Regatta Promotions - Sailing Event Marketing

International J24 Class modifies regatta regulation for World Championship in Newport, RI

December 4, 2012 – The International J24 Class Association (IJCA) Executive Committee recently modified the World Championship Regulation number 4.3 to increase the number of available entries per level of paid members to help increase the potential participation in the 2014 World Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.  The change affects all countries with 26 members or more members.  The change was made due to an overall decrease in memberships throughout the world due to the economic climate that the US and Europe is currently experiencing.

The following Matrix will be in use for the 2014 J24 World Championships and will affect qualifying systems in each member country in 2013.  Each country should determine their potential World Championship Entries as soon as possible and clearly communicate to their members how the slot or slots will be filled.

New Matrix for IJCA Regatta Regulation 4.3

This change was not made lightly and hopefully achieves the goal of preserving the high level of competition, international feel and level of attendance the class expects for this prestigious event.  This modification has been granted, at this time, for the 2014 World Championship only.

The J24 Downeast Regatta has been awarded the honor of hosting the 2015 J24 North American Championship for the International J24 Class Association.

A proposal submitted by J24 Fleet 43, Portland Yacht Club and Handy Boat Service, beat out another proposal from Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa Florida last night at a J24 Class Association meeting.  The recent success of this event that has built participation to a high level; 4th largest J24 event in North America in 2011 with 45 boats.  The past sponsor and participant support of this event has provided the tools for our event to succeed at the highest levels of event management, both on and off the water and this has been recognized throughout the sailing community.

The J24 North American Championship is the second most prestigious Championship the International Class holds with the World Championships being the most prestigious.

We expect in excess of 45 boats for the 2015 event and increased participation at the J24 Downeast Regattas between now and then.

Stay tuned to www.j24downeastregatta.com for more details as they become available.

2012 J24 Downeast Regatta Wrap Up

Sometimes average is really good.  The fleet of 31 J/24s who raced in the Downeast Regatta September 8th & 9th must have thought so, at least as far as wind is concerned.

Saturday was a gear-buster, with many boats showing their keels at times as they struggled with the gusts up to 32 knots.  After three great races the fleet was more than happy to return to land and recover over a lobster, Gritty’s Beer and Double Cross Vodka.

Sunday was just the opposite.  Very little wind, just enough to tempt the Race Committee to send the fleet off.  Later, after drifting and dreaming for what seemed like forever, the engines came on after one race to push boats back to Handy Boat for the closing ceremony.

Congratulations to the crew of AL as they took the championship trophy and were crowned champions for District 1 and the State of Maine.

The next four places went to sailors from out of state fleets.

Second place went to Fleet 50 member Tasmanian Devil skippered by Steve Wood who with only four crew members stayed in contention in the breeze on Saturday and then won the only race on Sunday.

Third place went to Fleet 28 member Vitamin J, skippered by Ted Johnson.

Fleet 28 from Marblehead won the fleet trophy with Vitiman J placing third, Airdoodle skippered by John Denman placing fourth and XINGU skippered by Robert Kramer placing 11th.

Congratulations as well to the team of over 50 volunteers, led by Molly White and Jess Harris, who managed all the shoreside planning and organizing.

Click here for the full results

Click here for photos and videos

Top Ten Reasons to attend the J24 Easter Regatta hosted by Fleet 67 & Columbia Sailing Club:

1. IT’S SOUTHERN FUN – Three days of racing, whiskey sour reception, shrimp boil,  southern hospitality, BBQ and beer – plus warm air and water temps!
2. VALUE – All the above for you and your whole crew plus launch and haul and much more; for the low all-inclusive entry fee of $305.00 or $275.00 for US Sailing Members.  Register online now! and avoid the late fee…
3. FREE STORAGE – Leave your boat here after Mid-winters and/or after the event.
4. GREAT RACING – One Design J24s only! And new for 2012, PRO Richard “The Admiral” Dommel will provide excellent courses to test your J24 skills. Richard is a championship sailboat racer and certified PRO. Read more about his experience here. The regatta has averaged over 6 races over the last 12 years.
5. TRAINING – With the first “open” J24 Worlds ever coming up this fall, we will have experts on-hand to provide J24 insight and knowledge before and during the event.  Also we will have Kattack recording and replaying the day’s activities online and onsite so that you can have your tactical prowess critiqued and polished.
6. INEXPENSIVE & CONVENIENT LODGING – There are multiple hotels all within 5 miles of the club with rates as low as $89 per night.  There is a book of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn which very close to the club for $119 per night.  Check out our lodging page on the website for more details and other on-lake housing options.
7. AWESOME COMPETITION – Something for everyone, J24 crews of all skills attend this annual event.  Average attendance over the last twelve years has been 36 boats, making this one of the best attended events in North America. Already  11 boats registered; see who online now!
8. TRADITION – The Easter Regatta is nearly 50 years old! 2012 is the 45th annual event produced by Columbia Sailing Club.  J24 Fleet 67 has been participating in this event for over 25 years. Both are committed to putting on a first class event.  If you have or haven’t been here before you will experience this passion first hand in April.
9.  LOCATION – Central location to Florida, Mid Atlantic and New England.  Each year this event attracts boats from all over the United States. The event is also attractive for the northern boats as its much warmer here than there and for the southern boats its a great opportunity to show off their part of the world.

10.   DID WE MENTION IT WILL BE FUN!

www.j24easterregatta.org

As of April 4th there are 39 boats registered for the J105 North American Championship in Marblehead, MA.  Out of the 39 boats 10 are from different states including; MA, MD, NH, RI, TX, NY, NJ, FL, CA and CT and one other is from the province of Ontario in Canada.  Early entry estimates were hit out of the park and there is momentum to see over 50 boats attend this event.

Click the link below to see the current entry list:

www.j105northamericans.com

Free Sailing & Open House at SailMaine: Sunday, June 12, from 10-3pm, rain or shine. Free sailboat rides in Portland Harbor, shore-side boat rigging, and knot-tying demonstrations are among the fun activities.  Experience and learn what this nonprofit community sailing center is all about. Adults, teens and kids (age 8 & up) are welcome. SailMaine will provide life jackets but if you have one, feel free to bring it along.

Located on the Portland waterfront, past the Ocean Gateway Terminal at the end of the extension of Commercial Street (Thames Street), turn right and then left to enter long parking lot on the water. SailMaine is at the end of that parking lot.

For more information visit www.sailmaine.org or contact Sarah Helming, SailMaine Director of Programs and Events (207) 650-2085,   sarah@sailmaine.org