The J Class expects a resurgence of activity during the 2026 season
by J Class Association 6 Feb 18:36 GMT
J Class World Championship - October 10, 2024 - Barcelona © Sailing Energy
After a 2025 season which seems to have been largely dedicated to consolidation, extended, enjoyable cruising and - for some, a little bit of competition - 2026 looks set to see a promising surge of activity for the historic J Class.
Two key elements are contributing to this resurgence after what was very much an expected quiet year following 2024's pinnacle event, the J Class Barcelona Regatta at the 37th America's Cup. Rainbow has been purchased by Admiral's Cup winning owner Peter Harrison who, along with his crew, is very motivated to derive maximum enjoyment from his boat, including an active race programme centred on class activities. And Louise Morton has returned to the helm of the J Class for a third tenure, intent on strengthening interest and rebuilding activity for a sustainable future.
Palma and Saint Tropez are the focal points
The focal points for racing activity, as chosen by owners and crews, will be the ever popular Palma Superyacht Regatta in Mallorca (24th to 27th June) and the French showcase Les Voiles de Saint Tropez (26th September to 4th October). Svea and Rainbow are expected to compete at both these regattas racing under the J Class handicap system.
Rainbow will be sailed by an international team drawn from Harrison's very successful Jolt Sailing Team programme, which is expected to continue campaigning their Mazi 72 and their 52 foot race boat campaign aiming for the Sardinia Cup this season and returning to defend the Admiral's Cup in 2027.
"The opportunity came up to take on Rainbow and Peter seized it. Rainbow is a good racing boat but from Peter's point of view we can also use the J Class as a corporate sponsorship platform as well for Richard Mille and that appeals. But they are such beautiful boats why would you not want to own one and sail one, given that chance. We will take this year as a stepping stone but really hope to build some buzz around the class, to hopefully get a few more boats out in the future. This year we are dipping our toes in the water with these two events and we will go from there. But we are very excited to be going racing." explains Matt Adams of the Jolt Sailing Team.
The Rainbow/Jolt team have an excellent relationship with the Svea owners and crew, indeed they are collaborating on other grand prix projects.
Svea are also looking forward to being back on the race course, "Last year was fun for us on Svea as we got all the way up the East Coast of the USA and cruised in the Caribbean it was all great and we got some big miles under the boat but we are looking forward to having this season bookended by regattas. We have a handful of new crew coming on and we are doubly motivated as Rainbow has been sold and Peter and the crew will bring a whole new energy to the class which is exciting." Says Paul Kelly, Boat Captain of Svea.
Since being re-launched last year following a substantial re-fit Shamrock V, the original, first J Class yacht to be built, has been increasingly active. Their spokesperson outlines, "In the late season of 2025, fresh out of the yard, Shamrock embarked on a shakedown cruise covering some 4500 NM, culminating in some great sailing at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. After such a major restoration we continue to optimise the boat and her systems whilst planning for full commissioning in spring 2026. For the season ahead we will travel to Greece for both the Cyclades Cup and the Spetses Classic Regatta in June, and look forward to the J Class Rendezvous being planned by the JCA in August. Meanwhile Shamrock has been invited to contend the Club 55 'Nioulargue' trophy at les Voiles, this year commemorating Patrice de Colmont, the founder of the Nioulargue and the owner of Club 55 who died in late 2025. Further ahead, we have a keen eye on America's Cup activities over the next 18 months in the build up to Naples 2027 - Shamrock V being the first J Class and the oldest America's Cup yacht in existence, she has been invited to attend the Louis Vuitton America's Cup to highlight the heritage and pedigree of the event"
Velsheda is reported to be taking a year off whilst a major, scheduled refit is being undertaken. In the meantime the build programme of J-2 continues apace and the new yacht is expected to be actively participating in J Class events in 2027.
Safe pair of hands
With Louise Morton back on board with the Class Association the intention is to align with the objectives and expectations of existing and future owners to build a strong future reinforced by the learning from recent years, what has proven to be successful and popular and what has not worked as well. The class has extended its thanks to Stuart Childerley who stood down last year having kept the class on course since February 2022.
Louise Morton enthused, "I am happy to be back with the J Class for the third time. I continue to return because of my strong connection to the Class and my desire to see it thrive once more. 2026 brings a new Owner for Rainbow and a replica in build to be launched later this year. It is important to look after all these Owners and make sure that we all work together for the good of the Class. Short to medium term my aim is to provide the best environment for those who do want to race, rendezvous and be active in the Class, and hope that in the fullness of time we can encourage the other Owners or new Owners to join in."
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