German J/22 Class BOOT-Dusseldorf Report

(Dusseldorf, Germany)- Much has happened at the Dusseldorf BOOT Show in 2011, a total of 250,500 visitors from 60 countries attended the Dusseldorf boat this year.  The German J/22 Class Association continues to grow in Germany, we're very committed and enthusiastic and participating one more time in this great Boat show brings us great exposure. In the class everyone is engaged, which is probably due to the structure of a large circle of friends and that helps to grow the class. And just as exciting, they were also on the exhibition and showed the interested visitors that "J/22 sailing” in our class association is a good choice.

The booth with a brand new J/22 and movies from the World Championships 2009 at Lake Garda was very nicely designed and attracted the visitors which came into the hall of the sailing center.  Everyone who sees the images of the J/22 fleet from Lake Garda is fascinated, those people we can’t help to find out how to go sailing on a J/22!

With the promotion of the "Marinepool European J/22 Championship" in 2011 in Travemünde Week, supported by “Dimension-Polyant” and “Marine pool”, visitors were able to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful J/22 but also recognize how strong the J/22 class is in Europe. So, whoever enjoys competitive sailing and is in a class of boat where the fleets in their regattas are decreasing, you're warmly welcomed in the J/22 Class Association!  The upward trend continues and the interest of attracting more and more sailors is increasing. And each of our members has a little part in it. Good prospects - right?"  To learn more about joining the J/22 Class sailing in Europe and America.   

J/22 Midwinters & Women's Rolex Campaigns Start

Week of J/22 Racing at Davis Island YC
(Tampa, FL– Feb 17)– J/22 racers from around North America are flocking to Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL for a week of competition on the bay.  From Thursday, February 24 through Saturday, February 26, approximately 30 J/22s will battle it out for the title of 2011 Layline J/22 Midwinter Champion.  The fleet boasts a number of acclaimed racers, so everyone is expecting a close match throughout the event.  Weather forecasters are predicting a sunny, warm week to welcome sailors escaping from the winter weather.

Preceding the J/22 Midwinter Championship, the first Road to Rolex clinic on the 2011 calendar will be held February 21-22.   Two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow, an accomplished match racer and 2008 Olympian, will lead the women-only clinic.  Registration on Monday, February 21, is followed by boat rigging with industry experts on hand to assist.  The afternoon’s on-the-water session will be filmed for review during a working dinner that evening.  Tuesday, February 22, the clinic will resume on-the-water.  A break at noon for a debrief will precede the short race series in the afternoon which will determine the clinic winner who receives a $200 credit toward her entry fee in the Rolex IWKC.  A debrief, reception and awards will close out the clinic.  Organized in preparation for US SAILING’s 2011 Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, the Road to Rolex clinics facilitate the participation of women in keelboat racing.

It’s not too late to participate in either of these events!  Visit http://www.j22mw.com to register and for updated results throughout the week.   

J/22 Winter Series- The Netherlands

30 Boats Sailing Faster & Faster!
(The Hague, The Netherlands)- After a successful New Year reception last Friday, the J/22 fleet gather at their favorite place along the sea- "@ Sea"- the famous drink/ eat spot during the J/22 World Cup last summer.  Later in the day, with no breeze, 28 degrees, it was a bit dark, cold and bleak in the harbor of Scheveningen. So, everyone stayed inside for nibbles, drinks and delicious food. However, on Sunday it was time for another one of the Winter Series races.  The weather was a lot better and it was fully enjoyed by all.  As for the results, Eelco Blok on TEAM HH KESBEKE is leading with a 2-3-1-3 followed in second by Ronald Veraar sailing SIKA/ RHA MOJO with a 1-6-2-4. Third is Thomas Allart on SAILING SERVICE with a 12-1-3-2, rapidly climbing up the ladder!  Lying fourth is Menno Bron on STRIPES with an 8-7-4-1 and rounding out the top five is Team Broach on HAPPY SKY with a 5-11-6-5.

For next weekend, don't forget that on Saturday, February 12th there will be J/22 Winter Training run by Rick Boyer Sand.  If you want to participate email to treasurer@j22.nl your name and sail number and the course(s) you want to join. The courses start at 10.00am at the bar in the clubhouse. Make sure your boat is rigged and ready to roll with you on it! The training will be over around 15.30pm so you're showing up in time back to the GMA.  Learn more about J/22 Winter Training and Sailing in The Netherlands.   

JUST LEAVING Wins J/22 Commodores Cup

Girls Spank The Guys in the Caymans!
(Cayman Islands)- There was a "volte face" in this years edition of the Cayman Island Sailing Club's annual Commodore's Cup sailed on the clubs' J/22s-- the girls beating the boys.  The event was held over the weekend of 8th and 9th January 2011. Seven boats competed in the first major J22 sailing regatta of the year in what turned out to be one of the most competitive Commodores Cup regattas for many years.

The regatta was hosted by the Cayman Islands Sailing Club’s (CISC) Commodore who had just returned from his Antarctic expedition to face considerably more hospitable conditions in the North Sound.

Two courses, one a triangular course the other a windward / leeward course, were set in the North Sound by the well organized Race Committee, headed up by Peta Adams.

It was immediately apparent that the Christmas break had provided an opportunity for upgrades to various boats and that some of the crews had been finding time for some extra training. Of particular note was Sunshine, skippered by Peter Cunningham, which was sporting a brand new set of sails.

The winds on Saturday were generally light with ten degree oscillation that meant the skippers had to keep in phase to stay with the fleet. The first race saw Tomeaka McTaggart sailing JUST LEAVING display the form that would see her through the weekend as she sailed into 1st place. The rest of the fleet were close behind and all fighting for room at the marks. After a very close last upwind beat Jo Richards racing MAYHEM showed some cool nerves to grasp second from Peter Cunningham skipping SUNSHINE.

The second race saw Ralph Harvey, the CISC new Lead Sailing Instructor, on DMS show good form and pull away from the fleet with Tomeaka McTaggart working her way into second place ahead of Peter Cunningham's SUNSHINE. Jo Richards' MAYHEM was caught on port at the top windward mark of the first beat and was forced to do penalty turns pushing her to the back of the fleet, but she clawed her way back to 4th. The third race, and the last of the day for Saturday, saw Tomeaka McTaggart regain her form and take another first, just ahead of a hard charging Peter Cunningham who was followed closely by Jane Moon on CIAO who was now getting used to her new crew.

The racing on Sunday started with stronger winds that had clocked to the East. During the fourth race of the regatta Steve Adams on WRECKLESS started to show the form that had eluded him on Saturday as he finished a very close second to Tomeaka McTaggart, with Jane Moon a close third. Fourth place was hotly contested with Bruce Johnson's YAHOO trying unsuccessfully to edge out Peter Cunningham at the pin end of the finish line. The fleet experienced gusty conditions in the fifth race which saw Tomeaka McTaggart consolidate her grip on the fleet with another 1st place with Jane Moon finding her form with another 2nd place and Steve Adams close behind in 3rd.

Technical difficulties befell Tomeaka McTaggart in the sixth race, the crew was unable to drop the spinnaker, putting her in last place, whilst Jane Moon took advantage grabbing 1st place and Ralph Harvey (DMS) was back in the mix finishing 2nd just ahead of Peter Cunningham. For the final race of the regatta the winds dropped a little. Tomeaka McTaggart made another good start while Jo Richards on MAYHEM got shut out and had to tack across the back of the fleet to the right side of the course. Obviously clear air and an early lift helped Jo out and she round the windward mark on Tomeaka’s stern and ahead of the rest of the fleet. Again Jo Richards displayed cool nerves as she managed to stay ahead of the pack to pull out a 2nd place to finish ahead of Jane Moon.  For the final tally, Tomeaka's JUST LEAVING was first with 7 points, Jane Moon's CIAO 2nd with 16 points; Peter's SUNSHINE in third with 19 points; Jo's MAYHEM in 4th with 22 points and Ralph's DMS in 5th with 24 points.  For for J/22 Commodore's Cup sailing information on Cayman Islands.