2016 Archive







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FINAL REPORT: The Landsail Tyres J-Cup 2016 in partnership with B&G

J Boat Extravaganza

Final Report: The Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G

66 yachts from the J Boat range made up the highly competitive fleet for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G. This was the 17th edition of the J-Cup and four one design fleets were racing for their UK National Championships. Of the 34 yachts vying for UK Championship honours, an incredible 23 of them made the podium. The racing right across the fleet was incredibly close, with seconds deciding winners over the three day regatta.

J/88 UK National Championship

Gavin Howe's Tigris is the 2016 UK National Champion and was also awarded the J-Cup for the best performance at the regatta. Tigris had to hold off a spirited challenge from David Apthorp's J Dream, which finished runner up and also the 2015 champion, Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat, which claimed third. Paul Ward's team won the penultimate race to get right in the mix but a fifth in the final race had Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat just holding off Dirk van Beek's Sabriel Jnr and Richard Cooper's Jongleur. The competition in the J/88 Class was incredibly close, often with boats overlapped at mark roundings.

“ The last race was all about making sure we were ahead of the immediate competition.” commented Gavin Howe. “Without being too aggressive, we knew that if we got ahead of J Dream and covered them, we would win the championship. I have to say that we have new sails on the boat and our speed is very good and the crew worked together extremely well. To win the J-Cup is amazing and completely unexpected and a lovely way to end a perfect regatta.”

J/111 UK National Championship

Stuart Sawyer's Black Dog sealed victory for the J/111 UK National Championship with a race to spare but it was far from easy for the team from Falmouth Cornwall. Marco van Driel's Dutch J/111 Sweeny finished the regatta in second place, with fellow Dutch team, Red Herring skippered by Sjaak Haakman, finishing third. Last year's UK National Champion, Tony Mack's McFly, finished in fourth place. During the three day regatta six out of the eight teams made the podium, including Cornel Riklin's Jitterbug and Chris Jones' Journey Maker II, who both won races.

“The introduction of the two Dutch boats, has really mixed it up, they are definitely on the pace. In Race 7, we matched race Sweeny all the way around and coming into the finish we were covering them, it was super close. The team have had to be very precise to come out on top, we have been getting out early, practising our manoeuvres getting our transits, so that we could relax a bit at game time and enjoy our mantra of having fun. Black Dog will be going back to Falmouth and we will be back for the pre-worlds and the worlds. We will have American Swiss and Australian teams joining the Dutch for the Worlds and that will bring another dynamic in as well. It is great to be National Champions and that has come from a big effort from all of the Black Dog team. Roger our pirate has done exceptionally well on tactics, he has been up here a few times now, and he is getting to know the water pretty well.”
J/97 UK National Championship
Defending J/97 UK National Champion, Andy Howe's Blackjack II, scored two more bullets today, to dominate the class and retain the championship. Ole Bettum's Almara B III finished the regatta as runner up. Rachel and Robert Hunt's Jumblesail 2, won the battle for third with Richard Sparrow's Only Magic.

Andy & Annie Howe know how to enjoy themselves and so do the Black Jack crew who are always the life and soul of the party. “ We have had an absolutely amazing time at the regatta and we will have a big party tonight but to win at the J-Cup you have to have a good team and sail well on the water. We have been learning and working well together for some time now. It is all the little tiny things in sailing that make you a little bit faster than everybody else. Keeping the same team and building our level of performance is the key to that success and we are very pleased.”

J/109 UK National Championship

Joe Henry's Jolly Jack Tar finished the regatta with a 2-4 score line to take win the UK National Championship. The team are all serving members of the Royal Navy. Robert Stiles' Diamond Jem was runner up with David Richards' Jumping Jellyfish third. Newcomers to the J/109 fleet, Simon Perry's Jiraffe had an excellent last day winning both races to finish the regatta in style. There were also podium finishes today for Rob Cotterill's Mojo risin', Peter Nicholson's Jubilee and the original J/109, now fifteen years old, Richard Marsden's Judgement Day.

J/70 Class

With only one race sailed today in the J/70 Class, Jonathan Calascione & Seb Ripard's Harlequin were unbeatable in the 20 strong J/70 fleet. The Maltese-British team, including Royal Southern's 420 world champion Annabel Vose were pushed all the way by Simon Ling's RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire, the reigning J/70 Corinthian World Champions, whose team include the current J/24 World Champion, Ian Southworth. Charlie Esse's Baby J was third, with a crew including multiple Sportboat world champion and J/70 EuroCup champion, Ruairidh Scott. Congratulations should also go to J/70 teams that made the podium against three notable adversaries; Steve Northmore's Waterjet Precision Cutting, Clive Bush's Darcey, Greg Hall's Valkyrie and Allan Higgs EFS Energy.

IRC Class

Didier Le Moal's J/112, J Lance and Craig Latimer's J/92 Wildebeest V had a titanic battle for the class with half a point deciding the winner. J Lance won the penultimate race of the regatta and Robin Stevenson's Upstart was second, heaping pressure on class leader Wildebeest V. J Lance won the last race but Wildebeest V was second, just enough to win the class. J Lance was second with Upstart third. David Greenhalgh's J/92 J'ronimo took finished third in the last race to place fourth.


“The Royal Southern has been the home for the J-Boat fleet for a long time.” commented Key Yachting's Paul Heys. “ This year they have the great facility of the Prince Philip Yacht Haven with new walk ashore pontoons and the club is so efficient because they have hosted regattas so many times and they know exactly what we need. We have a great regatta marquee for our regatta gala dinner and we still have room for a proper dance floor and a top band and that is all part of J-Cup, we love to have a big hoe down at the end of the regatta and we thank the Royal Southern for hosting us and running such a fantastic event.”

The Landsail Tyres J-Cup was hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, their excellent race team led by PRO Tony Lovell and Dermod O'Malley, provided 45 races in the Eastern Solent, and superb facilities from their waterside club house on the Hamble River. Over 300 owners, sailors and guests enjoyed the Saturday night gala prize giving dinner, held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club with 7 piece band “Groove Instinct” rocking the house.

The 2017 J-Cup will be held in Torbay, hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club from the 17-19 August 2017.





Quick out of the Blocks

Day Two: The Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G

With five one design classes and a mixed IRC division of asymmetric yachts of similar speed, getting a good start at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup is crucial. The racing amongst the 66 examples of the J Boat design is nothing short of thrilling and spectacular. A stronger gradient breeze, piping up to 16 knots, provided near planing conditions for the light weight flyers. Only two more races are scheduled for tomorrow's final day and favourites for the four UK National titles are emerging. The J/70 Class win looks likely to go to one of two teams and the IRC Class looks like having a Scottish champion.

J/111 UK National Championship

Stuart Sawyer's Black Dog still lead the class after six races but the Cornish team did not win any of today's three races. Marco van Driel's Dutch J/111 Sweeny scored a 4-1-5, to retain second just three points off the lead.Black Dog is the favourite to win the J/111 UK National Championship but Sweeny is snapping at their heels.

J/88 UK National Championship

Gavin Howe's Tigris has opened up a four point lead for the championship, scoring a 2-1-4 today but the results don't tell the full story. After being called back for a premature start in Race 5, Tigris played the shifts extremely well to come back to take the gun. David Apthorp's J Dream scored a 4-3-3 today to retain second place. Current J/88 UK National Champion, Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat, scored two bullets today to move up to third and Richard Cooper's Jongleur recovered from a poor Race 4 to post two second places to move up to fourth.

J/97 UK National Championship

Defending J/97 UK National Champion, Andy Howe's Blackjack II, scored three straight bullets today virtually assuring they retain the UK National Championship. Ole Bettum's Almara B III scored a 4-2-2 to give a cushion for second place. Richard Sparrow's Only Magic and Rachel and Robert Hunt's Jumblesail 2, have a real fight on for third. Both are tied on points but Only Magic is ahead on countback.

J/109 UK National Championship

Joe Henry's Jolly Jack Tar continued their winning ways, taking the gun in the first race of the day but Robert Styles Diamond Jem rolled up their sleeves and fought back to win the last two races, breaking the Navy team's winning streak. David Richard's Jumping Jellyfish scored a 2-3-2 today to move up to third place.


J/70 Class

A 1-2-1 score line from Calascione & Ripard's Harlequin in the 20 strong J/70 fleet, puts the team three points ahead of the class with two more races scheduled for the regatta. Team RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire, skippered by Simon Ling, started the day well to match the class leaders with a 2-1 but a fifth in the final race of the day has left the team with it all to do tomorrow. Charlie Esse's Baby J is winning the battle for third, scoring a 4-4-3 today to open up a big gap on the chasing pack.

IRC Class

Craig Latimer's all Scottish team scored a 1-2-1 today to take a up a dominant position in the class but the score board could have been very different. Didier Le Moal's J/112, J Lance was leading the first race of the day but made a navigational error to drop back to 10th for the race. The team bounced back with a win in the next race and was four seconds off winning the last. J Lance did enough to regain second place, just 1.5 points ahead of Robin Stephenson's J/92S Upstart.

“We only started racing the J/92 last season and it has been great to come down to the Royal Southern and race against other J/92s.” commented Craig Latimer. “We don't really get the chance to race boats that are similar in Scotland, so coming here really let's us know where we are. The results don't really show what is happening as whilst we have been winning a few races, it has been extremely close on the water. I must say, we have had a really warm welcome at the regatta, and Wildebeest will be competing at a few others whilst we are based in Hamble.”

After racing, the North Sails U Service team delivered a video racing debrief. Led by Frank Gerber with in put from North Sails keel boat expert Dave Lenz and multiple sportsboat world champion, Ruairidh Scott. The debrief used areal drone footage supplied by Ollie Mellor and the two professional sailors delivered a master class of expert advice focusing on starts and boat positioning. The Royal Southern Regatta Marquee was a hive of activity with hundreds of sailors enjoying a pint or two and regatta supper. The J-Cup daily was very well attended with prizes donated by regatta sponsors. Racing at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup concludes tomorrow, Saturday 11 June with two races scheduled for all classes. Tickets are still available for Saturday nights gala prizegiving dinner, where a 7 piece band “Groove Instinct” will rock de house!



 DAY ONE REPORT: Landsail Tyres J-Cup 2016

Sunshine Opener

Well over 400 sailors enjoyed a fantastic start to the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G. Despite a forecast of very light winds, an early morning sea fog burnt off, as an easterly breeze of five knots piped up to over 14 knots with bright sunshine by the end of the day. There were three races for all six classes in the Eastern Solent, and with five one design classes and a tight rating band for the IRC Fleet, races were won by seconds with thrilling encounters across the fleet of 66 J-Boats.

J/111 UK National Championship

The eight J/111s enjoyed highly competitive racing on the first day of the regatta, Stuart Sawyer's team from Falmouth, racing Black Dog lead the class, having won two of today's races, just ahead of two Dutch J/111s. Black Dog got off the line well nailing the pin end in the first race of the day, and extended into clear air to take the first race. However in the second race, Black Dog over shot the pin end and turned around to start behind the fleet, but fought back by anticipating a wind shift to take the lead on the last lap. Marco van Driel's Dutch J/111 Sweeny performed well scoring three podium finishes, including a win in the last race to end the day just two points behind Black Dog. Sjaak Haakman's team racing Red Herring, also from the Netherlands, is third after the first day of racing.

J/88 UK National Championship

Gavin Howe's Tigris and David Apthorp's J Dream had a terrific battle at the front of the J/88 fleet. J Dream won the first race, but after three races, Tigris holds a single point lead having won the last two. Richard Cooper's Jongleur had a consistent day to finish third.

Gavin Howe bought Tigris late last year, after racing in the J/70 fleet. “We are pleased with today's results, especially our boat speed. We are quite a heavy crew and when we saw today's forecast was for light winds we thought we might be at a disadvantage. However the wind built during the day, touching over 14 knots by the end. If it is light tomorrow, we may not do as well, so we are taking nothing for granted.”

J/97 UK National Championship

Defending J/97 UK National Champion, Andy Howe's Blackjack II, scored a second and two first today to lead the class. Ole Bettum's Almara B III scored three podium finishes to end the day in second place. Richard Sparrow started the day with a race win, and ended the day in third place, just a point ahead of Rachel and Robert Hunt's Jumblesail 2.

J/109 UK National Championship

Joe Henry's Jolly Jack Tar lead the class after a polished performance in today's three races. Scoring three wins to dominate the first day. Robert Styles Diamond Jem scored well in every race, to take second after the first day's racing. Peter Nicholson's Jubilee finished the day in third.

“This is the first time that this crew has sailed together, we are all serving in the Royal Navy.” commented Joe Henry. “Jolly Jack Tar was third in the J-Cup last year and this time we are here to win it. I don't think we did anything special today, we just tried to avoid mistakes and sail a clean race. Except for a bad start by me in Race 2, we achieved our goal. After starting late, which was my fault, our heads didn't go down and we managed to read the change in the tide better than others to get back into a winning position.”

J/70 Class
In the 20 strong J/70 fleet, two teams dominated the first day of racing. Calascione & Ripard's Harlequin lead the class by virtue of a 2-2-1 score line, but the Maltese/British team was pushed all the way by Team RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire. Led by skipper Simon Ling, the team won the first two races today, but placed fifth in the final race to finish the day second in the class.

“Spitfire is quick.” commented Malta's Seb Ripard. “In Malta, we have five J/70s but to come here and race in a big fleet with a lot of well sail boats, is a great way to improve our performance. We are setting our sights on the 2017 J/70 Worlds and the J-Cup is an essential part of our development.”

“The J/70 Worlds in San Francisco is the aim and the J-Cup is a big part of that build up.” commented Spitfire's Simon Ling. “The team have been together for a while now and that really helps, especially with communication and getting our starting routine absolutely right. It was great to have Harlequin right at us today, but there are plenty of boats in this fleet who can win races.”

IRC Class

A mixed fleet of 12 J Boats competed under the IRC Rating System, to produce incredibly close results. Craig Latimer's Scottish team racing J/92 Wildebeest top the leader board after three races but only just. The first race set the standard with Wildebeest tying after time correction with last year's J-Cup winners, Robin Stephenson's J/92S Upstart. Robin's team finished the day just a point behind Wildebeest. Making their UK racing debut, J/112E J Lance, skippered by Didier Le Moal scored a 4-2-1, placing third, only half a point behind Upstart.

After racing, the North Sails U Service team delivered a video racing debrief. Led by Frank Gerber with in put from One Design specialist, Jeremy Smart, and expert keel boat exponent, Dave Lenz. The Royal Southern Regatta Marquee was buzzing with stories of today's racing prior to the J-Cup daily prize giving and sailors' supper. Racing continues tomorrow, Friday 10 June with three races scheduled for all classes. 


Over 60 yachts are expected for The Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G, exclusively for racing yachts of the J Boats brand, and this year will incorporate a record four UK National Championships for the J/88, J/97, J/109 and J/111. Besides the four National Championships, an impressive fleet of J/70 Sportsboats will be racing, as well as other J Boats racing under the IRC Rating system.
Three days of exciting and highly competitive racing will be complimented by lively shoreside entertainment at the newly constructed Royal Southern Yacht Club’s Prince Philip Yacht Haven. The superb facility will be home to The Landsail Tyres J-Cup for the regatta, with well over 400 sailors enjoying the hospitality of the famous club on the River Hamble.
J/111 Class
Marco van Driel's Dutch team racing Sweeny will be racing with the top British J/111s including the current UK National Champion, Tony Mack's McFly. Last year's runner up, Martin Dent's JElvis is as strong as ever and Stuart Sawyer's Black Dog, the winner of a hotly contested Vice Admiral's Cup, is also in great form. Cornel Riklin's J/111 Jitterbug was second only on countback to Black Dog in this year's Vice Admiral's Cup and has been part of the J/111 fleet for several years.
“We are all very much looking forward to the J-Cup. As every year we expect it to be a tough one design test of how our crew and boat are shaping up against our J/111 competitors. This year it will be particularly important as we sail our National Championships during the J-Cup and the event is a key part of our preparation for the J/111 Worlds in August. We are looking forward to some great racing on the water and fun partying on shore during the J-Cup.”
J/88 Class
The J/88 Class will be competing for their UK National Championship. Last year's winner of the inaugural event, Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat is back to defend the title.
“We are expecting tough competition with at least four new boats in the fleet.” commented Paul Ward. “The J/88 Class is growing and we have 10 boats in the Solent, all racing regularly. The boat is really fast downwind in a big breeze, we are lighting it up and breaking the speed limit with everyone at the back of the boat wearing big grins and loving the ride! The Key Yachting team do a great job looking after all of the J Boat owners and crew and the J-Cup is one of the biggest regattas in the Solent. We meet up with everyone, from the J/70s all the way through the fleets to the J/111s. With the new Yacht Haven at the Royal Southern it will be a great venue and a great atmosphere on shore. I am looking forward to some sunshine and a few dark 'n stormies at the bar!”
J/109 Class
The J/109 fleet is also set to have a significant number of teams racing for their National Championship with eleven boats among the early entries, including Vice Admiral's Cup winner, Diamond Jem, skippered by Robert Stiles. Competing at The Landsail Tyres J-Cup in the J/109 Class, for the second time, will be Simon Perry's Jiraffe.
“We bought the J/109 for a combination of one design racing and family cruising in the Solent. It's been a perfect boat to introduce my teenaged children to yacht racing. We did the J-Cup last year, but it was literally our first sail on the boat, so we're hoping our subsequent experience at the winter and spring series will result in an improved result. But most of all, we're hoping for some good one design racing at the J-Cup.”

J/97 Class
The J/97 National Championship provides the opportunity for J/97 owners to gather from all over the UK. Andy Howes' Blackjack II will be defending their championship win from last year.
“The J-Cup has always been the must do event of the year for us.” commented Andy. “It is also our J/97 Nationals and gives us a rare chance to do some one design racing. Often this will be the only event we race against some teams who are coming from further afield, so a nice chance to renew some old friendships, and of course rivalries. The social is always great and an important part of the event. We always aim to race hard and party hard. Obviously we know the race area well so that’s a plus and while it’s great to go on a road trip it gives us more time not having to deliver the boat. (particularly after the Saturday night party!”
J/70 Class
With a significant number of teams from the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Thames, a bumper fleet of over 20 J/70 Sportsboats is expected for The Landsail Tyres J-Cup. It is an integral part of the UK J/70 calendar.
Team Spinnaker Wealth Management is a new J/70 team, skippered by Nigel Evans who is also the social secretary for the J/70 UK Fleet. “I'm driving the boat for the first time, so it's a steep learning curve, but one design racing is always the most fun in my opinion, and we enjoy very close racing where you have to be be on top of your game, all the time. As social secretary, we will be making sure the class have as much fun off the water as on it, and continue to build the friendships that already exist, as well as introduce the new owners to the other competitors, and share racing tips on how to progress in the fleet as quickly as possible. It is always a well organised event and this year it returns to the Southern, the 'home club' of the event, but we usually follow the event to any destination.”
J/70 Waterjet Precision Cutting is skippered by Steve Northmore with a team from Plymouth: “We really enjoy meeting up with lots of J/70 teams and it is also great to have other J Boats at the regatta, as we have raced a variety of J Boats and it is nice to meet up with old friends. Our crew is made up of two guys I have sailed a lot with over many years; Keith Davis and Nigel Gray and we get on very well, both on the boat and ashore. Our fourth member is new, he is our tactician James Ellis, a very good young dinghy sailor and respected RYA coach, also from Plymouth originally. The social side of the J-Cup is great, especially as there is something different each night.”
Pictures, reports and more for The Landsail Tyres J-Cup will be available: For social media updates for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup: www.facebook.com/TheJCup/ and www.twitter.com/jukracing


Discounted berthing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club for the 2016 Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G!

We're thrilled to let you know that we are now in a position to offer J-Cup competitors discounted berthing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club for the duration of the regatta!

The reduced rate is £1.75/m per night (down from £3.70/m for visitors). This reduced fee is partially funded by the club and by Key Yachting.

Berthing is available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Tim in the Sailing Office to book on 023 8045 0302 or emailsailing@royal-southern.co.uk


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2015 Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G
News Archive

J-Boat Spectacular!
The final day of the 2015 Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G was nothing short of spectacular. With 20 knots, gusting 25 out of the southwest, the race course was festooned with J-Boats surfing downwind in a full on foam up. There were thrills and spills right across the 67 J-Boat Fleet in the big conditions. Boat handling was at a premium and today's high performers harnessed the breeze, staying under control downwind and upwind hiking the boat flat and keeping good sail trim.




In IRC B Robin Stevenson from Brighton, racing J/92, Upstart had a perfect score for the regatta, winning all four races. Robin Stevenson's Upstart was the only team to score a perfect result and was awarded the J-Cup for their performance.



“I have been to quite a few J-Cups and Key Yachting put on a great event.” commented Robin Stevenson. “I have to hand it to the whole crew, they all sailed exceptionally well as a team and it was exceptionally breezy for the last day and we held it all together really well. I am delighted for everyone of the team, it was a great performance.”



 In the J/92 Class, David Greenhalgh's Hamble based J/92, J'ronimo made the podium in every race to claim second place and Robert Salter's J/92, Jackdaw was third. Top performing J/80 was Rachel Hunt's Hamble based Jumblesail.



Rachel Hunt, skipper of Jumblesail is the social secretary for the J/80 UK fleet. “It would have been great to have more J/80s participating and we hope to have at least 14 taking part in Cowes Week.” commented Rachel. “The J-Cup has been part of our honeymoon, which is a little unusual but I wouldn't have it any other way, the atmosphere ashore and the racing has been very memorable.”



Stuart Sawyer's Cornish team racing J/111 Black Dog was the winner of IRC A and the J/111 Class with Londoner Chris Body racing J/111 Icarus in second place with five podium finishes for the regatta. Cornell Riklin Lymington based J/111, Jitterbug was third.



“That was awesome, a fantastic event.” commented Stuart Sawyer. “Sunny, windy and a great competition that was well organised – champagne sailing.”



In the Lifedge J/109 National Championship, 17 J/109s had an intense battle with Ian Nagle's Royal Cork YC team, racing Jelly Baby, taking the crown for the open event. Tony Dickin's Hamble based J/109, Jubilee scored a first and a second today and a dramatic tie with Joe Henry's Jolly Jack Tar to claim second for the championship. Alan Bennett's Dorset team racing J/109 Blue Jay of Poole was third for the regatta.



“To go up on the stage with all the team and win the championship was fantastic, a great moment.” commented Jelly Baby's Ian Nagle. I couldn't hope for a better crew and we are delighted we came over and I hope that we will get a lot of boats over for Cork Week next year. We came here because we had done most of the events in Ireland and we wanted a different challenge.”



In the J/70 class Geoff Carveth from Warsash, helming Gill Race Team, was fully launched in the fast conditions, producing text book starts, power upwind and scorching speed off the breeze, Gill Race Team scored six bullets for the regatta to win by a hansom margin. Jamie Holmes' J/70, Jika had a great last day on the water, blotting Gill Race Team's perfect score line, winning the penultimate race of the regatta. Patrick Liardet's J/70, Cosmic, based in Hamble, had a consistent series to claim third place and the Corinthian prize for an all amateur crew. Ian Wilson, owner of Gill Race Team spoke about the experience.



“It was awesome, off the scale. Today was just fantastic, we were a little bit worried coming out today, as we could see standing waves, but once we got out there and started to send it, well I am speechless. I spoke to Geoff after racing and we agreed it was one of the best days we have ever had on the Solent and we have both sailed here for years. This is the last serious competition before we go to the worlds and to mix it up with 19 boats was perfect for putting the final bits of training into place before we go to La Rochelle.”



Paul Ward from Itchenor, racing J/88 Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat won two of today's races to win the inaugural J/88 National Championship. Stewart Hawthorn's J/88 Ji Fi scored six podium finishes for the series to place second, just a point ahead of David Apthorp's J/88 J-Dream.



“It is really great to be the first name on that trophy, racing with a great group of people in a fun boat.” smiled Paul Ward. “We are looking forward to more people joining the class, so we can have a bigger fleet next year. This regatta has helped us find out how to sail the J/88 faster and that is down to racing against some good opposition, we feel really excited and we are looking forward to the next regatta.”



Andy Howe's team racing Blackjack II are the new Fastnet Marine Insurance J/97 National Champions having scored three bullets in the five race series. However it was far from easy for the Hamble based team; every race was won by seconds. Norwegian skipper, Ole Bettum racing J/97 Alamara B III claimed second in class in dramatic style by winning the last race of the series to edge ahead of Richard Sparrow's J/97, Only Magic on countback



“It feels great.” said Blackjack's Andy Howe. “We have had three days of partying really hard and then focusing on the water – we really smashed it. Today we took a risk and went for the big kite, it was pretty hairy downwind but all in all - fantastic!”



Chris Thomas, Sailing Secretary at the Island Sailing Club commented. “It has been an absolute pleasure to have the J-Cup at the club, at we hope that they have enjoyed the regatta. The J-Boat family are a credit to sailing, highly competitive on the water and great fun off the water. We hope that all of the sailors will get the chance to visit the club in the future and fair winds to all for the future.”



After racing competitors at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup enjoyed a Gala Awards Ceremony with supper at the Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre. Well over 300 party revellers danced the night away to live music late into the evening.



No wind but not a day wasted

The Solent weather refused to play ball and racing for Day Two at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G. Lack of wind forced the race committee to abandon racing at 3 p.m. but the day was not wasted.
Competitors remained ashore and there was good banter in Cowes Yacht Haven and the Island Sailing Club. During the afternoon, competitors gathered in the Lower Marquee at the Island Sailing Club for the North ‘U’ fully Interactive briefing at the Island Sailing Club. 
Presented by Frank Gerber and Ed Hill, and assisted by Jeremy Robinson and Kelvin Matthews, competitors at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup were played videos of action from Day One of the regatta, with analysis of tips and tricks designed to improve performance in areas such as starts, sail trim and boat handling.
Racing at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G will continue tomorrow, Saturday 13th June, with an earlier start of 09:30.
Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G

June 11 – Day One Report

Sunsplash Start

The central Solent delivered spectacular racing conditions for the first day of the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G. An easterly to south easterly breeze, oscillating 20 degrees during the day, kept the sailors racing the 67-J Boat fleet on their toes. Warm sunshine and a solid breeze of fifteen knots had the high performance J-Boats surfing at double digit boat speeds. Smart starts and getting the right side of the tide and the shifts were the key to success, as well as downwind boat speed and slick mark roundings.

Three teams remain unbeaten after the first day of racing at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup. Robin Stevenson's J/92, Upstart was in impressive form winning all three of today's races and Ian Nagle's Royal Cork YC team, racing Jelly Baby tops the leader board for the Lifedge J/109 National Championship. Geoff Carveth's Gill Racing Team is unbeaten in the high performance J/70 Class.

The inaugural J/88 National Championship got off to a highly competitive start with three different teams winning today's races. Stewart Hawthorn's Ji Fi won the first race by 26 seconds. Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat won the second race by just 10 seconds and David Apthorp's J-Dream won the last race of the day by just 6 seconds. Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat lead the J/88 National Championship by a single point after three races.

“A cracking day on the water.” smiled Paul Ward, skipper of J/88 Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat. We have been looking forward to racing with a good fleet of J/88 for some time and today was really exciting with just a few boat lengths separating the leaders the whole way around the race track. We will be working on our manoeuvres and perhaps being a little less conservative judging lay lines in the tide, but all in all, we are very happy with our performance today.”

Irish eyes are smiling after the first day of the Lifedge J/109 National Championship, with Ian Nagles team from the Royal Cork Yacht Club scoring two bullets on J/109 Jelly Baby. “We had a great start in the first race, which put us in a good shape but we had a shocking start in the second and had to fight back from a very poor position. The core of the team has been together since we started racing the J/109 in 2008 and that experience means that we have built up a lot of knowledge about how to sail fast and I have to admit our boat speed was very good today. This has been a very encouraging start and we hope to build on that tomorrow.”

In the J/70 Class, Geoff Carveth's Gill Racing Team stamped their authority on the 19-strong fleet, winning all three of today's races but it was far from easy for the multiple dingy racing champion. Gill Racing Team won the first race of the regatta by just four seconds from Nigel Evans' Little Louise and the second race by a single second from Simon Cavey's Just4Play.

“We are a light crew compared to others in this regatta, so our upwind speed today wasn't special but we made up for it downwind.” commented Geoff Carveth. “Downwind performance is all about heating it up just the right amount to keep the boat speed up but not sailing too many extra metres. Judging the optimum VMG is all about feel and getting your shoulders out of the boat at the right moment adds to the trick. We had our work cut out for us to make up for the deficit upwind and we made some good boat-on-boat decisions.”

In the J/97 National Championship sponsored by Fastnet Marine Insurance Richard Sparrow's Only Magic leads by virtue of a winning the last race of the day. However, Andy Howe's Blackjack II is on equal points after two races with Helen Hofmann's Jaslan in third.

Top of the leader board for the J/111 fleet is Stuart Sawyer's Blackdog, having scored a first and a second in today's races. Cornel Riklin's Jitterbug won the first race of the day and scored a third in the last, securing second place with Chris Body's Icarus scoring two podium finishes claiming third just a point behind Jitterbug.

“Champagne sailing just beautiful conditions to start the regatta off.” commented Black Dog's owner Stuart Sawyer. “This is our second season in the J/111 and it is a much more physical boat than the J/97 and so rewarding when we get it right. Back in Cornwall, we don't have the opportunity to race other J/111s. We can practice manoeuvres and work on boat speed but you don't really know where you are until you race other J/111s, Jitterbug sailed well today and deserved their win in the first race but it was great to win the last race before heading in for a couple of beers.”

After racing Stuart Sawyer's cornishmen racing Black Dog was the first team to the Island Sailing Club bar, triggering happy hour, and the North Sails fully Interactive race debrief at the Island Sailing Club was well received. A lively daily prize giving was held at the club prior to a Curry Supper in the Lowe Marquee. Racing at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G continues tomorrow.







67 Entries for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup

Big breeze is expected in the Solent over the weekend, providing high octane conditions for a bumper fleet of 67 yachts entered for Landsail Tyres J-Cup. Registration for the 15th edition of the J-Cup opened Wednesday 10th June with three days of electric racing on tight Solent courses scheduled. The Island Sailing Club is a hive of activity with competitors enjoying a welcome BBQ and plenty of banter about the regatta. Spectacular conditions are expected for the first day with a strong easterly breeze expected to provide exhilarating racing.


The vast majority of the fleet will be racing in one design classes, including a 19-strong fleet of powerful J/70s. The fastest growing sportsboat class in the world, will revel in the fresh breeze. The new J/88 fleet will enjoy their first National Championship, sponsored by Fastnet Marine Insurance, eight one-design family speedster will do battle for the title. The J/97 National Championship will also be held during the regatta and sixteen J/109s will be racing for the Lifedge J/109 National Championship and the high performance, turbo-charged, J/111 fleet will enjoy electric racing in the feisty conditions.

“The regatta is a great occasion for everybody to get together and enjoy close racing on the water and a party atmosphere ashore.” commented Key Yachting's Paul Heys. “Whilst J Boats are in abundance at regattas all over the world, the J-Cup provides an opportunity to set courses that are ideal for fast planing asymmetric boats and a party atmosphere that suits the J Boat family. It is really great to see so many owners supporting this regatta and I am sure they will be rewarded with excellent racing and great company. Over 500 sailors will enjoy a J Boat family rendezvous with up 12 races scheduled for the three day event. Daily prize givings and supper at the Island Sailing Club give competitors the opportunity to rub shoulders with old friends and meet a few new ones.”











Three National Champions to be Decided

At the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G
01 June 2015 

The Landsail Tyres J-Cup kicks off on June 11 with over 50 examples of the J-Boat range competing on tight Solent courses over three days. Thrilling action is expected with the added attraction of three individual national championships up for grabs. Hosted by the Island Sailing Club, the 15th edition of the J-Cup will deliver one-design racing at its best, with a party atmosphere ashore in Cowes.

The largest fleet of J/70s assembled in the UK is expected to enjoy a thrilling encounter. With a whopping 800 J/70s sold in in the first three years, the fast planing sports boat has taken the sailing world by storm, high octane action is expected.
The ever popular J/109 fleet will be racing for the Lifedge J/109 National Championship. Racing in the strict one-design cruiser/racer class is always close with previous national champions being decided by the narrowest of margins.
The rapid expansion of the new J/88 fleet means they will enjoy their first National Championship sponsored by Fastnet Marine Insurance at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup and the J/97 National Championship will also be contested over the weekend.
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J-Cup Sailors Could Win America's Cup Tickets!

Supporting J-Cup for the second year in a row are financial planning experts Spinnaker Wealth Management, who will be running a prize draw for two pairs of Grandstand tickets for the Sunday of the America's Cup World Series in Portsmouth! The event will deliver an incredible opportunity to watch world class AC45 racing with plenty of entertainment ashore.

Principal of Spinnaker Wealth Management, Nigel Evans, (who is racing at J-Cup on J/70 Little Louise!) will be pleased to speak to competitors about the services offered by the company. Nigel commented; "This is a golden opportunity to shore up your financial planning with a certified wealth management specialist. Quality financial planning is of ever-increasing significance now as pension regulation has recently received the biggest overhaul in decades. For businesses, Auto Enrolment is placing additional pressures on employers and the new pension freedoms mean advice has become vital for a secure retirement." 

Spinnaker Wealth Management invite you contact them via their website, www.spinnaker-wealth.co.uk or by calling 01273 857730. Prize draw cards will be distributed at the J-Cup prizegiving dinner, with winners announced the same evening. Best of luck!

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SLAM Announced as Official Clothing Partner for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G

The J-Cup organisers are thrilled to announce that Italian clothing brand SLAM will once again support the annual UK J Boats regatta. Selected by many of the world's top sailors and competitive racing teams, and a firm favourite with J Boats sailors, SLAM pride themselves on designing sailing gear that not only protects against the worst of the weather but, at the same time, allows for maximum comfort and freedom of movement.

The 2015 edition of the infamous J-Cup will, for the first time, be hosted by the Island Sailing Club in Cowes from 11-13 June. Handily for J-Cup competitors, SLAM's flagship store is located in the heart of Cowes, and the team there will be pleased to welcome sailors throughout the duration of the regatta.

Store manager Elena Antoniazzi said  "We are honoured to support the J-Cup event, and we are excited to welcome competitors into the store to take advantage of special discounts on their regatta orders. We specialise in sailing teamwear and provide a very fast, competitive, and high quality embroidery service to our customers."

SLAM’s flagship store are working on a new website due to launch in April www.slam-cowes.co.uk. In the meantime sailors can browse the full collection at www.slam.com.


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Inaugural J/88 UK National Championships will take place at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G

The rapid expansion of the new J/88 fleet means they will enjoy their first National Championships at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G, hosted by the Island Sailing Club in Cowes from 11th – 13th June 2015.

The newly formed J/88 Class Association is chaired by Dirk Van Beek, owner of Sabriel Jr, his first J Boat. Dirk is keen to help expand the class in 2015; ‘The Class Association and One Design Rules have been set up by the owners and Key Yachting to promote fast, fun sailing, and we have a full season of one design racing in the Solent this year. Come and join us for our first National Championships at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup, we are all looking forward to racing at the Island Sailing Club in June.’

The J/88 is the latest addition to J Boats’ sport range. Designed to be versatile and easy to handle, she is also a sleek and super quick combination of sail power and stability, with a huge social cockpit, push button diesel engine, below-decks head, deck-stepped carbon mast, single-point lift and much more.

Founding member of the Class Association is Paul Ward, owner of Brighton based Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat. Paul says of the boat; ‘We love the J/88. It’s a great fun boat, challenging the good sailors and offering top class close racing and fun for all of the fleet. Downwind it just takes off! 17.5 knots is our fastest so far.’

The fifteenth edition of the J-Cup will also incorporate the National Championships for the J/97 and J/109. One of the few regattas which has seen steady or increased entry numbers in recent years, the J-Cup is exclusively for yachts of the J Boats brand, and entails three days of racing coupled with lively socials. The unrivaled spirit of the regatta is largely credited to the close-knit community of owners who enjoy long relationships with their boats.

Entry for the regatta is now open via www.islandsc.org.uk/racing, where competitors can also download the Notice of Race.
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Cowes to host its first J-Cup in 2015!

The annual regatta exclusively for J Boats will head to Cowes in 2015 for the first time in the event’s history. The Landsail Tyres J-Cup will be hosted by the Island Sailing Club, with racing from 11th–13th June.

Close Racing
The J-Cup has attracted strong entry numbers since the very first regatta in 2000. Organisers Key Yachting attribute this to their legion of very dedicated and passionate owners, 65 of which entered the 2014 event.The largest class at the J-Cup is usually the vivacious J/109 fleet, with one design racing also on offer for the J/70s, J/80s, J/97s and J/111s. It is expected that the inaugural National Championships for the new J/88 class will be held as part of the Landsail Tyres J-Cup 2015.


J/88 Class
The organisers are looking forward to bringing the event to Cowes. Key Yachting MD Paul Heys said ‘Cowes is a natural venue for the J-Cup, with a large contingent of J Boats based on the Solent and all the facilities our local and visiting teams could wish for. The Island Sailing Club have been hosting our annual Cowes Week party for many years so are accustomed to our owners, we have no doubt they will put on a terrific regatta.’

The timing of the event, two weeks prior to the Round the Island Race, will allow boats that have travelled long distances to compete in two stellar events.Teams can expect up to eight races across the three days, with music and entertainment planned for the evenings.

Party Atmosphere!
As is customary at the J-Cup the final prizegiving will give the organisers an excuse to throw the 400 or so competitors a fabulous party with live music, against the backdrop of the infectious atmosphere of Cowes.