J Class Association announce UK schedule for 2012

by David Pitman, J Class Association 17 Feb 2010 06:11 GMT

The J Class Association is pleased to announce outline plans for a series of spectacular regattas in England during 2012 - the Olympic Year. This will be the first time in history that more than four of these imposing yachts will race 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 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, the traditional home of J Class racing in the UK during the 1930s.

Round the Island

The last race 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”.

This J Class event will attract many thousands of spectators. There are numerous headlands and vantage points close to the race courses for viewing this spectacular fleet.

The potential exists to have up to nine J Class yachts completed in time for the regatta. 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.

Potential Entries:

SHAMROCK V - Sir Thomas Lipton’s last yacht to compete for the America’s Cup. 1930
VELSHEDA - Built by W.Stephenson to compete alongside Endeavour. 1933
ENDEAVOUR - T.O.M Sopwith’s first America’s Cup challenger. 1934
RANGER - Replica of H. Vanderbildt’s 1936 America’s Cup defender. 2002
HANUMAN - Replica of T.O.M. Sopwith’s second challenger Endeavour II. 2009
LIONHEART - An original build of a 1936 Ranger design. 2010
RAINBOW - Replica of Rainbow built in 1934 to defend the America’s Cup. 2011
SVEA - An original build of a 1937 Swedish design by Tore Holm. 2011
ATLANTIS - An original build of a 1936 Frank Paine design. 2011

More information on the J Class Association website.