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Following the 2018 world championships, our six representatives came back enthused by the state of the J24 Class world-wide. The regatta entry list of 97, from 14 countries, boasted a pedigree including multiple Olympic, World and National champions from within the class and further afield. The title was won by twice world J24 champion American Will Welles sailing Kaster, who mixed his crew with two other Americans and two Gold medal Italian sailors, second were the top Japanese crew skippered by Imai Nobuyuki in Siesta and third was American Keith Whittemore in Furio.
There were six different countries in the top ten, which proved that the depth of talent within the class reaches far and wide. The Aussies despite not featuring in the places, were by no means outdone, our teams mixed it with the best in every race, only being out classed by big fleet experience. Final placings were: Brendan Lee 19, Steve Wright 32, Hugo Ottaway 45, Kirsty Harris 59, David West 61 and Simon Grain 62.
The real winner was the class, the influx of the “next generation ” of young, mixed gender J24 sailors taking advantage of competitive, cheap J24’s that are coming onto the market, was stunning. Three all-female youth crews from Germany, a University crew from Tokyo and many junior sailors from Britain and Italy.
This influx is also being observed at home where the local Victorian fleet has now grown to 21, with more potential. The interest in crews wanting to go to the 2019 Florida USA & 2020 Poole U.K. worlds is encouraging, and the active numbers in the chilly Victorian winter series 12+ fantastic. The Gosford regatta has just concluded with 15 starters, winner Brett Lee from Lake Macquarie, with others from Sydney Harbour and Victoria.
The 2018 /19 season starts next week and the feeling around Australia and the rest of the world is that this may be one of the best seasons J24 Class have seen in years.
Hugo Ottaway.