J Class Newport Regatta
by J Class 28 Jun 2011 07:23 BST
15-19 June 2011
The J Class Newport Regatta finished on Sunday 19th June with a thrilling final race; a wonderful tactical exhibition that showcased the very best of the J Class yachts and the very best of sailing. Thousands of enthralled spectators gathered at Fort Adams, Castle Hill, and the headlands around Newport Bay over five days, as Ranger won four races to Velsheda’s one.
The results, however, do not reflect the closeness of many of the races themselves, the first of which Ranger won by just one second on corrected time based on the new J Class Association handicap system. The regatta itself was superb, facilities were excellent and charming Newport was a perfect venue for this event.
“I’ll admit upfront that I’m a sucker for J-Class boats”, states David Schmidt, Sail World USA editor, “Really, how can you not love them? With lines that can melt a heart of stone, football fieldsof cloth, spars that seem to stretch to the moon and a grace that’s impossible to touch - friends, there is nothing wrong with the sight of one of these majestic yachts under full sail.”
With such a rich maritime history and the location of the first America’s Cup event in Js, Newport R.I. was the perfect venue for this regatta. The welcome from locals was overwhelming and many Newport sailors turned out to help manage and assist. It is hoped that the fleet will return to Newport for further regattas in 2014.
The Newport Regatta was the first showcase of the JCA handicap system, created by the Wolfson Unit at Southampton University. This new system is based on VPP calculations and was validated from towing tank results achieved from the 1930s prepared for Harold S Vanderbilt, who went on to commission the 1937 “RANGER”. Sparkman and Stephens USA office made this comprehensive document available to the JCA and the information provided the vital cross-check required for the Wolfson Unit to complete the figures for accurate handicapping of the Js in the interests of fair racing and good sportsmanship on the race course.
Ratings are issued for three wind bands, 0-9 Knots, 10-14 Knots, plus14 Knots above, and two types of courses, Circular Random and Windward Leeward. This set of ratings offers the fairest measure of boat on boat performance.
Corum Watches presented a wonderful perpetual trophy to Ranger, the overall winner, who also won a unique timepiece - a Corum Tide Watch.
The next big J Class event is in Falmouth in June 2012 followed by The Solent in July 2012, finishing with the ‘Hundred Guinea Cup’ race around the Isle of Wight on the original America’s cup course. More information on the Newport Regatta and the forthcoming Falmouth and Solent Regattas can be found at www.jclassyachts.com. For additional pictures or information please contact info@jclassyachts.com.
J Class enthusiasts and fans of these iconic racing yachts can also look forward to the prospect of a re-run of the 1934 America’s Cup races between the original ENDEAVOUR and the new replica RAINBOW when she is launched.