Multiple champions sign up for BMW J/24 Worlds at Howth
by Graham Smith 10 Jul 2013 12:41 BST
26-30 August 2013
Quantum Loop Solutions J/24 worlds at Rochester day 3 © Chris Howell
The current World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz of Brazil, 2011 European Champion Ian Southworth of Britain and the top two finishers in this year's North American Championship are among the leading names already entered for the BMW J/24 World Championships at Howth Yacht Club in late August. Almost 40 entries have been received to date from nine countries.
Santa Cruz, a four-time winner of the title, was so keen to defend his title that he was the first overseas entry in the competition. He also won the Worlds in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Ian Southworth from the Royal Corinthian YC in Cowes is already familiar with Howth, having won the J/24 Europeans there two years ago, and he completed a hat-trick of those titles in 2007.
Leading the US challenge will be this year's North American Champion Mike Ingham and runner-up Travis Odenbach, both from Rochester, NY, while among the leading Irish contenders will be the current National Champion JP McCaldin from Lough Erne and Irish Class President Flor O'Driscoll of the host club.
Luis Olcese from Peru and Japanese entry Koji Matsumoto represent highly competitive challenges as both are recognised as notable performers in J/24 circles and have finished well at previous championships.
The Worlds racing programme, preceded by three days of registration and measurement, starts on Monday 26th August and continues until Friday 30th.