J24 Blog

Light wind and only one race today in Cannigione. The wind was at times flukey, as described by Tom Quinn:

Next upwind got jammed in at the left gate, rounded ok, and headed across the fleet to the right again – hmm, this time the right lifted and lifted and lifted. We sailed a great circle route and joined the last downwind toward the back …

The top boats didn’t fare too well either with the top three from yesterday, Canadian Milev Rossi, Brazilian Maurico Santa Cruz, and American Mark Hillman finishing out of the top 10. Rossi, driving for Bob Turner and his British boat, Serco Headcase, finished 44th today. The race was won by German Stephanie Koepcke, currently in 36 position overall, followed by Italians Gaetano Pellizzaro and Andrea Casale.

Now that five races are on the books the throw away comes into play. With his third place finish today Casale moved into first overall. Santa Cruz with his 14th place dropped to fourth leaving Milev Rossi and Mark Hillman at 2nd and 3rd. Brazilian Daniel Glomb, Ian Southworth from Great Britain, and American Keith Whittemore, who finished 6th today, rounded out the top 7.

Full results here.

[Source: yachtsandyachting.com]

Chris McLaughlin with Immarsat Hedgehog Reports

Canadian Rossi Milev takes over the lead as Hillman moves up

Day two of the J24 World Championship in Cannigione, Sardinia saw two more races and new faces moving up the board. The day belonged to American sailor, Mark Hillman and crew, sailing Wip, and scoring two firsts with Rossi Milev of Canada, steering for Bob Turner and his British boat, Serco Headcase, scoring two seconds. Milev has been very consistent and holds the overall lead.

Race 3 was sailed in winds around 10 mph and an opening beat of 1.6 miles. Leaders pushed both sides of the course, but it was Hillman who got to the left first and managed to take the lead by the weather mark, followed by Milev, Massimo Fillipo of Italy, and Ian Southworth.

The run continued its previous days challenges, with those who pressed to either shoreline being rewarded with additional puffs of breeze, while boats in the middle got less initial pressure. In a trend for the day, puffs would pass crews by, or disappear a matter of feet on either side of them.

One left handed gust brought five boats, led by Stefan Karsunke of Germany, sailing Max Bahr and Mike Ingham of USA back into fourth and fifth places, whilst Southworth fell to fourteenth place. At the leeward mark the Race Officer shortened the next beat, with places remaining unchanged until the run. Once again local puffs were the dominant factor with the fleet as Hillman and Milev extended their lead. The pack closed up and places changed again. Southworth found breeze this time and moved through to overtake boats, including Andrea Casale of Italy and finish just feet behind Santa Cruz of Brazil to record an eight place. The first ten were Hillman, Milev, Fillipo, Karsunke, Ingham, Santa Cruz, Southworth, Peer Kock of Germany and Andrea Casale.

Race Four had an increasing breeze, at times to around 15 mph, with the weather mark moved five degrees further right and a 1.6 mile beat. Hillman won the start and .pushed forward in a repeat of the morning to the left side of the course. Second into the left shore were local sailors, Aurelio Bini in Sardares and Di Fraia, in Slam, followed by Paul Toms of Ireland in Joya and Ian Southworth on Inmarsat Hedgehog. Lucy McGregor, and her team are getting to grips with the boat and rounded just behind, along with Milev in.

With limited place changing on the run, the race officer moved the weather mark another five degrees to the right. Hillman, Bini and Southworth took the left – hand leeward mark and pushed right, while Di Fraia, Toms, McGregor and Milev headed left. Crossing to the left, Hillman and Bini held a comfortable margin and Southworth passed Di Fraia and Toms. But once again, Milev showed his teams grasp of the local conditions to work the left and slip passed Southworth and at the finish line to take second from Bini.

The top ten were: Hillman, Milev, Bini, Southworth,Di Fraia,Toms, Santa Cruz, Fabio Nocera of Italy, Casale and Wilcox ofGermany.

The series leader is Canadian Milev, helming for World Class Chairman, Bob Turner of Great Britain. Their boat, Headcase, is the only J24 to have won two World Championships, with Ken Read at the helm. Perhap this will be a third?

A discard comes into play after Race five of the ten race series and another light airs day is anticipated for Day three.

Stuart Streuli interviews Charlie Enright at the Fleet 50 Blog. An excerpt:

 The key to starting is getting one that can help you execute your game plan. The best way to end up where you want to be on the line is to back it all up a couple of steps. If you know you want to be at the middle of the line at go, you know you want to be on your final approach to starboard of the boat at a 1:30, and if you know that you also know that you want to be on port in the middle of the line at 2:30. I like to tell my crew how many maneuvers we have left as it becomes apparent. We have a bow guy calling lengths to the line. We have the trimmer listening to the helmsman who only says, trim, slow, or racing…we have one person dedicated to the time and another looking back for scoopers. Our time guy is our radio guy after the start.

From the Bermudans:

Tonight – D&S party. Usual tactic – try and get everyone ahead of us pissed (will need a lot of rum!!!).

[Source: J24 Arzachena]

10.06.2008:: Arzachena – Cannigione. Day two of the J24 World Championships, contested in the waters off of Cannigione in the Gulf of Arzachena. 

The second day saw a steady easterly blowing 18 knots, ideal for this type of boat, the J24, which is especially fast in such conditions ensuring a great spectacle especially when the fleet numbers seventy-six boats representing 17 countries as it does in this edition of the Worlds.

The first race Tuesday morning, saw the success of American Mark Hillman in “Wip,” finishing ahead of Malev Rossi in the British boat “Serco” in second place, and Italian Filippo Masia of the Porto Rotondo Yacht Club in “Boomerang.” Fourth place was taken by the Brazilian Daniel Glomb in “Bravissimo,” followed by American Mike Ingham in “Brain Cramp” and current World Champion Maurico Santa Cruz in “Bruschetta.”

The second race was contested on a much longer route, with all boats packed together under very stable wind conditions with a few gusts, making for close and spectacular mark roundings. In the second race Marl Hillman again finished on top followed by Rossi Milev in second and “Sardares” from the Club Nautico di Arzachena in third, moving him up seven places in the overall standings to tenth position. In fourth place was Britain Ian Southworth in “Hedgehog,” followed by Mariolino di Fraia in “Botta Dritta,” and Irishman Paul Toms in “Joya.”

In seventh position was Santa Cruz who won a hard fought battle over Paolo Nocera and “Jam.” They were followed by Andrea Casale, the Italian Champion slipping one position overall from his third poistion after day one.

After four races there is a new overall leader, Milev Rossi with a slim one point lead over the Brazilian Santa Cruz, followed by second day champion Mike Hillman. Andrea Casale is in fourth position, the top Italian.

[Source: J24 Bermuda]

 

Post by Tom Quinn :

Down the run – what an amazing sight – 72 boats behind with chutes set. Great downwind leg – and well set up to go right as planned – plenty of clear air, and covered the fleet this time – another good run – a couple of boats snuck by to a finish of 7th.

[Source: J24 Arzachena]

 09.06.2008:: Arzachena – Cannigione. With good weather and a wind from the north east at just over eight knots, the first races commenced in the J24 World Championships, disputed in the waters of the Gulf of Arzachena and based in Cannigione. The Championship will feature 76 boats from 17 countries competing in two-a-day races over 5 days from today through Friday.

The first day ended with the Argentine Francisco Campero in command of the standings with a 4 point lead over “Bruschetta” and  two-time World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz. In third place is Andrea Casale and “Fiamme Gialle,” fresh from winning the Italian title.

The first day saw Argentinia and Italy dramatically swapping first places. In the first race Camperio won in front of the Japanese “Dabohaze” and Andrea Casale. In the second race Casale utilized local knowledge and took first place, again ahead of an Argentine boat, but this time Matias Pereira of “Carrera Boucheron,” with third place taken by Italian Eugenio Trumpy of Miki II who finished 4th overal thanks to this strong showing.

In fifth place overall was the Peruvian Javier Arribas on “Volvo for Life,” then the British Milev Rossi on “Serco,” and in seventh place the Italian boat “J di F” of Pietro Dimanti.

After day one it is dificult to predict what will happen. Without a doubt this promises to be a duel between the Argentinian boats and Brazilian Santa Cruz who in the first two days has remained somewhat overshadowed, almost wanting to study the situation, opponents and the various strategies depending on wind conditions.

But at the end her day the world champion is in second place just four points from first, ready to pounce at any opportune situation.

 A nice showing from the “financier,” Andrea Casale and a pleasant surprise for Trumpy, Diamnti, and Ravioli, who is in eighth position.

In the first race, surprising everyone, where the  two boats of Circolo Nautico of Arzachena, Sardares and Nord Est, who have finished in the sixth and eighth position. But in the second race the fell back to earth and finished in the eighteenth and nineteenth position.

Results after two races: Francisco Compero, Maurico Santa Cruz, and Andrea Casale are the leaders. Americans Mark Hillman, Keith Whittemore, and Sonny Gibson are 9th, 20th, and 21st respectively.

Ian Southworth and Chris McLaughlin on GBR 4177 (Hedgehog) are currently in 17th position and Pete Ramsdale and Tom Quinn on BER 3158 are currently in 29th.

[source yachtsandyachting.com]

Hedgehog Crew Chris McLaughlin Reports

Race officer, Peter Regio had his work cut out as the 78 strong J24 World Championship fleet tested out his line for the practice race at the J24 World Championship on Sunday.

The event at Cannigione, Sardinia, has attracted entries from 18 countries including the current World Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz from Brazil.

After two general recalls and a Black Flag, the bulk of the fleet took the race officer at his word when he warned by VHF that another premature mass start would result in abandonment for the day. The fleet lined up and was led over by United 5 of Germany and World Champion, Santa Cruz.

But starting to leeward and behind, it was Ian Southworth sailing Inmarsat Hedgehog, who led the race to the weather mark, followed by Canada’s Rossi Milev, sailing class Chairman, Bob Turner’s boat, Headcase, second and Santa Cruz in Bruschetta third.

In a repeat of their Italian Nationals performance, Hedgehog lead on every course leg.

Only when two thirds of the way up did the fleet realise the race officer. Had recalled the fleet via a last minute postponement flag.

Comments Ian Southworth:

“Conditions were great and and although we saw the AP, most of the top competitors were around us, so we just kept going”.

After a run and two beats Hedgehog had an extensive lead on the main fleet and as the Race committee lifted the old windward mark in front of him, he bore away, hoisted spinnaker and led the sinners home toward the bar.

Line honors went to Paul Toms of Ireland, sailing Joya from Edward Cox of the Royal Sydney YC and Alec Hughes of Peru. Just seven boats started and finished correctly, the remaining 70 opting to sail theiir own race…

Much lighter wind is forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday when the World Championship starts in earnest.

[Source: j24class.org]

Seventy-one crews, from 15 countries to date, have qualified and entered for what promise to be a hard-fought title. Crewing among the competitors is two-time J24 World Championship, Maurico Santa Cruz from Brazil. Joining the South American contingent is match-racer Dan Glomb.

The  UK, yet to win the event, is represented by eight boats, including four-time European Champion, Ian Southworth, and Lucy McGregor, International Olympic Yngling sailor who will attempt to take the Women’s title.  International J24 Class Chairman, Bob Turner, will compete in his boat Headcase – a previous world championship winner.

Others travelling great distances to compete are Japan’s Kazuki Kumagai and Tsuji Hiromoto; Alistair Morrison and two other entries from Australia. Top  USA teams include helmsmen Mark Hillman, Keith Whittemore and Mike Ingham.

Leading Italian crews include Luigi Ravioli, Eugenio Trumpy, Pasquale di Fraia and Andrea Casale.

The J24 World Championship has launched the careers of many of today’s top professionals. The resumes of America’s Cup Circuit and Volvo Ocean Race sailors are littered with J24 Class championship titles. With over 5400 boats built, the J24 can easily claim to be the World’s favourite one-design keelboat.

Nothing has come close to the J24 and its impact since the first hull emerged from the Johnson family garage as a self-build project. The J24 remains the perfect crossover between performance sports boats and a family cruiser, between the Club Racer and the International aspirant. Most of all, it remains great fun amongst its devotees.

Follow all the action at the 2008 J24 World Championship at the J24 Arzachena website here.