Tuesday, June 11, 2013

J/70 North American's Sold Out!

J/70 one-design fleet- sailing off starting line(Annapolis, MD)- Anticipation was high for the first ever J/70 North American Championship, but no one expected the overwhelming, rapid response to the opening of registration this past Monday.  In what may be a world-record for any one-design fleet (dinghy, catamaran or keelboat), the regatta reached its 90-boat entry threshold within 28 hours!!  That's stunning, it will be sailing's version of a "Woodstock rock festival" as hundreds of J sailors flock to the Chesapeake Bay in September. Hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club and J/70 Fleet 1, the J/70 North American Championship will take place from September 26-28, 2013. The list of sailors participating is simply astounding, with many World, North American and European champions from dozens of classes participating.

Regatta registration opened on Monday, June 3 at 9:30 am ET, and J/70 sailors from across North America flooded the event website until the 90-boat limit was achieved around 12:30 pm ET on Tuesday, June 4.  “In 35 years of sailing, I’ve never seen anything close to this,” exclaimed J/70 Class President Joe Colling of Ohio! “Watching the registration all day and seeing those numbers keep climbing demonstrates the unbelievable enthusiasm for the J/70. It’s already an epic event!”

Event organizers limited entries to 90 boats to ensure the highest level of race management and onsite logistics. Competitors may still sign-up and be placed on a wait list.

If you have any questions, you can contact event co-chairs Kathy Parks (kathyparks10@gmail.com/ ph# 443-386-9057) or Will Keyworth (will@sales.northsails.com/ ph# 410-269-5662). Any questions about Annapolis YC should be directed to Regatta Manager Linda Ambrose (lambrose@annapolisyc.org/ ph# 410-263-9147 x106).  Sailing photo credit- Onne Vanderwal.  For more J/70 North Americans sailing information