J70 North American Championship at Davis Island Yacht Club Sailor Spotlight: Steve Knoop

Davis Island J/70 Winter Series © Christopher Howell

The J/70 is arguably one of the most competitive one-design classes in the world. Some of the best professional sailors regularly race in the fleet. What makes the class unique is that, while it's incredibly competitive, everyone is willing to share notes and help one another improve.

As a Corinthian sailor, it can be intimidating, humbling, and deeply rewarding to sail against the best in the world. The class actively encourages pros to host post-race debriefings, and many freely share "speed tips." Steve remembers one day when Willem Van Waay hopped aboard his J/70 after he asked a simple trim question—"Willem immediately began marking our sheets and showing us how to optimize trim." Other top sailors, like Ron Weed, Jud Smith, Will Felder, Zeke Horowitz, Marty Kullman, Kristen Berry, and many others, are equally generous with their insights. Even owners of entirely professional programs, such as John Heaton, often share coaching notes. In fact, the J/70 class will ban professionals who act like "bad actors," ensuring the fleet remains both fair and collegial. The result is a rare balance of intensity and camaraderie. The J/70 class, in Steve's view, has few—if any—equals in competitive sailing today.

Steve became hooked on one-design racing almost forty years ago when he met a Chicago legend, Dick Stearns, an Olympic silver medalist in the Star Class. Previously, in college and through his twenties and early thirties, Steve crewed on several world-renowned "maxis" and had multiple "foredeck" stints with Buddy Melges on an Admiral's Cup One Ton. But once Steve caught the one-design bug, crewing for Dick in a consistent fleet of 30+ Tartan Tens and becoming his primary trimmer, he never looked back.

Steve describes one-design racing as "a moving, physical chess game—not only against your competitors but also against the weather—requiring intense concentration and teamwork". Further, he states that many underestimate the importance of teamwork, but a well-trained and disciplined crew is what truly makes the boat go fast. Having played football, hockey, and lacrosse at a high level, he always appreciated the camaraderie and discipline that successful teamwork demands. For Steve, winning is about collective excellence; the hardware is optional, as he gives most of it away to his crew.

When Dick Stearns retired from active racing, Steve purchased his own Tartan Ten and named it American Flyer. His success continued. He and his crew had significant accomplishments in Chicago's one-design offshore scene for over 20 years, stacking up numerous championship titles and finishing near the top of every major regatta they entered. Steve has also competed in hundreds of offshore races, including 46 Chicago-Mackinac races, mostly on one-designs. Last summer, he helped skipper a J-109 to win its class and placed 5th overall in the 2025 Chicago-Mackinac. He recalls it was one of his best races, as it turned into a 330-mile match race against another well-regarded J-109.

Steve sold his Tartan Ten and got a J/105 in 2014. After winning the season and the Chicago HH NOOD's overall in his J/105 the first year with the boat, a respected Chicago pro pulled him aside and asked if he wanted a bigger challenge—one that would push him to the next level— he advocated getting a J/70.

That winter, in a blinding snowstorm in Toronto, he found and bought his boat and named her American Flyer. The J/70 has tested Steve in all the right ways. It rewards crews who work as one, think ahead, anticipate shifts, and communicate with absolute clarity. There is no room for ego because the fleet is stacked with champions.

Steve states that "racing in the J/70 fleet has been humbling at times, but without question, it's been the best learning experience I've ever had. They say the older you get, the bigger the boat—but I've done the opposite, and I've learned more than I ever expected. The J/70 has been a fantastic boat in a tremendous class."

"There's nothing quite like planing in a 22.75-foot boat. I still smile when I recall my two former Navy Top Gun pilot crewmates laughing as we flew across the water at 18 knots".