The last race was held in light northerly breezes, and the Race officer bravely issued a course with a downwind start, passing the crowded spectator fleet off Fort Adams and Castle Hill.
Both yachts got away cleanly but Velsheda elected the pin end, closer to the next gate and gained a quick advantage. A gybing duel followed, but after a few inside gybes, Ranger caught her spinnaker high in the rigging and it quickly split, loosing them more ground for the recovery.
At the bottom mark Velsheda had gained a 2 minute lead, enough for them to command the windward berth on the long slow upwind leg back to the shortened course finish line, right in front of the many spectators at Castle Hill.
The exciting tactical race was a fitting end to a great regatta, where many thousands of spectators were enthralled by these great yachts. Just a few of the comments included
” It was wonderful to see these boats from a past era”
“we could not believe the size and power of these yachts”
“and the teamwork on these boats is astounding”
“we can’t believe that they were designed and built in the 1930′s
Corum Watches presented a wonderful perpetual trophy to Ranger, the overall winner, who also won a unique timepiece – a Corum Tide Watch

Perpetual Trophy being presented to John Williams by Brad Read of Sail Newport (Photo by George Bekris)
Challenge and Adventure would like to thank Jock West and David Pittman for coordinating a spectacular event. Special thanks go out to Brian Rochelle and Vicki Bray for making it happen smoothly. Nick Innacone we thank you for going above and beyond helping us out. We look forward to the next J-Class Regatta.
For more images of the action from all five races by George Bekris click HERE
More Images of the J-Class regatta are available on our Photo Gallery Page.
A simply stunning day of racing was experienced by the thousands of spectators who took to the waters to see Ranger and Velsheda battle in the near perfect conditions of Newport Harbour – 16 knots southerly with sunshine.
The two yachts circled and manouvred for best position to cross the start line , laid across the bay from Fort Adams. Both got away cleanly, but Ranger quickly got the advantage and covered Velsheda most of the way up to the first mark, laid well out into the bay. nly several boat lenghts seperated them along the next four mile power reach with their massive spinnakers driving them at around 16 knots.
Downwind the yachts had to pass a gate at Fort Adams, where many spectators had lined the shore to see these yachts glide past with more than 16,000 square feet of area in the mainsail and spinnaker. Sailing through the gate, the gap was down to half a boat length. Both gybed simultaneously in true America’s Cup style and trimmed sails for every inch of advantage, continuing alongside each other under the Newport bridge and down to the leeward turning mark.
Ranger, just managed to turn the leeward island one boatlength ahead, giving them the advantage to hold a cover up to the finish. Ranger, the bgger boay, gives Velsheda a small handicap in these conditions, but won by 27 seconds on corrected time. Ranger now has a 2:0 win with three races to go in the series.
There is plenty more to see this weekend as the J-Classes take to the waters off Newport this weekend for racing. The racing starts at 1:00 pm Saturday and Sunday off Fort Adams.
For More Images by George Bekris of the J-Class action click HERE
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The J Class yachts Velsheda and Ranger will be participating in the J Class Newport Regatta, the first of a series of global J Class events, cultimating in the Hundred Guinea Cup race, Cowes 2012.
In 1930, Newport was the venue for the start of the remarkable J Class era. Between 1930 and 1937 there were just 10 of these stunning yachts constructed for the purpose of winning the America’s Cup.
A series of 5 races will be run from June 15th to 19th, 2011 with starts and finishes off of Fort Adams. Viewing stands will be set up on the Northwestern corner of Fort Adams and other excellent viewing options will be at Castle Hill Inn and various spots in Jamestown.
Working with the US Coast Guard, Sail Newport will establish safe water viewing areas along the entire course.
This will be the first competitive J Class regatta in the USA since the America’s Cup event of 1937 between the Defender Ranger, and the Challenger Endeavour II.”?:7
PUMA Mar Mostro: 16:26:38
Rambler 100: 16:28:28
Shockwave: 16:40:20
Vanquish: 16:48:27
- Rambler 100 (Photo by George Bekris)
- Puma Ocean Racing’s Mar Mostro ( Photo by George Bekris )
- Puma’s Mar Mostro At Start of Candy Store Cup (Photo by George Bekris)
Seven days of racing, 147 competing boats, 11 divisions, two National Championships, one North American Championship, 1200 sailors and one great sailing town of Newport. It all adds up to New England’s favorite regatta – New York Yacht Club’s (NYYC) Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex. Kicking off on Saturday, July 17 with three days of one design and Classic, 12 Metre and PHRF-rated competition, Race Week’s “first half” welcomes the Beneteau 36.7, J/105, J/109, J/122, J/80, Classics, S Class, 12 Metre, 6 Metre and NYYC Swan 42 classes. In all, 109 boats are registered for the first half of Race Week.
After a lay day featuring a classic New England Lobster Bake hosted at the New York Yacht Club’s on-the-water clubhouse Harbour Court, the “second half” is scheduled for four days of racing to determine the Rolex US-IRC National Champion. To date 38 IRC-rated racers are registered for the fourth annual competition. Preliminary entry lists, sailing instructions and daily results can be found online at www.nyyc.org.
The largest One Design Class is the J/105 with 22 boats currently entered including the top three finishers from 2008 Race Week: Eclipse, owned by Damian Emery (Shoreham, N.Y.); Savasana, owned by Brian Keane (Weston, Mass.); and Live Edge, owned by Michael Mountford.
“My team is looking forward to a great event,” said Mountford, who is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. “We really enjoy sailing in the New England area as sailing on the East Coast is good training for us. I decided to keep Live Edge in the Newport area this year after sailing in Rye in the fall. The NYYC runs a great regatta, the location is excellent and the people and sailing are terrific.”
The second largest One Design fleet is the NYYC Swan 42 Class with 15 registered boats competing for the national championship. The 2008 Race Week champion Tiburon, owned by Mark Watson (San Antonio, Texas/Newport, R.I.) and 2009 national champion Arethusa, owned by Phil Lotz (Newport, R.I.), are expected to compete.
“Each year, the Swan 42 Nationals represents the premier event for the fleet,” said Paul Zabetakis (Jamestown, R.I.), NYYC Swan 42 class president and owner of Impetuous. “The teams use the regattas prior to this event to prepare for what has become the most competitive racing of the year. The teams consist of some of the most talented Corinthian competitors in the sailing community. The racing is so close that even minor mistakes are very costly – it can mean the difference between first or last at the rounding marks. Clearly, the winner of this regatta is acknowledged by the fleet as the ‘best of the best.’”
North American championship title is on the line in the J/109 class where 13 boats are registered, including defending champion Storm, owned by Rick Lyall (Wilton, Conn.) and 2008 champion Gut Feeling, owned by Ted Herlihy (South Dartmouth, Mass.).
Elan, John Hammel’s (Arlington, Mass.) Beneteau 36.7, is looking to defend its 2008 victory against an increasingly competitive fleet. “This year we are fortunate to have six of the eight competing boats traveling to Newport specifically for this event,” said John Hammel, the local fleet captain. “Five are from Long Island Sound and one is from Boston.” The event is one of five events that are used to determine the North East Fleet 36.7 Boat of the Year award. Last year’s winner was Bill Purdy’s (City Island, N.Y.) Whirlwind, which is frequently at the top of Long Island Sound 36.7 events, and finished fourth in the 2006 North Americans, held in Newport, and third overall in 2008.
Other skippers and boats to watch include Chick Pyle (San Diego, Calif.), 2005 North American Class champion, skippering Kea/Slipstream, a name mixed with his chartered Slipstream and his own, 36.7 Kea. Lou Mellio’s (Middletown, N.J.) Surface Tension and Junius Brown’s (Ridgefield, Conn.) Resolute are also strong competitors in the Long Island Sound fleet.
In total, 120 boats are registered for the first half of the week of racing, July 17-19, which will take place on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.
Second Half of Week to Showcase IRC-Rated Racing
After taking a one-day break on Tuesday, July 20 to allow boats to switch to IRC configuration, the second of half kicks off on Wednesday, July 21 featuring four days of IRC racing with a mix of short course and middle-distance racing planned. To date, 36 IRC-rated boats are entered with George David’s Custom 90-footer Rambler the largest competing. The Rolex US-IRC National Championship will end with a Rolex gala and awards party on Saturday, July 24.
Swan 42 Class 2 Weiss New York Christopher Dragon 12204
J-109
Kamisher New York Blue Rider 71
Filippelli Caminos 52202
Kenny / Ames Gossip 274
Herlihy Gut Feeling 72
Jannetti Breakwater Jibber Jabber 272
Gutshall Maddogs & Englishmen 260
Schwartz Manhasset Bay Nordlys 267
Salk New York picante 126
Sweetser New York Rush 51
Vos Skoot 369
Lyall New York Storm 146
Milo Vento Solare 266
BLUE FLEET
Class 3 Shachoy Beverly August West 54
Tortorello Partnership 12
Furnary New York Patriot 61220
Murphy Pugwash 60003
Chapman Screaming Eagle 52920
Gold New York Sundari 12235
Boyle / Bruno / Callahan New York Wings 12241
Shaw New York Tumbleweed 52770
Class 1 Clarke Newport Next Wave 31113 36 Farrv395
Tofias Royal Thames Race Horse US-1 42 W 37
Milligan/Roche New York Act One 52915 60 sloop
Rich New York Settler 31200 61 Cust. Peterson 42
Janney Eastern Die Fledermaus 73179 75 J/35
Armstrong St. Croix Good Girl ISV68 82 J/100
Tyler Hyannis Straight Jacket 3333 84 Quest 30
Hall Bluto 53194 89 Evelyn 32
Hyde Freightrain 40926 93 Frers 36
Stookey / Hallowell New York Jest 50686 93 Quest 32
Beneteau 36.7
Class 2 Powers Agora 52475
Palmer New York A C Breakaway 69
Hammel New York Elan 51920
Pyle San Diego Kea/Slipstream 52498
Raczkowski Mischief 93206
Brown Saugatuck Harbor Resolute 230
Melillo Atlantic Highlands Surface Tension 4444
Purdy City Island Whirlwind 52134
J-105
Class 3 Lewis Annapolis Bat IV 328
Bloom Falmouth Bear Spirit 51682
Henderson / Edegran Larchmont Conundrum 170
Wagner Buzzards Dark ‘n Stormy 413
Emery Eclipse 50
Rugg New York Jaded 92
Groobey Annapolis Java 674
Weiderman Kima 300
Esdorn New York Kincsem 324
Mountford Royal Canadian Live Edge 267
Koten Planet Claire 630
Stone St. Francis Power Play 37
Keane Beverly Savasana 523
Brauer/Neff New York Scimitar 526
Mindich LHYC/HYC Shakedown 488
Allen Riverside Strange Brew 175
Weglarz Chicago The Asylum 673
Darlington East Greenwich Tonto 493
Masur New York Two Feathers 344
Beane New York Vixen 657
Class 1 Kane New York Bolero 134 48.5
Fetter New York Black Watch 71 48
1
Class 2
Cholerton-Brown Manhattan America II US 46
Heckman New York USA US 61
Isham / Auersperg New York Courageous US 26
Williams Corinthian Victory 83 K-22
Swift New York American Eagle US 21
Class 3
6 METRE
C
S Class
Skipper Yacht Club Boat Sail #
Class 5
Davis Aquila 51
Sloan New York Argument 22
Silken Firefly 7
McCaffrey Newport Osprey S8
Herreshoff New York Lady Luck 2
Patterson Pirate 63
Hutchinson RIYC Shona 15
Hagen Sturdy Beggar 17
Roy Newport Surprise 5
Boylan Whistler S3
Migliaccio Wistful 14
PHRF 2
Skipper Yacht Club Boat Sail # Rating Model
Class 6 Lavin East Greenwich Dirty Harry 40561 111 J-29
Nauber Wolverine 41354 111 Frers 33
Rasadi New York Showdown 31628 111 J-29
Walters IYAC Poia 22956 121 Catalina 38
Mentelos Park Place 41976 150 O’Day 34
CRF 2
2 Metre
Towbin New York Sumurun 14 58
Class 1
Colburn New York Apparition 4235
Lotz New York Arethusa 4216
Fisher New York Bandit 4208
Brownyard New York Barleycorn 4224
G. Rojek New York Better Than… 18
Culver New York Blazer 4243
Gefter New York Celeritas 42021
Cahoots Syndicate New York Conspiracy 4201
Hele New York Daring 4214
Darden / Williamson New York Hoss 4227
Zabetakis New York Impetuous 4206
Kane New York Mutiny 4204
Widmann New York Quintessence 4210
Watson New York Tiburon 4223
Halbert Vitesse 4240
Rodes New York Ranger US112
Towse / Towse New York Syce US14
Fair New York Madcap US21
Loughborough New York Belle L24-2
lass 4
Glassie New York Fortune 312 36.6
Pearsall New York Chips 13 36.1
Croll New York Angelita 18 34.9
Colie Mantoloking Silent Maid T 82 29
Owned and sailed by Rives Potts (Westbrook, CT) with a crew blending four families, Carina is the 46th winner of the race’s top trophy in the 104-year history of the race, which runs 635 miles from Newport, RI to St. David’s Light, Bermuda.
The 48-foot McCurdy & Rhodes designed sloop won on corrected time under the Offshore Racing Rule by the very large margin of 3 hours, 35 minutes over Gregory B. Manning’s Sarah (Warwick, RI). Belle Aurore, a Cal 40 owned by R. Douglas Jurrius (Easton, MD) was third, seven minutes behind Sarah.
Carina’s chances for winning looked good but hardly certain when she finished the race at dawn Tuesday. Her chief challenge came from Belle Aurore and three other boats in Class 1, the small-boat class. Any of them could save their time and elbow Carina off the victory podium should she finish by about 7 PM. Many sailors at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and elsewhere spent much of Tuesday following the quartet’s progress on the online iBoattrack tracker. In the end, nobody was able to save their time on Carina.
Those four smaller boats still did well. Belle Aurore won Class 1 and took third place in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division. Two other Cal 40s, Peter Rebovich’s two-time defending champion Sinn Fein (Metuchen, NJ) and Bill Leroy’s Gone with the Wind (Tiburon, CA), took second in the class and seventh in the division, and third in class and eighth in the division, respectively. The fourth boat, David G. Dickerson’s Peterson 38 Lindy, was fourth in class and 20th in the division.
Carina also won the North Rock Beacon Trophy as the top boat under the IRC Rule, with a margin of nearly four hours over Gracie, a custom 69-footer owned by Stephen and Simon Frank (Darien and Rowayton, CT). Gracie was also designed by McCurdy & Rhodes. Third under IRC was Arbella, a First 44.7 owned by James Shaughnessy (Greenwich, CT).
As of Noon ADT Wednesday, 9 boats in the 183-boat fleet were still on the race course. This is the third largest Newport Bermuda Race since it was founded in 1906. The St. David’s Lighthouse Division, for amateur crews, is the largest of the race’s five divisions, with 103 boats this year.
Invictus At Start (Photo by George Bekris)
FOR NEWPORT BERMUDA RACE START PHOTOS CLICK HERE
2010 Newport Bermuda Race
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
| Place, Yacht, Owner, Origin, Results (ORR(Cls, Div) / IRC(Cls, Div)) |
| Class 1 (11 Boats) – St. David’s Lighthouse Division
|
Bermuda executive Mark Watson made his first race to Bermuda memorable with a corrected time win in Genuine Risk in the Open Division for cant-keel boats. Speedboat, owned by Alex Jackson, took line honors for the race, finishing just before dawn at 3:47:56 with an elapsed time of 59:17:56, well off the course record. Rán, the Fastnet and Sydney Hobart race winner, finished first in Class 10 and is a strong contender for the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse trophy.
Il Mostro (Puma) skippered by Ken Read, crossed the line second and corrected just behind Genuine Risk. “We were ahead of Il Mostro and Speedboat after we all came out of the Gulf Stream west of the rhumb line,” Watson said. “We decided to take a more easterly angle to avoid a cold eddy with negative current, but that let Speedboat separate from us.” Ralph Steitz, Sailing Director for the US Merchant Marine Academy (owner of Genuine Risk, which Watson sponsored), was one of many sailors who said how much they had enjoyed the race. “This was the easiest Bermuda Race I’ve ever done and I’ve done a few.”
Photos of Bermuda Race Start By George Bekris HERE
Rán, Niklas Zennstrom’s JV 72, is the provisional winner in Class 10 for big professional boats in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division after being pushed hard by Tom Hill’s Titan XV for more than 600 miles. George David’s Rambler matched up with Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste and took line honors for these fixed-keel boats. “I’ve never sailed a Bermuda Race when you’re head to head with another boat for so long,” said Rambler’s tactician, Jerry Kirby. “It came down to the last tack to St. David’s Light.”
Vanquish, co-skippered by Bermudian Buddy Rego and Americans Russell Lucas and Jamie Hilton, crossed the line first in Class 8 for the big boats in the amateur St. David’s Lighthouse Division, but Gus Carlson’s Aurora is the provisional class winner. Some smaller boats have a good shot at winning the division. Carina, skippered by Rives Potts, has a 60-mile lead over her Class 3 competition. In the highly competitive Class 1, Sinn Fein, Peter Rebovich’s Cal 40 and the two-time defending St. David’s winner, has sailed farther west than anybody and is fighting for the lead with David Dickerson’s Lindy.
In the Double-Handed Division, iBoattrack showed Michael Hennessy’s Dragon at the head of the pack, 160 miles from the finish, with the four-time winner Lora Ann not far behind. The Cruising Division’s leader, Clover III, was about 70 miles out on Saturday afternoon with a healthy lead on the 80-footer Nirvana.
It was a slow race, with Speedboat making the 635-mile course in just over 59 hours after the start at Newport on Friday. The crew of 25 never reefed the boat. In the light to moderate conditions that prevailed through most of the race, Speedboat was hard pressed by Il Mostro, Rambler, and several boats in the mini-maxi 70-80 foot range over the first third of the course. “We really didn’t get away from them until we were in the Stream,” navigator Stan Honey said after Speedboat tied up at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club’s marina early Monday morning. “Then they gained a lot in the light stuff as we came into the finish.”
At 5 AM EDT the mini-maxi Rán on its blog reported less than 10 knots as she beat to windward toward the buoys guarding Bermuda’s reef. “Titan is downwind from us and is not a threat. Rambler and Beau Geste are upwind and in front as we thought they would. We are still in a strong position although it now looks like Beau Geste is the biggest threat. Just a few more hours to go.”
At 6:30 the blog reported, “As we are approaching the finish slowly but surely, we are all on deck, no more watches, all are on duty for the final stretch. Coffee and tea served on the rail – black only as no more milk powder onboard. Very calm water. Wind speed of 9 knots –
just over – and land in sight.”
















































