ullman Sails on a Sparloft New Zealand rig.
Completing the GB success was Yngling International, Lucy McGregor, sailing Jolly Roger. Her boat, owned by Roger Morris, was built for Ian Southworth in 2005 and placed 8th at the World Championship. Her crew included fellow Shirley Robertson Yngling crew member, Annie Lush; Maria Stanley, Bethan Carden, Mary Rook, Rebecca Marriott and Nicky McGregor.
Lucy used Ullman sails on a Selden Mast.
Commenting on the resurgence of British J24 sailing, Hedgehog crew member, Chris McLaughlin said:
“This is a vindication of all the hard work put in by Stuart Jardine to attract sailors in the run-up to the 2005 Worlds. The J24 provides competitive boats from a World-wide pool of over 5400 hulls to date – making it the Worlds most successful One-Design keelboat. The new and old boats are on equal footing. This year, first, second and third were old, whilst fourth and fifth were new”.