The Winter Series at Middle Harbour Yacht Club only had one J24 entered this year – Brett Hudson’s Wildfire skippered by Grant Dawkins, plus Kaotic as a casual entry – and boy, did they show the bigger yachts how it’s done!!
Over 10 races, Wildfire produced 3 wins and 2 thirds (lovely Henri Lloyd jackets for all the crew!!), taking them to an overall series win against the bigger boats! The real competition came from Kaotic – who raced as a casual entry in 3 races….Skippered by the legendary Janette Symes – of course they won whenever they were out… – and with a whopping 17 minute lead in the last race, and with the owner not on board too!..Arthur will have to lift his game if he wants his spot back!!!!
Special mention must go to one race that Kaotic got disqualified in though– if after 20 years, Arthur chooses to sail through the Bomborra, he can expect to be yelled at by Paula as Wildfire were always watching their every move…Maybe he got so carried away with Janette’s helming skills that running aground didn’t worry him!!!
A generally light wind series allowed the Js to pull away from the big boats…lets hope more J24s decide to enter next winter and really show the fleet how its done!!
Sparloft in NZ have let me know that they are shipping an Etchell mast to Oz in the near future and this could provide an opportunity to save at least 50% on shipping costs if you want to have a new mast built. Let me know on 0413 870 046 if you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Click here for the Legends Newsletter for the latest details on what’s happening on the October Long Weekend at Gosford for the NSW State Championship and Legends Regatta.
Janette Syme, sister and competitor to brother Ron Thomson on “Kicking Bottom”, is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with, sailing and training with Arthur Crothers (probably one of the best sailors and teachers in the business). She is one of a small group of lady skippers that are making a real difference in the class. And giving the guys a run for their money.
Janette has found a very good article on Sailing World about best crew practices.
The NSW State Championships and Legends Regatta is gathering momentum and looks like being a huge event. If you want to be part of it now is the time to get your entry in.
Download the great NSW State Championships and Legends regatta poster. Email paula_shires@hotmail.com if you need any further information.
More Pictures of the 2010 Vic States have been put online on the ORCV site – these are some great shots from Steb Fisher, if you want to have a look CLICK HERE
In a world that is constantly changing and becoming more expensive, one keelboat class offers you the opportunity to cruise and race for under $20,000.
A class that offers fleets all over Australia and an international fleet of over 5,500 boats.
You guessed it – the J24. And it’s making a big come back as people realise the unique potential of this little boat.
24 ft with a main, jib, genoa and kite, five crew, 4 bunks and an icebox. 24 ft of competitive excitement. And they are everywhere and compared to Etchells, Sportsboats and other similar sized keel boats – they’re as cheap as hell.
Some call it old – it is, same age as the Etchell.
Some call it slow – it isn’t, Div 3 of this years Spinnaker Cruising (Racing class) at Geelong Audi Week (the biggest class available), 56 boats and J24s gained 3 First places and a Second over the line in the 4 races held, even though it was the smallest boat in the fleet (beating boats 12ft longer over the line). It isn’t a sports boat speedboat, but it is a one design that doesn’t get out designed and out dated.
Some do call it outdated – it isn’t in fact, in a handicap or measurement class it rates so well they hate us entering – we tend to win. We still put 90 odd boats on the start line at most world champs.
So what other one design keelboat is there for under $20,000 with all these benefits you can get into and race competitively (or cruise), in a fleet around Australia?
You’re right – there isn’t another one.
Some people call it all sorts of names…… But we call it the J24
We’re putting stars into …. reasonably priced … boats !
Doug MacGregor, a new skipper competes at the Nationals in Melboure 2010
Alyn Stevenson, Pete Stevens and crew race FUN in an earlier series
The SA states were held over the weekend of 13/14 March in Adelaide. With typical late summer soft winds and fine weather the sailing was a glamour and easy on the body.
Trevor Conyers in No Eye Deer sailed an almost perfect series to win with five bullets and a second, from Alyn Stevenson sailing Fun 2.
Pete Stevens should have finished third but a small mistake in leaving the life jackets in the car on Saturday morning meant he was late to the starting line for the first race and scored a DNF and with no drops meant he had to carry that.
Instead he had to watch his old boat sail away into third ahead of him with me at the helm …. because we had ‘Fun’. Pete had invited us over, lent me the boat, given us a bed and as it turned out conceded to us the third he would otherwise have got. Sometimes it all turns out sweet … for us anyway.
Saturday and the weather was hot and sunny, wind around 8 knots from the south and flat water, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t come to this one. The CYCSA held the Great Southern Regatta in conjunction with the J States and did a very good job to get 3 races in – shortish courses with 2 or 3 times round and nice tight start lines to keep us on our toes. We had 10 boats on the line and plenty of talent in the field.
Competition was fierce around the track in all 3 races on Saturday with most of the fleet sailing the course and finishing in a tight pack.
Sunday and we had light westerlies with sun-blocking cloud – thankfully – once again the PRO did a good job to set up a tight line and course giving fair racing and tactical sailing. Trevor didn’t seem to have a lot more speed but with good sailing put himself in the right place each time and he moved through to lead each race by a small margin from either Alyn, Pete and in the last shortened race, Simon.
Snapping at the transoms of the first 4 boats were Vertigo, Good Company, Such is Life and Kaizen. Never far out of the picture, these boats are ready to jump you if you make a mistake. Foolish Behaviour and Cookie Monster rounded out the fleet.
The club and the State Association came together to put on a good regatta with many thanks to the PRO, his team and all the volunteers who made this happen.
Oh did I forget to mention we had the most amazing stroke of luck as I hadn’t even considered the handicap part of the series … but we took that out too.
As the only interstate boat we had a Fun time and were looked after by Pete Stevens in particular, but thanks to all who made us feel so welcome. Next time get on the blower and organise yourself a berth interstate, there is a cost but it is worth the effort and having class members organising billeting and help to get on the water makes this a great short holiday and a way to get to know your interstate friends better.
The next regatta is the Vic States on 17/18 March and if you haven’t already decided to come then have another think about it. Melbourne in autumn is traditionally a carbon copy of the regatta above, warm and light and lots of fun.
Alyn Stevenson just sent me this great chunk of “News from the club bars”, mostly talk around whats happening in SA – and plenty is happening, just like the action in the Victorian fleet – more of that later. So what a great idea and here it all is for your further edification. I’ve called it ‘Bar Talk’ – fits on the nav bar at the top easier – so check on this page regularly and if you have info to add send it to me at grain@smarketing.com.au
