J-80 UK Class Association

The proposed amendments for the J/80 Class Rules are now published on the International site and subject to a 60 day review by class members, followed by an Executive Committee vote.

Approved amendments will then be submitted to ISAF for approval, with an expected effective date of June 1, 2010.

The proposals follow several months of development and review by the Technical Committee and Executive Committee.

The Tacktick Suunto J/80 UK National Championship 2010 will be hosted by the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club from Wednesday 5^th May to Saturday 8^th of May. The Notice of Race and Entry Form are available online at www.j-80.co.uk 

The J/80 is fastest selling sportsboat in Europe and with this in mind, marine electronics specialists Tacktick have agreed title sponsorship for the UK Nationals.   James Hewitt, Sales Manager for Tacktick Suunto said ‘We are delighted to kick start what we hope will be a long standing association with the UK J/80 Class. We see the Tacktick Race Master as the perfect product for this performance sportsboat. Of course the Suunto range of watches also hold massive appeal across all J Boat sailors from the J/80 to the J/133, as does our entire range of wireless, self powered marine electronics.’  This is the second time the J/80 National Championships have been fought in the waters of Cardiff Bay. The racing is extremely tactical, tidal considerations are clearly important and racing here on short windward-leeward courses presents a real challenge and reaps it’s own rewards for the clever sailor. Facilities at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club are superb for sportsboats and the Class is very pleased to be back. 

Thirty plus UK boats are expected at the event in June, along with visitors from Italy and elsewhere in Europe. The growing domestic fleet welcomes many new owners in 2010 and the spring date for the Tacktick Suunto J/80 UK Nationals means that this is the first time most teams will be lining up against each other in advance of the Euros on Lake Garda in June and the Worlds in Newport at the end of the summer.

Tacktick wireless by Suunto: Besides giving you reliability and performance, Tacktick displays are unique. They are wireless and use “micro-power” solar technology which means they are lightweight and reliable. Tacktick wireless displays take marine instruments to a new level of usability and precision.

For more information check out www.tacktick.co.uk   Please Note: You can now enter online via the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club Website: http://www.cbyc.co.uk/j80nationals/

Nigel Theadom isin the process of organising an East Coast Championship on the back of the Felixtowe regatta (5 races -3rd/4th July 2010)

There is also the possibility of some tuning/practice on the Friday afternoon before the event.

Levington marina will provide free launching/recovery/berthing.

News from the Itialian class association:

We are working together with Fraglia Vela Malcesine Yacht Club staff to organize the J80 2010 European Championship. It will be a great event in one of the most famous sailing spots in Europe. 

Championship dates: 21^st to 26^th of June 2010

Championship website: www.j80euro2010.it, is now online with a draft page.During next months it will become a complete Web Site with all the related info.

The Italian J80 Association wish also to bring to your attention the J80 National Championship 2010 that will be hosted in the same place/yacht club as the Europeans, from 11 to 13 June 2010 (2 weeks before Europeans).

This is an opportunity for your team to participate to the Italian Nationals, to check the race area and conditions, leaving boats and trailer until the Europeans.

The Garmin Hamble Winter Series, run by Hamble River Sailing Club, remains on track after delivering another full programme and excellent day’s racing in the Solent on Sunday. MDL’s Port Hamble Marina was the day sponsor.

In contrast to last weekend’s drifting conditions in bright sunshine, Sunday delivered typical Winter Series conditions above forecast with a constant 20 to 25 knot south Westerly across both Black and White fleet courses.

Black Group PRO Jamie Wilkinson decided that conditions were not ideal for a two race schedule and courses for single races of up to 20 miles were set for the IRC classes.

Amongst the Black fleet one-designs ‘Journeymaker 5’ scored a win in the J/105 fleet. Within the J/109 fleet it was business as usual as ‘J-Dream’ scored a fourth race win with ‘Shiva’, making her first outing in the series, coming home second.

Over on the White fleet course all three races went off as programmed, despite gusts up to 28kts. A few competitors headed for home before but the start of the third race, but most seemed to relish the tough conditions. ‘Oi!!’ scored a consistent 2, 1, 2 in the J/80 fleet maintaining her overall series lead.

Out for the first time in a J/80 was Robin Fielder and his crew. Paul Fuller, who was part of Robin’s crew had this to say;

‘Well, what a weekend for a test sail !  We were slightly apprehensive about the challenges of three races on a breezy Sunday – a new crew and an owner who hasn’t sailed competitively for two years.  However, with some expert tuition from Paul Heys, we quickly got up to speed and by the last race were thoroughly enjoying ourselves, finishing with a win.   The J/80 was excellent fun to sail in a breeze and very stable downwind.  We found it relatively easy to sail and as test sails go, to come away with a 3, 2, 1 was fantastic.  It says much for the layout and the handling characteristics of this great little sportsboat that a new crew can jump onboard and race competitively.’ 

Next weekend sees the traditional weekend break and in the series and a very Big Day in Hamble for Rob Greenhalgh and Leslie Ryan! Racing resumes for all competitors on Sunday 8th November.

White Fleet Race Winners:

J/80
Race 1, ‘Boats.Com’ Mr. Ian Atkins
Race 2, ‘Oil!’ John Cooper
Race 3, ‘Elle Sappelle’ ‘Thor Askeland

Black Fleet Race Winners:

J/105, ‘Journeymaker 5’ Chris Jones
J/109, ‘J Dream’ David & Kirsty Athorp