AKA report from Hugo Ottaway at The Dennis Conner International Challenge held at The Manhattan Yacht Club in New York.
Well…..I really enjoyed it! Though it was super, super tough. When the Norwegian says to the German during his presentation speech (both of whom finished behind us} that the last time he beat him was at the Olympic games, you’re not sailing against bunnies.
In addition, other competitors said how much of an honor it was to sail in the company of the German skipper (must look up who he is). It was not a Nationals level regatta, it was a worlds standard regatta, so much so that the organisers called a special meeting of skippers to remind them that the concept was as a “friendly regatta, and that the Corinthian rules of sailing are expected to be honored……. “.
Most yacht clubs sent their best teams, we matched it boat against boat no problem, only issue was loosing half the fleet half way up the second beat with huge wind shifts and massive 2 knot currents. At times we went from 2nd to 14th in one shift! When it got choppy which happened a lot, we sailed straight through them, as so many of our competitors were not use to Port Phillip Bay type chop. Admittedly we were out classed when it came to picking the current advantage, we tried but had little idea compared to the top Europeans who know this stuff like the back of their hands. A perfect example of that was, when in a 100 meters in an off the wind finish, we went from a comfortable 6th to 8th. We thought it impossible to lose our position but just had the wind evaporate around us, we just sat there with nothing, meters from the line… frustrating to say the least.
The entertainment was first class, with the best rapport amongst the competitors. It was nice to have the winner come up to us and complement us (we came 9th for God’s sake…RMYS Team B) on how well we sailed against them. They came second in the J 22 worlds, were heading off to do a TP52 regatta in Europe with 2 of their crew who employees of North Sails. Told you it was a serious regatta. There were even several youth crews sent from their National training body i.e. Argentina and Ireland.
Sadly, the boats weren’t all they could have been. Half the fleet had weed growing around the rudder and hulls. They must get that fixed if they are going to have another regatta. And, they really need to as this event has morphed into a first class regatta, with huge prestige, which will only grow, and has caught the organizers, at their own admission, by surprise. It is no longer just a casual dash around the cans.
Unfortunately team A didn’t fare well, however they had a great time, see you when I get back H.
The results are in and it looks like it was a tough regatta with plenty of strong competition, look below for the results
Mr J24, a.k.a. Hugo Ottoway and friends are currently in the big Apple preparing to sail in the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge.
This follows on from the team from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron sailing in the same regatta last year. Competeing this year are two teams from RMYS again – the crews are : Peter Yoon, Allicia Rae, Kathleen Mackian, Jade McDonell, Craig Nobbs, Cherry Birch, Hugo Ottoway, James Torode and Sean Bly.
Ther are 20 teams from all round the world so it is a real micro world champs set in the famous river area around the Statue of Liberty with the buildings of Manhattan as a backdrop.
Of course we wish them well in their competition, I gather the trick is to sail the river current more so than the wind. Hugo told me before he went that the plan is to copy the locals in the first couple of races and then kick some butt, so we are expecting a decent result from the master, who incidentally fell off a ladder recently and still hasn’t got full use of his right arm back yet. Here are a few points from the NOR to give you the picture.
Purpose of Event:
The purpose of the Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge is to bring together yacht clubs from around the world to promote international goodwill through friendly competition. This is an invitational regatta. Any yacht club can request an entry.
Yachts & Equipment:
This regatta will be raced on identical J/24 sailboats provided by the Manhattan Sailing Club. The club will provide all sails, sheets and other racing equipment. Teams must use the equipment provided. No additional boat equipment may be brought aboard by any teams. Teams will switch boats after each race.
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
1200-1800 – Champagne rides to the Statue of Liberty when your team arrives. 1800 – Welcoming Reception on floating clubhouse in harbor (optional)
Thursday, August 14, 2014
1100 – Practice Sailing 1400 – Practice Race 1800 – Opening Ceremony
Friday, August 15, 2014
1100 – Race 1 followed by Races 2 & 3 1800 – Regatta dinner & party
Saturday, August 16, 2014
1100 – Race 4 followed by Races 5 & 6 1800 – Regatta dinner and party
Sunday, August 17, 2014
1100 – Race 7 followed by Race 8 1800 – Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Racing Area:
Races will be held in New York Harbor. The scenery is spectacular with the skyline of Manhattan on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the other. The start and finish of all races will be from the Manhattan Sailing Club’s floating clubhouse which is permanently anchored north of Ellis Island.
Courses:
Courses will be windward-leeward. Inflatable marks will be set by Race Committee. Because the starting location is fixed, races may start in any direction, including upwind or downwind.
Local Representative:
In addition to your crew, one Local Representative will sail on each boat. The “Local Rep” will provide local knowledge and a VHF radio to communicate with the Race Committee. Local Reps will stay with the boat while racing teams rotate.
Spectators:
All races will be run from the harbor clubhouse and spectators are invited to watch. The clubhouse can hold up to 149 people and transportation is provided by club launch.
Our own Hugo Ottoway has come 9th and we are looking forward to a news exclusive just as soon as Hugo cane email it through. ResultsDennis Conner Challenge Results
Maybe next year you want to enter a team – I am told that it is a great time over there.
Also in the same style of overseas regattas is the Pacific Keelboat Challenge in Auckland NZ. Go here to read about that. Pacific Keelboat Challenge
CYCSA’s sheltered marina with the clubhouse in the background
The 2015 J24 National Championships will be held on 8 – 11 January at the CYCSA in Adelaide.
December 15th Update – SAILING INSTRUCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE – DOWNLOAD BELOW
Only one local hull is now available, so if you want in at the last minute this is the time to grab this boat. Entries need to be put in by TOMORROW at the latest – today is better. Interest is shaping up to be around the 20 boat mark so this is going to be a great regatta
For those wanting to get some racing in early, there will be a Twilight Race on Wednesday evening, a W/L course starting around 1800 with the number of laps to suit the breeze and reds back at the bar to follow – Jim is keen to get everyone in the mood for the main game. So if you are keen to sail the twilight, please give Jim an email on jim@micrometonline.com just so he has an idea of the number of entries beforehand.
Ladies – ‘bring a plate’ – No ! Don’t worry girls you don’t have to bring anything but yourself and your smile, but you could win a cup. Jim tells me they are giving a trophy for the first female skipper and you are going to be surprised at the name this trophy is going to have. Can’t let you know that here, but it is another reason for the ladies to race hard. Jeanette – that means you could possibly take away at least two trophies this year ! No Ron – no dressing up, it won’t apply to you and your boatload of girls !
December 8th Update – Early bird entries close on the 17th December and race office will be closed from that date due to Xmas break until the 7th of January so it is important that entries are received this week.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE CYCSA DOESN’T HAVE ONLINE ENTRIES. SO YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE BACK OF THE NOR AND FAX OR SCAN AND EMAIL BACK TO THE RACING MANAGER (JESS HARGREAVES)
HER EMAIL ADDRESS IS Racing.Manager@cycsa.com.au IT IS ALSO ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTRY FORM
IF YOU WANT TO EFT YOUR ENTRY FEE TO THE CYCSA: HERE ARE THE DETAILS
Bank details:
BSB 035-000
a/c 290626
name Cruising Yacht Club of SA
Please put ‘J24 Nationals’ as your description and add your name when making payment this way
Jim Townsend the SA President says there are still two local hulls available for crews wanting to use them. One was previously taken but the visiting crew are now bringing their own boat I gather. So you can still get to the Nationals on the cheap and have a ball, but you need to get in quick !
He also tells me that there is going to be great social atmosphere, plenty of SA wine and good food and a relaxed approach to the champs to make sure everyone has heaps of fun.
Don’t let that fool you though, mystery surrounds the Sydney fleet entrants, the Thommo Cup is on this year, so that’s one – Jeanette and her girls, Convicts and Kaotic are probable ‘no goes’ so the title is up for grabs, the Black Prince will be there and he wants it back – bad, the Shorts and O’Rourkes from ‘The Shire’ want to take it north, as does former World Moth champ Dave McKay, of course there are another half dozen wannabees from Vic with the same idea, Dougie Watson and the locals want to keep it there so it will be hot on the water!
Want to play ? Get in touch with Jim and get one of those boats asap
Mid November Update – Interest in attending the Nationals is growing by the week with several Cronulla teams booking boats to use and several Sydney Harbour crews also planning to go. There will be approx 9 local SA crews sailing and up to 8 Victorian crews planning to go. Thats a fleet of nearly 20 boats enjoying the great sailing water off the CYCSA. The supply of local boats available to be charterd is now nearly exhausted so you need to make a move quickly if you want one.
The club has a very good set up with lots of hard stand area, trailer parking and gear storage. It has crane and ramp launching for Js and plenty of wet sail mooring area right in front of the club. Walk 20 metres from your boat and you are at either the outdoor BBQ and catering area, wet bar and the club restarant and bar, it is a great set up with your boat in a sheltered marina and a cold drink in your hand after sailing. The club is very friendly and will look after your needs very happily – as will the class association.
If you haven’t been there before – give Jim Townsend a call for directions, organisational help and anything else you need on the way to the start line. He is a great guy and is driving the regrowth of the SA Fleet and this regatta in particular. Jim is also happy to help people with trailer usae to get to Adelaide as well.
There will be some hulls available for those wanting to fly in with sails and there maybe some assistance with trailers as well, but get in early for those – now wouldn’t be too soon.
The format will be a 4 day regatta starting on the Thursday and running through to Sunday, this minimises the time off work for fly-in crew to 2 days.
Jim Townsend, the current SA President is planning a great regatta with an opening function, prize giving function on the Sunday night and informal evenings on the Friday and Saturday.
If you haven’t sailed there before, Adelaide is great sailing with seabreezes to around 20knots and warm sunny weather the norm.
To keep measurement time to a minimum, boats should have a current measurement cert, insurance cert and inventory cert organised prior and sent in with your entry. As usual check measurements may be made at any time during the regatta period. So prepare your boat before hand and make sure you have it all sorted.
NEW INFORMATION FROM JIM TOWNSEND – NOW ONLINE ON THE REGATTA PAGE updated as of 24/7/14
Click here to go to the regatta page for more information Regatta Page
The 2014 NSW J24 State Championships will be held on 1 & 2 November at Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club in Sydney Harbour. NOR to follow, but any early enquiries, please contact Paula 0404 539176.
As the Balmain Regatta is the week prior, you may wish to use that as training ready for an anticipated hot fleet at the State Championships!
The Balmain Regatta once again has a J24 Division and we encourage all J24’s to enter this great one day regatta. It’s 3 months away so get your teams organised now and lets support this event. Everyone wants one design racing so heres a great opportunity for you to race solely against other J24s.
Balmain Regatta is one of Sydney’s oldest sporting events, with a long history in our waterways. It was first held in 1849 and continued until 1934, when it was discontinued. It was revived in 1994 by the Wooden Boat Association, and Balmain Sailing Club. Today it is run by Balmain Sailing Club, with the support of other harbour sailing clubs and community organisations, and is a real celebration of Balmain and sailing on the Western Harbour. The Balmain Sailing Club invites sailors, boaties and the general community to join with us for the 2014 Balmain Regatta. It will include a full day of racing and water events, along with a non-stop stream of food, refreshments and activities for everyone. The racing area will generally be west of Sydney Harbour Bridge – although some of the faster classes will venture under the Bridge to Shark Island before returning to finish with all other classes in front of the Balmain Sailing Club.
Cairns Yacht Club is hosting the 2014 FNQ J24 Championship, to be held on 4-6 October this year. We don’t know alot about it yet and are waiting for more details but I guess you can imagine racing in the warn northern waters, fair winds, palm trees, bikinis and board shorts, pinacoladas etc. Doesn’t sound all bad does it !
They have some boats available for charter (it’s a long way to take your own !)
Interested – then you need to get in contact with Brian Dowling the Cairns YC Commodore on 07 4031 2750 or email dowling1952@gmail.com by the 1st August.
Mat Short, the rising star in the fast growing fleet of J24s at Cronulla, proved the old maxim – if you want to finish first, first you have to finish – and although he blitzed the racing on Saturday, not sailing on Sunday put an end to his (deserved) potential championship winning result. Instead a short and happy Dave McKay with a huge reputation for success and giving back to the sport, took the honours in a switch around (after a error in the race points was realised) from the prizegiving honours where one of our newest female skippers, Lia Darby was deservedly awarded first place (for a short time). Lia now scores an equally well deserved second place after a huge effort in delivering, preparing and racing hard in the demanding conditions (and then sailing it back to Sydney). Well done Lia !
Held over the weekend of the 6-9 June, the Cronulla Sailing Club in Sydney, ran a very successful J24 short course regatta. Racing was focused on a windward leeward style event with legs at no more than 750 meters to ensure close racing between all. Mick Reynolds, the J24 captain at Cronulla with the great help of Fiona Campbell off COOEE TOO, led a keen group of volunteers in bringing this regatta to a successful conclusion. (Much of this story is also written by Mick and edited by Simon). This event is planned as an annual event and planning is already underway for next year over the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend 2015.
The Friday saw horizontal rain and weather that we all love in Sydney for this time of year. Boats had already began to gather with STARPAC being delivered the Sunday prior and RIFF RAFF being sailed from AUSSEA Sailing School on Botany Bay on the Thursday. SAILPAC arrived by trailer.
The most spectacular arrival would have to have been Steve O’Rouke who towed his J24, ENDLESS SUMMER from Botany Bay on the Saturday morning in 2 to 3metre Seas ! I didn’t know a J could to 15kts, but anything’s possible behind a super powered twin engine rib!!!
It was interesting to see amongst the crews that when it comes to class racing how many past and present sailing identities, seem to be drawn to an event such as this. The racing therefore was first class!
Racing commenced at 1200 on the Saturday with a planned 4 races. Race starter Dave McLachlan along with Dennis McClaren, started the fleet of 14 boats in a good solid 15 to 20knt SSW Breeze and a nice sunny day. Racing in the Port Hacking Estuary to a windward mark set off the beautiful shores of the Royal National Park.
Great sailing by young skipper Mat Short and the crew on SHORT FACED, including Mat’s mum, saw them take 4 of the five races conducted to see SHORT FACED in the lead on completion of day one.
Unfortunately due to prior sailing commitments with his sail maker father Ian, Mathew Short was unable to race on the second day.
On Sunday the 3 scheduled races got underway in a solid 20 to 25 knt SSW gusting to 30knt. STARPAC won the first race of the second day in strengthening conditions that with the short 500m leg meant a number of boats elected to run without kites to avoid wipeouts as performed by numerous others. The tough starting conditions also saw local boats, MCKAY MARINE, PINOT, SLIPPERY FISH and CJ CONSTRUCTIONS score OCS, leaving the gate open for The Girls on COOEE TOO to come storming through in 4th – their best race finish – go girls !
SAILPAC won the final two races of the regatta and a very well deserved 3rd place overall for Tim Briggs, the current NSW treasurer and all-round nice guy. Says Tim, “it’s the first time I have helmed the J in a major regatta and I was scared as hell on the Saturday and even more on the Sunday.” Well done Tim. Racing over for the day and the real race, back to the clubhouse and bar began. The Cronulla clubhouse is a great venue, situated right on the water, (with watering deck) and a crane and a small amount of hard stand. Right at the top of Gunnamatta Bay, the view and atmosphere is superb.
Dave McKay, once again proved he’s not just a short man with a pretty face (Dave got hit by the boom and although covered with blood, with his broad grin, quipped that he had ‘finally got into the girls loo’ as Lia and Michelle off STARPAC did the nurse thing for him) and after sailing a very good regatta took out the championship once the drop was finally enacted.
The final result is amended and is as follows:
Place
Hull Number
Boat
Helm
Score
1
AUS-1317
McKay Marine
D McKay
16
2
AUS-5247
Starpac
L Darby
21
3
AUS-5085
Sailpac
T Briggs
22
4
AUS-1309
Only A Journey
M Sellers
34
5
AUS-1645
Short Faced
M Short
41
6
AUS-4439
Wave Cutter II
G Thorburn
44
7
AUS-1646
Slippery Fish
B Edwards
48.5
8
AUS-1635
CJ Constructions
C Hood
52
9
AUS-4791
Endless Summer
S O’rouke
56
10
AUS-4430
Pinot
B Ryan
60
11
AUS-2633
Cooee Too
C Brighton
61
12
AUS-930
Riff Raff
M Van Dinther
75
13
AUS-1643
Flick Pass
M Kirby
84
14
AUS-1113
Onyx II
A Ulanov
105
Mat Short, who I think needs to be encouraged to compete on the National circuit is excited about the prospects of the class and his own boat at Cronulla, “It was really good to see so many boats get out there and such close racing out on the water. Credit should go to Dave McLachlan and his team on the start boat setting a good course conducive to competitive racing in the conditions and for their hard work (as always). I would also like to thank the sponsors for getting onboard with the regatta and hopefully it will continue to grow over the coming years.” (Sail with us Mat – Dave S needs a push along !)
From Mick, “The Race Committee would like to thank all competitors for making the weekend such a success, supporting an event based on participation and racing J24s. Also the sportsmanship shown when penalties and boats may have touched, with penalty turns enacted as to no protests being lodged. The Cronulla Sailing Club is committed to relighting the passion in the owners and crews, to engage and support the upcoming J24 NSW Association Racing Program.”
From Simon.”To those that didn’t know about it – look at the website more often. To those who didn’t come – that’s one you don’t want to miss next year. To Hugo, planned and prepared and ready to come, but took a fall off a ladder at work the week before and is still in hospital. From the fleet at Cronulla and at large, Get well soon Hugo, we missed you.
Thanks also to Phil Rogers for his great photography – you can see a heap of photos here – pics
Did you do the regatta and want to add a story – email it to Mick and we’ll put it online.
Mick Reynolds from Slippery Fish has been doing a great job driving the organisation for a unique Queens Birthday Weekend Regatta at Cronulla. Designed to be a short course regatta, it will feature up to 8 races over the long weekend, in either the wide blue ocean in Bate Bay, or perhaps in more sheltered Bundeena Bay if the weather is inclement.
Entry is just 80 bucks so there is no excuse for not getting your boat to Cronulla for this great regatta. Sail your boat down from Sydney, trail from anywhere, there is a crane to put you in and there is a full social program to keep the conversation going. Mick and the Cronulla YC have done a great job organising this so come along, support the regatta and have a great time.
Here’s the great thing about this weekend – its a J regatta, but there will be no measuring or weighing, in fact if you have a read of the NOR and you will see that this is all deliberately waived – you have to be a J24 but no one is going to check the details – this is a regatta with the emphasis on FUN RACING and FUN ASHORE
We are promoting sailing at the Cronulla and promoting sailing J24s.
By Doug MacGregor, President J24 Association Victoria
Doug MacGregor, our hard working Pres
The title of this could be “Crackerjack for Sale”. It’s not. And, she’s not. In this report I am going to be a bit self indulgent but more of that later. We really couldn’t have a had a better regatta. First off…a fantastic sponsor!!! Brilliant and challenging winds on day one. Four different winners of the first four heats. And, I think it was Dave Suda that said “very much improved starting techniques of the whole fleet” gave all of the top guns a surprise and here and there even pinged a couple of them out the back. Clear air was the only currency worth bothering about on a start line that felt a combination of a scrum and an orgy. I certainly heard the F word a lot. Truth be told, I used it a lot. Someone also threatened to shove my boat up my arse. (Charming). The way I sailed in this championship, if you have seen the results, was as if it was already well up there. But, hats off to the trophy winners. Just the most brilliant effort in that fleet and in those ever changing conditions.
In no particular order my memories of the weekend come at me … if you’re left out I apologise … and most of my recollections involve the back end of the fleet for obvious reasons .… But first, those who gave of their time, that most precious commodity. We are all in their debt. Volunteers, J folk volunteers … are just the best people I have ever met in sport. Full stop. Thank you all very, very much.
To the championship …. Hugo, AKA The Maestro, coming forth by one point having stitched a crew together that hardly knew each other. (his name is Shane not Sean mate). What could that man be capable of with a consistent and dedicated team? Pacemaker … words fail me. I saw them get fired out the back of a start and they were still second to the top mark. Good for them and for the class, to see them challenged every inch of the way, even if it was mostly by our cousins from NSW in Convicts. WTF are those blokes? Going to windward in the last race I bloody well had them … and they just sailed right over me. I shrugged my shoulders and thought “National Champion” whatreyegonnydo? I saw Hyper fly around the race track like their homes were on fire and again we all were in awe of what those girls are capable of. They hardly sail compared to the rest of the J folk…yet there they go, first in a ‘tougher than the nationals’ state championship heat.
Unasked for advice….Get off those big boats, stop fannying about folding sails for rich guys and come back. (preaching over, I promise).
Question; Did Warren put an engine in that thing … no matter what I did, there J Force f’ing well was. In front of me. In every race. Well done mate! John Neville? Astonishing speed. And, apparently, he sails by his balls … they tell me that’s why he shouts so much .… it’s not pretty, so never look too closely. Moulang? Yes, Peter “I’ll bring the Sheilas” Moulang. Has sailed four times this side of new year and his boatspeed made me wonder if I was racing with my anchor over the side. ‘Magnificent’ is one of Pete’s favourite words. It’s the only one applicable. And then there was Kicking Bottom. KB is the J24s answer to that mad boy in your class at school. The one that ran about like a looney, breaking everyone’s pencils, spilling paint, hiding all the jackets in the bin and making the teacher cry. Yet somehow, he gets a report card that says “the boy is a genius … just needs to focus”. Isn’t green just such an annoying colour. Hand on heart it was good to see Martin Hall sail Fly Away Jay so well … it was fantastic to see the young women on ‘Jive’ the Sidetracked sponsored boat throw that boat about like it was part of their very selves …. and, I’ll be honest I have no idea who the young blokes on Gatsby were, but one of my favourite memories will be them laughing their nutsacks off as the Sidetracked girls almost broached. Playground jeering but fantastic fun.
Finally, one abiding but crucifying memory; we probably came out of the final start in 4/5 position. We couldn’t have been happier. Three tacks later we make our final tack on to the lay line for the top mark …. Lovin’ every second. Over we go. Last place. We invented a new word; absolfu**inguetlyfu**ingbefu**ingmusing. Seemed to be the story of our states … though in one heat we were 7th to the first top mark. A glimpse of out true potential I said to my crew. My Crew. My lovely crew. My patient, dedicated, kind and hard working crew. It’s a wonder they didn’t throw me overboard. I am so grateful to them for sailing with me and sticking by the boat through thin and thinner. The silence on our boat as we sailed in after the last race was deafening. But it’s ok crew. I get it. Thanks you Robbie, Priscilla, James and Geoff. You all deserve better.
