J/70 sailors from 19 countries prepare for battle on 2012 Olympic waters
by Andy Rice 21 May 16:47 BST
2-9 September 2023
Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships - Day 4 © Sportography.tv
As of the end of early entry, there are already 70 teams preparing to do battle on the 2012 Olympic courses venue in Weymouth Bay. Set to be the UK's largest one-design keelboat regatta in 2023, entrants are coming from as far afield as Australia, Mexico, USA, Turkey and Sweden.
Altogether, teams from 19 countries have registered to compete in the championship which starts on 1 September.
The last time such a fleet was assembled in the UK was the J/70 World Championships, held in Torbay in 2019. That week a British team led by Paul Ward emerged victorious in the Open category and another UK based team led by Marshall King/Ian Wilson secured victory in the Corinthian category.
Paul is again competing in Weymouth but this time is expecting even tougher competition.
"The J/70 international fleet continues to become ever more competitive and the gains one needs to develop are ever harder to achieve. We're looking forward to some really close racing on the Olympic waters in Weymouth later this year."
Phil Taylor, head of the organising Committee, said: "Weymouth is a great venue for this Championship with its famous bay, not to mention the attractions of the Jurassic Coast and Weymouth town. We're looking forward to welcoming all the international competitors."
Event website: j70euros2023.com