Victoria was graced by the opportunity to meet Stuart Jardine and his wife Mary Ann who made the time to catch up with our National measurer Pete Stevens, Victorian measurer Mark Haughton, Assistant measurer Doug McGregor and several members of the J24 fleet at Sandringham.
Stuart is based in the U.K. and is a member of the International J 24 technical committee along with Pete Stevens. His experiences in Europe, as well and the America’s over the past 30 years has given him a wealth of knowledge regarding the boats and he spoke of his vision regarding future and the where the class is going in the next 10 years and beyond. During his brief meeting, he was able to instruct our new measurers in the latest methods of measuring a J.
Stuart, was impressed by the national data base which has been correlated by the states and processed by Pete Stevens. With changes in the boats and new technology the class will be able to keep abreast of the best ways to make our measurement process fair and quick.
A strong measurement process is one of the fundamental stones that make the J24 Class such a great boat to race.
It’s not easy being a measurer, as I know having been involved at the highest level since 1988 and we should support the system that maintains our status as a prestige Class. To win a J24 National Title is one of the highest achievements in sailing, both here and abroad.
Lets help in maintaining our investment and encourage and support our measurers who currently are working towards a updated list of measured boats.
Yours, Hugo. N. Ottaway, past Victorian measurer.
Simon’s Note: Stuart was doing the Geelong Regatta prior to taking a holiday in New Zealand where Mary Ann has family. Happily, Pete Stevens organised him to stay with us and he told us many stories of his time in J24’s, he is truely an amazing man. He also informed us that he is apparently the oldest man to sail a foiling moth achieved when he was 78 years old !
For more information on Stuart, see this article on the international site http://www.j24class.org/uncategorized/international-j24-class-honors-stuart-jardine/