Skandia Cowes Week Attracts 39 Boats
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 Becci Eplett from J-UK sent us this report and photo.
Skandia Cowes Week offers a wonderful blend of thrills and spills both on the race-track and on shore. Love it or hate it, at Cowes, those that can, do! This year the regatta entry list included thirty-nine J/109s racing one-design.
Whilst crowded starts and crowded mark roundings aren't everyone's cup of tea, the 109's loved it! It is always such a pleasure to hear stories about the battles at the front of the fleet and also from others, all of whom had their own 'personal' battles.
This photo of JUST SO is from David McGough. Here's his story: "On Monday of Cowes Week the inshore main ripped in half on the downwind leg and we could not get it down, but we carried on and after a fetch to the shore, came round Gurnard and launched the spinnaker with huge cheers from the spectators, finishing 15th overtaking other boats in a dash for the line. The attached photo captures the moment!"
Despite a packed social programme, the J/109s certainly made the most of the competition on the water. Ben Richards and Michael Ewart-Smith's ZELDA led from the start and never really looked out of contention though I am sure that there were plenty of 'cheek clenching' moments for this formidable crew. In second place overall was Matt Boyle's SHIVA, and in third, the JOHNNY BLUE II crew; Mike Flood, Bruce Jubb and Jeff Dakin. The Royal Southern Trophy (for the race which takes place on the final Saturday) was won by Kirsty and David Apthorp on board the good ship J-DREAM.
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109's Invited to the Annapolis NOOD
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 The J/109 fleet has been on the waiting list to participate as a one design class at the Annapolis NOOD Regatta. The class has just been informed that it will be included at the 2009 event, which takes place April 24-26, 2009. Hosts Annapolis Yacht Club and Sailing World are expecting a great turnout for the most popular and largest NOOD Regatta, so make your plans now. More info will be posted soon on the Sailing World site.
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Irish Nationals at Cork Week
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 The J/109 Irish Nationals were held at Cork Week this year and 26 boats entered for the championship which was raced (of course) according to the Class one-design rule on a level rating basis. This was the first level rating regatta for the J/109s to take place in Ireland and the fact that the entry was so high can only bode well for the future of the J/109 class on Irish shores. The J/109s raced on the full variety of courses at Cork Week, and as is increasingly the case with the J/109s, there was some extremely close and competitive racing to be had, irrespective of whether you were at the top of the fleet or not. At the end of the week it was J-DREAM, owned and raced by Kirsty and David Apthorp that came out on top and secured the J/109 Irish National Championship title. In second place was TIGH SOLIUS (Ken Grant), third was JUKE BOX (Brian Moreton) and John Maybury's team on board JOKER II sailed a formidable series to come in fourth place. Photo courtesy of J-UK.
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Key West 2009 Preview
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Picture the glistening azure
waters and feel the warmth of the Florida sunshine. Envision yourself
and your crew on the starting line, racing among some of the very best
talent in the world. Imagine the electric anticipation that only
Acura Key West 2009, presented by Nautica can deliver. When you're
serious about the sport of sailboat racing, where else could you hope to
be the third week of January?
Premiere Racing invites you to take part in
the 22nd edition of North America's premiere regatta. More info
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Intercollegiate Regatta to Present New Trophy
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The Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club have announced the establishment
of a new perpetual trophy, the Paul Hoffmann Trophy, which will
be awarded to the winner of the annual Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta. The trophy will be presented
for the first time at the 2008 event, which is scheduled for Columbus
Day weekend (October 11-12, 2008) and hosted at Larchmont Yacht
Club (Larchmont, N.Y.). More info
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As summer winds down here in the northern hemisphere, the J/109 class can look back on a very successful season. In spite of economic chaos and high fuel prices, class devotees broke attendance records at events this year (see below). We hope to see class members from both sides of the pond meet up at the 2009 class Midwinters, more usually known as Key West Race Week. 