J/109 E-News

October 2008
In This Issue
Executive Board Wants your Opinion
Intercollegiate Regatta
Hamble Winter Series
Preview Key West
Upcoming Events

Acura Key West 2009

Annapolis NOOD
From the Editor
CNC headshotLast night I "sat" in on the Class Association conference call.  Although regatta attendance has been down this year at events around the US, new attendance records were set at events in the UK.  And the energy level is high among those running the class, which in any economic environment is an invaluable asset. 

The Class Executive Board is considering a few changes to the rules and wants your opinion (see below).  The "Submit your Feedback" link will take you directly to the website forum.  And be sure to check the website for further updates about rules changes.

Another change: we will add a link to the website's home page to facilitate contributions of stories and news.  Remember, this is your newsletter, so submit results, information, or just a link to a recent event. I'll make sure it is shared it with the rest of the J/109 world. -Carol Cronin
Class Executive Board wants your opinion on Proposed Rules Changes

J/109 LogoAt the Executive Board Annual Meeting, several rules change proposals were discussed. Before proceeding further, the Executive Board decided to ask for more thoughts and opinions from class members.

    Under the present rule (5.3), you can declare five sails for an event (main, two class jibs, two chutes). From this inventory, you can designate one jib and one chute each day. What are your thoughts on the following changes to the rule:
1.    From the inventory of five declared sails, you can change jibs and chutes as you choose between races; or

2.    Your inventory of five declared sails includes a smaller, heavy weather jib and / or a heavy weather chute. From this inventory, you can change only to or from heavy weather sails between races. The rules would specify minimum specs for the heavy weather sails.

    Under the present rule (5.7), you can purchase one complete suit of sails each year (one main, jib, and chute). What are your thoughts on modifying the rules to permit purchase of up to any three sails a year?

Submit your feedback

Intercollegiate Regatta Won by a J/109
08 Intercollegiate startBarby MacGowan from Media Pro Int'l prepared this report.  More photos

The annual Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta breezed into Larchmont Yacht Club on Columbus Day Weekend, bringing a whopping 318 college sailors to play on 36 borrowed  boats that included 5 J/109's.   With 29 different colleges and universities competing this year, long-time host Larchmont Yacht Club officially joined forces with the event�s organizer, the Storm Trysail Club (STC), to run what has become the largest college sailing regatta in the country.

Owners again sailed on board the borrowed boats as coaches, helping to introduce college sailors to the challenges and teamwork of big boat racing, and having a good deal of fun themselves.
 
The crews also enjoyed themselves. Jesse Fielding, a University of Rhode Island Sailing Team member said, "The opportunity for college sailors to experience a different perspective on the sport is invaluable. The responsibility of looking after a boat, a crew and an owner are skills that lifelong sailors need to have. It is inspiring to know that the regatta is growing every year. And we are already looking forward to coming back next year." Fielding was one of two URI team members who sailed the 2008 TransPac Race as part of Roy Disney�s Morning Light campaign (which spawned the recently-released Disney movie).

The boats were divided into four one-design classes and one PHRF division. The overall winner of the five-race regatta (based on the best winning percentage) was Mass. Maritime, sailing Rick Lyall�s J/109 STORM. Mass. Maritime is the first winner of the Paul Hoffmann Trophy, a perpetual trophy donated this year by the family of Paul Hoffmann, Jr., in memory of Paul�s father, a past Commodore of the STC and a long-time member of the Larchmont Yacht Club.

Lyall was the first-time winner of the Edward du Moulin Trophy, another new perpetual that is awarded to the winning boat�s owner. Richard du Moulin donated the trophy in memory of his father, a long-time STC member and a founding member of the America�s Cup Hall of Fame.
 
Five races were sailed over two days in shifty light easterlies that died as the days went on. All the courses were windward-leeward twice around and the windward mark was moved each race for the second beat because of the shifty breeze. Frequently, there were classes starting to the left of the committee boat as others were finishing on the right of the boat. Getting the races off quickly was the key to completing three races on Sunday, because the wind shut off just as the last race was finishing.
 
1. USA 146 Storm Mass. Maritime 2 6/TLE 1 1 1 11.0
2. USA 310 Tastes Like Chicken Tufts 1 6/TLE 2 2 2 13.0
3. USA 332 Strider Michigan 3 6/TLE 3 3 5 20.0
4. USA 250 Melody Fordham U. 4 6/TLE 4 4 3 21.0
5. USA 52750 Wingweaver Dartmouth 5 6/TLE 5 5 4 25.0
Hamble Winter Series Continues through November 30

Dave and Kirsty Apthorp's JDREAM continues to dominate the multi-weekend Garmin Hamble Winter Series.  Full results

Key West 2009 Preview
KW09banner 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

This enewsletter was edited and produced for the J/109 Class Association by
Carol Newman Cronin of Live Wire.