The current issue of the International J/24 Pulse newsletter is now available via PDF at

Always a tough competitive regatta, the Vic States also has a tradition of great hospitality and social get together.

The Vic States this year are to be held at Sandringham Yacht Club on March 28/29.

Starting with a welcome BBQ at the Ken King Centre on Friday evening, racing on Saturday followed by dinner in the Harbour View restaurant (Totally booked out for the J24 competitors), racing on Sunday followed by a presentation BBQ at the Ken King Centre.

ENTRY and NOR available on the SYC website here

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• J24 registration and crew weigh-in will take place in the SYC Auditorium on Friday 27 March between 1600 hrs and 1900 hrs and Saturday 28 March between 0700 hrs and 0830 hrs.

 Proposed Race Schedule

No warning signal shall be made after 1430 hrs on Sunday 29 March 2020.

There will be no re-sails after Sunday 29 March 2020.

TRAILER AND CAR PARKING

• Road trailers used to transport interstate boats to and from the regatta may be stored at the Sandringham Yacht Club for the duration of the event.
• Each interstate boat will be provided with parking for one vehicle in the SYC member’s car park during the event. An access “key” will be required, subject to the payment of a refundable bond.
• Car parking for Victorian members (boat owners and crew) will be subject to the normal rule of access at SYC. Car parking is available in Council car parks in Jetty Road or in nearby streets for those without SYC car park access.

All welcome, call Vic President Warren Campbell for more information on 0418 530 670

2020 J24 NATIONAL COMMITTEE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

AGENDA

TIME:                    8:00am Saturday  4^th January 2020

VENUE:                Middle Harbour Yacht Club

Attendees
Welcome
President’s report
Treasurers Report

Proposed New Committee for 2020

• President Ron Thomson
• Vice President Hugo Ottaway
• Publicity Simon Grain
• SSF Representative Steve Wright
• Syd Harbour Representative Arthur Crothers

General Business

• Keel Bolts
• Mike Ingram possible visit
• New boats from Argentina
• Measurement standards
• IJCA fees are going up

Insufficient attendance at AGM for a quorum.

National meeting in March 2020 agreed to continue with existing committee and publish reports on website for comments

.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Here we are at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, the home of sailing on the North Shore of Sydney Harbour.  We have heard many stories about the smoke haze over Sydney but it is pleasing to see this has now cleared.  Appreciate the timing of this year’s Nationals is tight to New Year but it is during the vacation period for most businesses allowing participants not to cut into their annual leave entitlements.  Next year the timing will be significantly better extending to the following weekend after New Year which allows the Hobart sailors the opportunity to attend.

In summery the highlights of 2019 have been:

• We have a first time National Champion, Brendon Lee from SYC, who will be out to defend his title this year. Congratulation Brendon and hopefully your new boat is as good as your previous one.
• Brendon backed up the Nationals title to win the Victorian Championships showing it was no fluke in Adelaide beating a very strong fleet in Melbourne
• Some fellow fluked the Cronulla short course regatta beating a fleet of 10 boats in balmy conditions off Cronulla Beach.
• Sean Kirkjan showed his skills by winning again in Gosford and giving yours truly a sailing lesson
• Well the NSW Championships ended in protest and counter protest with Steve Wright winning the title for the first time. Congratulation Steve.

It is pleasing to note Australia was again represented in the J24 Worlds in Miami with three boats.  The Australian definitely made an IMPACT in a literal sense but were all well beaten in brutal conditions.

I attended the J24 World Council whilst in Miami, only because it was an air conditioned room.  A couple of key points were discussed which I wish to bring to your attention.

• The issue of lifting straps and keel bolts is causing concern due to the mishap with Jack’s boat. The class is 45 years old and some of the boats are showing their age.  It is important to bring your attention to reviewing your keel boats to ensure they have not been compromised by water damage.  Also lifting straps should be replaced every few years.  There is an article on the J24 website showing how you should check your keel bolts and I urge everyone to conduct a review this year.
• In Miami, I met with Mike Ingram, an outstanding J24 sailor having been in the case many years. I am keen on upskilling the J24 fleet and thought the best approach would be to have someone like Mike come and visit us and provide two days training, one in Sydney and the other in Melbourne.  Mike, who works for North Sails, is involved in training the USA Paralympic team and for many other classes.  I am told Mike is a better teacher than a skipper which is hard to imagine considering his results.  What do people think?  I am thinking the National Body will pick up his airfares and the State Association will pay his teaching costs, which he says will be substantially discounted.
• The 2020 Worlds will be held in Poole UK and those wishing to find out details can speak to Lorna Graham, who is on the organising Committee. In 2021, the World will be held in Argentina and I wish to discuss a potential opportunity to acquire new boats for Australia.  There is a J24 boat builder in Argentina and there is an opportunity for a couple of new boats being built for this event.  These boats would be leased out for the Championships, probably to the Americans.  There is a possibility for these boats to be made available to Australia less the leasing fee.  Not sure as to the costs as yet but would people be interested if we can keep the cost below $40K?  I am told the Argentina boats are just as fast as the Italians.
• It is recognised that overall the J24 class measurements are old and probably need to be renewed. The International body wants to upgrade all measurement certificates and I am keen for Australia to be at the forefront of this project.  I have spoken to Hugo Ottaway and we will be reviewing our records with a view to bring them up to date.
• The International fees will be going up next year and with the current exchange rate we may have to charge a little more for the first time in 10 years. I will let you know about the details when they become available.

We are looking to hold next year’s Nationals in Melbourne at Sandringham Yacht Club.  Keep an eye out on the website for details.

I wish to thank the current committee for their help and assistance during the year

This is a great article from North Sails

North Sails Expert Mike Ingham spoke with the 2019 J/24 World Champion skipper about what it took to win. Team Furio had an impressive win at the J/24 Worlds. The class is going strong, and with 79 boats from 20 countries, they averaged 5.5 points!

I trained with Keith’s team leading up to the Worlds, and we were both pretty quick, so a few days after his win I called to ask him how they posted such a consistently impressive scoreline over conditions that ranged from go-below light air to sailing with the small jib. He called out three key factors: team (the right balance of skill and attitude); preparation (a well prepared boat, and a solid training plan); and speed (he is a fanatic about sails, rig tune, and trim).

Continue reading …

Megan Aulich with the Aussie flag at the opening ceremony. Three crews from Sandringham YC are at the worlds.

The first day of on water activity included a practice race and a few much needed practice starts. Pretty punishing weather saw a fleet of 50 odd boats out for the invitational race, which started on a black flag after nearly half the fleet jumped all three practice starts.

Published in Scuttlebutt on September 11th, 2019
by Josh Toso

This is a really great article on the special bond that sailing and J24 sailing in particular brings to our lives and I recommend you have an enjoyable read, maybe even pat yourself on the back to be part of this community.

A week before the start of 2019 J/24 US National Championship, I was presented with the opportunity to hop on a crew for the regatta. A buddy of mine, whom I have sailed against for many years and a couple times on his J/24, was in dire need of crew as his had bailed and he was contemplating just bagging the event altogether.