An interview with Molly MacMillan White about the 2018 J/24 Nationals
by David Schmidt 3 Sep 2018 16:00 BST
September 5-9, 2018
Racing action at the 2015 J/24 North Americans © Ann Blanchard
When the topic spins to One Design keelboat racing, one boat stands prouder than the rest, namely the J/24, an iconic design from Rod Johnstone’s pen that has inspired some of the best level-field sailboat racing imaginable during the course of its proud 43-year history. Sure, newer, faster designs exist, but with over 5,500 boats sailing in 40-plus countries, the J/24 has attained the kind of critical mass that ensures it will always attract top talent to national-and international-level regattas, such as this week’s J/24 Nationals (September 5-9), which are being hosted by the Portland Yacht Club and which will be contested on the waters of Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay.
As with many One Design classes, the J/24 class is comprised of different regional fleets, but few are as active as Maine’s Fleet 43, which has organized (and populated) the J/24 Downeast Regatta on an annual basis for the past 20 years, and which also hosted the 2015 J/24 North Americans. Not surprisingly, this can-do group of J/24 sailors is helping to organize this year’s J/24 Nationals, which is promising to be one of the largest events in recent class history.
In a time when many big and small regattas are struggling to fill their scratch sheets, the J/24 Nationals capped their entry list at 50 boats, and these berths quickly sold out. As of this writing, the event had already established a waiting list that was seven teams deep, and while odds are good that most registered teams will arrive to claim their spot on the line, the fact that there are teams patiently awaiting admittance is proof positive that Rod Johnstone’s garage-built 24-footer truly revolutionized and impacted the sport of sailing, while also delivering a well-loved racing platform.
I interviewed Molly MacMillan White, regatta chairperson of the 2018 J/24 Nationals, via email, to learn more about this highly competitive regatta.
Am I correct that you have a capped entry of 50 boats? If so, why do you restrict the number of entries? Line management?
The reason for the cap of 50 (actually 51) is so that we can ensure the best sailing conditions for the event. The reason the event is capped at 51 and not 50 is because we gave a slot to the [2018 recipient of the] The Kelly Holmes-Moon J/24 Boat Grant Program. (This is the second year that the class has given a J/24 to an under-30 team to race for a season.)
We have two areas that the fleet can sail, one is inside the bay among the islands and the other is outside. There is plenty of space outside but often times we have better breeze in the inner bay and not a breath of air outside. Unfortunately, the inner bay will only allow a starting line for about 50 boats.
Do you anticipate that most entrants will hail from New England or are you getting entries from across the North America?
That’s an easy anticipation since the event is already full! About half the fleet is from New England, the other half is made up from boats around the U.S. and Canada, with a team from Argentina and one from Mexico.
Can you tell us a little bit about J/24 Fleet 43? I understand that it’s an active and highly competitive fleet—will most of these teams be competing in the Nationals?
Fleet 43 was started in 1980, [and] we currently have about 15 active boats out racing every Wednesday night. At its height there were 24 on the line. A few of the boats travel outside of the state to larger events such as Nationals, North Americans and Worlds.
We will have about 10 of our fleet boats racing in this year’s Nationals with other sailors crewing on visiting boats.
Ideally, how many races do you hope to get in during the course of the regatta? Also, will these be windward-leeward races or will you use triangles or island-tour courses?
Our goal is about six to eight races over the three days, usually consisting of four- to five-leg windward-leewards.
What kind of conditions can racers expect on Casco Bay in early September?
For years we have toted 12-15 knots with flat water but there has been the occasional year or two where the breeze has hit [the] mid-30s. [That] make[s] for great stories and pictures!
How big of a role does local knowledge play on these waters? Also, any tips for out-of-town competitors?
When sailing in the inner bay, current around the islands and our nine-foot tide play(s) a big role. That’s why we try to make sure to take the fleet outside at least one day.
The event organizers also host a local-knowledge talk that’s open to all competitors. (www.j24fleet43.org/pages/useful-links.php)
If you were a gambler, would you be placing any pre-racing bets, ad—if so—on who? Or, is there too much deep talent to make any real guesses?
In looking at this entry list, the boat that jumps out is Bangor Packet, skippered by Tony Parker. Tony finished second at the J/24 Worlds in Toronto this past September. However, there are other talented crews sailing in the event as well.
Many boats have already qualified for the 2019 Worlds in Miami so there could be some dark horses earning the three Worlds berths from this event.
Can you tell us about any steps that you and the other organizers are taking to help reduce the event’s environmental footprint?
Back when we hosted the J/24 North Americans in 2015, we earned gold regatta status from Sailors for the Sea for running a green regatta. Our hope is to do that again if not better by using compostable paper goods and composting all of our food waste.
[Additionally,] we supply each sailor with a reusable cup for the event, [we] use sustainable seafood and locally grown food, and [we] encourage recycling at the event.
Anything else that you’d like to add, for the record?
We are so excited to host our second National event for the J/24 class and highlight all that Maine has to offer; beautiful sailing, [an] experienced race committee, lobster, craft beers, and friendly, welcoming people.
We have the support of the Portland Yacht Club and Handy Boat Service, as well as several other sponsors that allow us to host this event for a very low, all-inclusive entry fee. We also couldn’t pull this event off without the over 100 volunteers from our fleet, club and community.