Simon Grain

From 5 to 30

Hugo drives Bruschetta VI downwind
Story by Hugo Ottaway
This year the 2012 Monjon J24 Victorian Championship attracted 3 National champions,  4 New South Wales , 2 South Australian and 1 youth competitor along with the majority of the Victorian fleet to make the most competitive regatta in years.All praise to the committee who worked to secure a major sponsor Monjon Securities and two minor sponsors U.K Halsey sailmakers and Quantum Sailmakers.  With their assistance we were able to host two club BBQs and a social night curtiousy of Michael Lewenhagen and friends.
Not since 1996 have 20 first class J24’s raced a Victorian Championship. Credit must go to Greame Watt and crew who did an excellent job in running 7 heats which started in 5 knots and progressively increased over two days to the final race in 30 knots.
Revenge is a good word to discribe the mood of the regatta, held only six weeks since the National title in South Australia, all bar one of the top 10 boats in Australia attended. It was gloves off and many boats confirmed there commitment to this prestigious title by purchasing new sails for this event.Ben Lamb sailing Kaotic (NSW) won with five firsts, second was National Champion David Suda (Victoria) and third Steve Girdis (NSW). Handicap winner Bendan Lee (Victoria).
The racing was full of events which should be mentioned, to begin………
The first race was a 5 knot , one lap affair which saw some of the fleet never making the finish. Simon Grain (Victoria) was given first place only to learn he was OCS. With all points to count it was sayanara to the Make My Jay team., Following a southerly change the remainder of the races on saturday were sailed in top end genoa conditions. By the end of the day Steve Girdis led the points, from Lamb and Suda. Also making an impressive score card was JJF from South Australia, this followed through until they too scored a OCS in the final race of the regatta, knocking them out of the top 5.
The second day began in genoa conditions which quickly changed for the remaining two heats to top end jib.
A J24 becomes a real challenge in 30 knots which was confirmed when both Lamb and Suda Chinese gybed down wind whilst pushing for the lead, however this was nothing compared to some of the fleet who : snapped halyards, hit boats,  got tangled together when two rolled over whilst beside each other, ( interesting sight), tore the top off spinnakers, snapped turnbuckles on the lowers (lucky!!), lost crew over the side whilst sailing home and saw a number of boats not making the finish of the last race. Honours must go to class stalwart Doug MacGregor, who when setting his spinnaker for the last leg, rolled the boat twice and then Chinese gybed, although Doug thought the boat was going to sink, all credit must go to the crew who pulled it all together to finish the race, “no maximum points there….still beat three boats”, to quote Doug in his best Scottish accent.
Its been a long time since Victorian J’s have sailed in 30 knots and this was shown by the exhausted sailors who were presented with a New perpetual trophy. To quote Doug, “the mood has changed in our local fleet, its become more competitive”. We now have a new batch of under 30 male and female sailors in the class and this is a great thing to see the next generation moving up. This year Victorian association has been assisted by the generious donation of two beautifully restored and painted J24’s donated by Sidetracked Entertainment and the Neville Family. These boats have been given to two youth crews, and the first sailed in this regatta. It will only be a matter of time before we see their names on the Victorian Title, and that will be a good thing.
Last but not least, a personal word of advice “stop friggin’ with the riggin”  I can guarantee you’ll go better……..
Hugo.

Benny and the Jets

Ben Lamb blitzing upwind to the title

Story by Simon Grain

Jetwash was the blast that our own Dave Suda felt at the end of the 2012 Monjon Victorian State Champs on the weekend. After taking out the Nationals in Adelaide by narrowly beating Ben Lamb from NSW, Dave had to take a back seat this time to Ben’s dominant 5 wins out of 7 races over the two days of the states. The remaining 2 wins went to Steve Girdis also from NSW who picked up third.

Second wasn’t all bad for Dave though as without a win he showed that consistancey is the name of the game and he had nothing worse than a 5th, inspite of having to go back to the start line a couple of times.

Saturdays racing was held in perfect conditions with 5 – 15 knots, flat water and sunshine. Sunday was quite a different story with winds averaging 20 – 30 knots making for exciting racing. We had a few prangs, the worst being for Brendan Lee who after practising with Simon Grain had another coming together in the last race, this one being terminal to his racing. However Brendan took out the Handicap Trophy with Steve Girdis (Convicts Revenge) and Dave Suda (Pacemaker) in 2nd and 3rd.

Our biggest fleet in years with 20 boats made great racing and the fleet looked fantastic as we took over the racetrack off Sandy.

Sarah Thompsons Vic committee excelled themselves in working with SYC for great on water management headed by Graeme Watt again (our own personal PRO by now !) and also by putting on an awesome social scene with a sausage sizzle after measuring on Friday night, a huge and now traditional party on the Saturday night, this time at Michaels Lewenhagens new house and another great BBQ feed at the presentation at the OTB after the racing on Sunday.

We were very happy to welcome John Moncrieff, the owner of Monjon Security – our States Championship Sponsor – on Sunday and he was able to present the winners with their trophies. He expressed a keenness to support the class on an ongoing basis in the future which is fantastic. Our thanks to Doug MacGregor who organised the sponsorship with Monjon. Naturally if you need security in the future, call Monjon and ask for John, don’t forget to tell him you are a J24 sailor.  The committee also organised two minor sponsors, U.K Halsey sailmakers and Quantum Sailmakers, thank you to both these companies for being interested in our class and sponsoring our two winners with vouchers for sails.

The fleet had 4 boats skippered and crewed by young guys and girls, this is a great omen for our future growth and they all will have learned heaps in the regatta – look out all us oldies !  ‘Size Doesn’t Matter’ once again was the best of them – and Adam Evans and his crew proved their worth by coming 4th ahead of perhaps one of the most experienced J24 sailors, Hugo Ottaway – Mr J24 himself !

The blur of speed - A classic J24 pic, sadly a little out of focus. Pic by Chris Furey.

For the results go to the Sandringham Yacht Club site.    Results

More stories and great pictures from Chris Furey (one of Victorias original J sailors and class promoters) to come shortly.

Another Toy wins 2012 J24 Tasmanian Title.

Held on Sunday 18th March and sailed in what many in the fleet refer to as “J Weather” the 2012 Tasmanian titles where hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. Five boats contested 4 out of the 5 scheduled races held in near perfect conditions on the River Derwent featuring bright sunshine and 5-10 knot winds.

Looking to defend their 2011 title, the crew of Another Toy where early favourites and proved to be well deserving of this status winning all 4 races to retain their title. Owner Greg Rowlings and regatta helm Peter Pangas were pleased with their victory after campaigning the boat strongly all summer which also included winning the Royal Hobart Regatta Lipton Trophy, The Showdown Regatta and finishing equal first (second on count back) for the 2012 Crown Series Regatta.

Having sailed close to Another Toy all day, Peter Bingham’s Street Car finished in 2nd place, having finished 2nd in 3 of out 4 races. Craig Squires’ Divine Madness was a constant performer and finished a well deserved 3rd place.

The newly renamed Whistler J (formally Drumbeat) was the surprise of the day picking up a second place in race 3 after a near perfect start that saw them lead the fleet approaching the top mark. Helm Jory Linscott, whose star studded crew had never sailed the J24 before, looked very excited when crossing the line.

New comer to the class Martin Pieterse, sailing Storm Petrel with James Anderson at the helm rounded out the fleet and showed moments of speed and close racing, picking up two 4th spot finishes. A pleasing result for a boat and crew that only came together a week prior to the regatta.

The winning crew of Another Toy: Peter Pangas, Greg Rowlings, Adrian Clark and Daojia Ng.

Champagne Sailing – “J Weather”

Streetcar leading Another Toy around the top mark

The Tasmanian Association would like to thank the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania for hosting the regatta and their continued support for J24 sailing in the state.

Article by Jamie Lawrence and Greg Rowlings

RESULTS

Another Toy       Greg Rowlings          1 1 1 1     4

Street Car           Peter Bingham          2 2 3 2   9

Divine Madness  Paul Turner             3 3 5 3   14

Whistler J       Jory Linscott                4 4 2 5   15

Storm Petrel    James Anderson        5 5 4 4   18

Dave Suda wins the 2012 Australian National Championship

In a nail biting finish that went down to the last race finish positions, Dave Suda and his crew of Herschel, Luke, Sam and Rachel sailing Pacemaker won a well deserved 2012 National Championship by one point from Ben Lamb sailing Alyn Stevenson’s Fun 2 with last years Nationals winner Sean Kirkjian sailing Sailpac.

In PHS the winner was local sailor Jamie Goode from fellow SA sailor and national Measurer Peter Stevens and Dave Suda. As csutomary the the PHS placeings can’t be won by OD place getters so third on PHS goes to Melbourne sailor and previous Nationals winner (10 years ago) Hugo Ottaway.

We hope to bring you more stories, pictures and views on the regatta as soon as more people write them (send them to Simon !) (go to it scribes)

Updated:  12/03/2012  4:32:21 PM

Series Results [J24 PHS] for Division 4 up to Race 10 (Drops = 2)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 10 Race 9 Race 8 Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1 16 VERTIGO JAMIE GOODE CYCSA 41.0 1.0 3.0 3.0 12.0 [15.0] 4.0 5.0 [12.0] 9.0 4.0
2 4 CODE VIOLATION PETER STEVENS PASC 44.0 5.0 1.0 4.0 5.0 12.0 [13.0] 12.0 1.0 4.0 [14.0]
3 12 PACEMAKER DAVID SUDA SYC 44.5 11.5 10.0 [15.0] 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 [15.0] 14.0 1.0
4 2 BRUSCHETTA VI HUGO OTTAWAY SYC 48.0 7.0 11.0 [12.0] 4.0 1.0 7.0 [15.0] 6.0 6.0 6.0
5 3 BY THE LEE BRENDAN LEE SYC 49.0 9.0 7.0 8.0 7.0 8.0 [9.0] 1.0 4.0 [15.0] 5.0
6 8 GOOD COMPANY ROBIN TOWNSEND CYCSA 54.0 6.0 8.0 [13.5] 6.0 3.5 8.0 9.5 10.0 [10.0] 3.0
7 14 SDM ADAM EVANS SYC 55.0 [15.0G] 14.0 2.0 [15.0] 6.0 3.0 3.0 7.0 8.0 12.0
8 3.0S 6 FUN 2 BEN LAMB MYC 56.0 4.0 13.0 7.0 10.0 10.0 [14.0] 8.0 3.0 1.0 [15.0]
9 9 JUMPIN JACK FLASH DOUG WATSON CYCSA 56.0 [15.0G] 4.0 11.0 [14.0] 9.0 1.0 4.0 11.0 7.0 9.0
10 5 CONVICTS REVENGE STEPHEN GIRDIS CYCA 57.0 3.0 12.0 5.0 1.0 11.0 12.0 11.0 [13.0] 2.0 [13.0]
11 15 SUCH IS LIFE DAVE NICOLSON CYCSA 57.5 [15.0] 2.0 9.0 8.5 7.0 10.0 6.0 5.0 [12.0] 10.0
12 13 SAILPAC SEAN KIRKJIAN CYCA 58.0 [15.0G] 6.0 10.0 3.0 13.0 6.0 7.0 2.0 [13.0] 11.0
13 11 MAKE MY JAY SIMON GRAIN SYC 58.5 7.0G 9.0 [13.5] 13.0 3.5 5.0 [13.0] 8.0 11.0 2.0
14 7 HYPERACTIVE KIRSTY HARRIS SYC 63.5 13.0 5.0 1.0 11.0 14.0 [16.0S] 9.5 [14.0] 3.0 7.0
15 10 KICKING BOTTOM RON THOMPSON SYC 65.5 13.0G [15.0] 6.0 8.5 5.0 11.0 [14.0] 9.0 5.0 8.0

Here are the final results.

2012 J24 OD Australian Championships

Updated:  12/03/2012  4:32:21 PM

Series Results [J24 OD ] for Division 4 up to Race 10 (Drops = 2)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 10 Race 9 Race 8 Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1 12 PACEMAKER DAVID SUDA SYC 15.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 [10.0] [8.0] 1.0
2 6 FUN 2 BEN LAMB MYC 16.0 1.0 5.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 [7.0] 1.0 1.0 1.0 [6.0]
3 13 SAILPAC SEAN KIRKJIAN CYCA 25.0 [13.0G] 3.0 4.0 2.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 2.0 [6.0] 2.0
4 14 SDM ADAM EVANS SYC 27.0 [14.0G] [7.0] 1.0 6.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 3.0
5 5 CONVICTS REVENGE STEPHEN GIRDIS CYCA 38.0 2.0 [11.0] 6.0 4.0 [10.0] 9.0 5.0 6.0 2.0 4.0
6 2 BRUSCHETTA VI HUGO OTTAWAY SYC 45.0 7.0 6.0 [8.0] 5.0 5.0 5.0 [12.0] 5.0 7.0 5.0
7 9 JUMPIN JACK FLASH DOUG WATSON CYCSA 53.0 [15.0G] 4.0 7.0 9.0 6.0 1.0 6.0 [11.0] 10.0 10.0
8 4 CODE VIOLATION PETER STEVENS PASC 59.0 4.0 1.0 10.0 10.0 13.0 [14.0] 9.0 3.0 9.0 [14.0]
9 10 KICKING BOTTOM RON THOMPSON SYC 66.0 [15.0G] [15.0] 9.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 11.0 7.0 5.0 8.0
10 7 HYPERACTIVE KIRSTY HARRIS SYC 69.0 [14.0] 9.0 5.0 12.0 12.0 [16.0S] 8.0 13.0 3.0 7.0
11 3 BY THE LEE BRENDAN LEE SYC 75.0 12.0 10.0 11.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 7.0 8.0 [15.0] [12.0]
12 11 MAKE MY JAY SIMON GRAIN SYC 80.0 10.0G 13.0 13.0 [14.0] 7.0 8.0 [14.0] 9.0 11.0 9.0
13 16 VERTIGO JAMIE GOODE CYCSA 85.0 6.0 14.0 12.0 [15.0] [15.0] 6.0 10.0 14.0 12.0 11.0
14 8 GOOD COMPANY ROBIN TOWNSEND CYCSA 97.0 11.0 12.0 14.0 11.0 11.0 12.0 [15.0] [15.0] 13.0 13.0
15 15 SUCH IS LIFE DAVE NICOLSON CYCSA 102.0 15.0 8.0 [15.0] 13.0 14.0 13.0 13.0 12.0 14.0 [15.0]

Nationals Day Two

Th1e racing gets tighter with Dave Suda and Ben Lamb equal on 10 points. Monday’s racing will produce a winner but it is going right down to the wire.

2012 J24 Australian Championships

Hosted By Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Updated:  3/11/2012  4:16:20 PM

Series Results [J24 OD ] for Division 4 up to Race 8 (Drops = 2)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 8 Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1 1.0S 6 FUN 2 BEN LAMB MYC 10.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 [7.0] 1.0 1.0 1.0 [6.0]
2 12 PACEMAKER DAVID SUDA SYC 10.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 [10.0] [8.0] 1.0
3 14 SDM ADAM EVANS SYC 17.0 1.0 [6.0] 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0 [4.0] 3.0
4 13 SAILPAC SEAN KIRKJIAN CYCA 18.0 4.0 2.0 4.0 4.0 [4.0] 2.0 [6.0] 2.0
5 5 CONVICTS REVENGE STEPHEN GIRDIS CYCA 27.0 6.0 4.0 [10.0] [9.0] 5.0 6.0 2.0 4.0
6 2 BRUSCHETTA VI HUGO OTTAWAY SYC 32.0 [8.0] 5.0 5.0 5.0 [12.0] 5.0 7.0 5.0
7 9 JUMPIN JACK FLASH DOUG WATSON CYCSA 39.0 7.0 9.0 6.0 1.0 6.0 [11.0] 10.0 [10.0]
8 10 KICKING BOTTOM RON THOMPSON SYC 45.0 9.0 8.0 8.0 [10.0] [11.0] 7.0 5.0 8.0
9 7 HYPERACTIVE KIRSTY HARRIS SYC 47.0 5.0 12.0 12.0 [16.0S] 8.0 [13.0] 3.0 7.0
10 3 BY THE LEE BRENDAN LEE SYC 53.0 11.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 7.0 8.0 [15.0] [12.0]
11 4 CODE VIOLATION PETER STEVENS PASC 54.0 10.0 10.0 13.0 [14.0] 9.0 3.0 9.0 [14.0]
12 11 MAKE MY JAY SIMON GRAIN SYC 57.0 13.0 [14.0] 7.0 8.0 [14.0] 9.0 11.0 9.0
13 16 VERTIGO JAMIE GOODE CYCSA 65.0 12.0 [15.0] [15.0] 6.0 10.0 14.0 12.0 11.0
14 8 GOOD COMPANY ROBIN TOWNSEND CYCSA 74.0 14.0 11.0 11.0 12.0 [15.0] [15.0] 13.0 13.0
15 15 SUCH IS LIFE DAVE NICOLSON CYCSA 79.0 [15.0] 13.0 14.0 13.0 13.0 12.0 14.0 [15.0]
(Ties: S=Score R=Race B= Bettered. Penalties: A=ARB B=BFD C=DNC D=DNE E=ESP F=DNF G=RDG L=Late Entrant M=DGM N=ENP O=OCS P=Protest Q=DSQ R=RAF S=DNS T=TLE U=DUT V=AVG X=EXC Z=ZFP Y=SCP #=NoData [x.y]=Discarded)

2012 J24 Australian Championships

Day one of the 2012 National Titles in being held at the CYCSA in Adelaide has been a bonanza for Ben Lamb and Artur Crothers sailing Fun 2. Sean Kirkjian also from NSW is lying second with Adam Evans from Victoria in third.

In glorious sunshine and shirts and short weather with a calm 8 knots building to a 15 knot sea breeze the 15 boat fleet enjoyed superb sailing conditions.

Dave Suda in his new-ish Italian boat cleared out in the first race to win by nearly half a leg ad must have been feeling pretty good, but by tthe end of the day with two OCS calls was back down the results. Hugo Ottaway is also having an average series so far and dropped one of his crew over the side in the last race to add a less than perfect touch. However the Italian boats seem to have good speed as shown by both Dave and Ben.

Back in the pack, chomping on the heels of the winners, is a very close group of very good sailors. The racing is extremely tight and one small mistake takes you to the back of the pack very quickly.

Four races were sailed today and another four are planned for tomorrow with two on Monday. Winds are expected to be the same tomorrow with lighter winds on Monday.

Here are todays results.

2012 J24 Australian Championships

Hosted By Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Updated:  10/03/2012  3:40:34 PM

Series Results [J24 OD ] for Division 4 up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   6 FUN 2 BEN LAMB PASC 9.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 6.0
2 2.0S 13 SAILPAC SEAN KIRKJIAN CYCA 14.0 4.0 2.0 6.0 2.0
3   14 SDM ADAM EVANS SYC 14.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 3.0
4   5 CONVICTS REVENGE STEPHEN GIRDIS CYCA 17.0 5.0 6.0 2.0 4.0
5   12 PACEMAKER DAVID SUDA SYC 21.0 2.0 10.0 8.0 1.0
6   2 BRUSCHETTA VI HUGO OTTAWAY SYC 29.0 12.0 5.0 7.0 5.0
7 3.0S 7 HYPERACTIVE KIRSTY HARRIS SYC 31.0 8.0 13.0 3.0 7.0
8   10 KICKING BOTTOM RON THOMPSON SYC 31.0 11.0 7.0 5.0 8.0
9   4 CODE VIOLATION PETER STEVENS PASC 35.0 9.0 3.0 9.0 14.0
10   9 JUMPIN JACK FLASH DOUG WATSON CYCSA 37.0 6.0 11.0 10.0 10.0
11   3 BY THE LEE BRENDAN LEE SYC 42.0 7.0 8.0 15.0 12.0
12   11 MAKE MY JAY SIMON GRAIN SYC 43.0 14.0 9.0 11.0 9.0
13   16 VERTIGO JAMIE GOODE CYCSA 47.0 10.0 14.0 12.0 11.0
14   15 SUCH IS LIFE DAVE NICOLSON CYCSA 54.0 13.0 12.0 14.0 15.0
15   8 GOOD COMPANY ROBIN TOWNSEND CYCSA 56.0 15.0 15.0 13.0 13.0

Crew available for the Nationals

For anyone looking for an extra crew member for the Nationals in Adelaide, there is a current J24 member there looking for a spot. Crew weight is 80kg.

If you are interested call the SA Pres Dave Nicholson on 0412 760 526

2012 Nationals Clothing

2012 Nationals Regatta Clothing

This year the Regatta clothing options are a long sleeve unisex polo, a shortsleeve mens and a short sleeve ladies polo.

To assist with ordering from the supplier, these tops will be available only by prior online ordering.

TO SELECT YOUR CORRECT SIZE AND ORDER YOUR REGATTA CLOTHING – GO TO THE 2012 NATIONALS REGATTA PAGE IN THE MENU ABOVE

ORDERS CLOSE 27 FEBRUARY, SO ORDER NOW IF YOU WANT A REGATTA TOP

New Inventory Form now online

We now have a new style Excel spreadsheet you can use to work out and print out your Required and Optional Inventory form.

Note that you must carry a filled out copy of this form or the original hand filled version on your boat whilst racing.

This form is good as it automatically calculates your weights for you, then you can simply print it out.

To find the form go to About J24 in the drop down menu above and select “Measurement & Equipment Inventory Certificates”

Meaning of life thought for the day

For many years the world’s greatest have pondered the meaning of life, scientists, religious leaders, poets laureate, historians, politicians and sports people have all thought deeply to come up with the answer – 42

Recently a group of some of the worlds best brains have come up with the reason this ’42’ thing hasn’t worked across the board for all people in all situations and can’t be the complete answer. They have realised that the number is actually the wrong way round.

The real answer is    ’24’    and you all know what that means when you put a J in front of it.