Ranger, Winner of the J-Class Regatta Newport 2011

Ranger, Winner of the J-Class Regatta Newport 2011 (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

Spectator fleet during last day of J-Class racing (Photo by George Bekris)

Spectator fleet during last day of J-Class racing (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

Ranger looses a spinnaker (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger looses a spinnaker (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

 

Velsheda and Ranger upwind battle (Photo by George Bekris)

Velsheda and Ranger upwind battle (Photo by George Bekris)

 

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

Trophy being presented to John Williams by Brad Read (Photo by George Bekris)

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

Crew of Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

Crew of Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

Crew of Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

Crew of Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

 

 

Crew from Ranger admire trophy (Photo by George Bekris)

Crew from Ranger admire trophy (Photo by George Bekris)

 

J-Class Regatta Perpetual Trophy Unveiling (Photo by George Bekris)

 

Ranger Winner of J-Class Regatta Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger Winner of J-Class Regatta Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

 

More Images of the J-Class regatta are available on our Photo Gallery Page.

J-Class Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

J-Class  Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

J-Class Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Velsheda (Photo by George Bekris)

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 and Velsheda in the J-Class Regatta (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger and Velsheda in the J-Class Regatta (Photo by George Bekris)

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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Velsheda battles to catch Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

Velsheda battles to catch Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

 

 

Ranger Taking A Practice Sail In Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger Taking A Practice Sail In Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

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.

J-Class Velsheda Practicing In Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Velsheda Practicing In Newport (Photo by George Bekris)

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

Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

 

Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)

Newport will once again play host to a J-Class regatta, Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said on Thursday. The announcement was made to a roaring crowd of sailing enthusiasts during a special presentation at the Jane Pickens Theater.

Scheduled for June 15-19, it will be the first competitive J-Class regatta in the United States since the 1937 America’s Cup.

Chafee was joined by Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read and RI Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Stokes.
The event is being organized by Regatta Partners, and will kick off a summer of world-class racing that could be bookended by the first America’s Cup World Series regatta in September.

J-Class Ranger and Hanuman (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Ranger and Hanuman (Photo by George Bekris)

J Class yachts were first built in 1930 following the introduction of the Universal Rule, which for the first time governed the size and performance of yachts built to compete for the America’s Cup. At roughly 140-feet in length, the boats carry crews of 30 or more, feature massive sail areas, and were at the pinacle of sailing technology. Well appointed both for racing as well as criss-crossing the globe, they are some of the rarest of all classic sailing yachts.

 

Their reign over sailing was brief. They competed in the 1930, 1934, and 1937 America’s Cup. Just 10 were built, and by the end of World War II, only three survived.

 

Of  those three, two have Newport connections. Well known Newport yachtswoman Elizabeth Meyer restored two J boats: Endeavor and Shamrock V. Two others, Hanuman, a 2009 replica of Endeavor II,  and Ranger, a 2003 rebuild of H.S. Vanderbilt’s 1937 America’s Cup defender, have become a regular visitors to the city in recent years.

 

With work either completed or underway on seven other boats, the J-Class has been reborn, and a 2012 regatta in Cowes, England promises to bring up to 10 boats together for the re-running of the Hundred Guinea Cup, which we know today as the America’s Cup.

 

Shamrock V, Ranger, and Velsheda have all been confirmed for the Newport race, which could also serve as a prelude to a 10-yacht race here in 2014.

According to Sail Newport’s Read, the race will be held within the confines of Narragansett Bay, providing ample viewing opportunities for spectators from Castle Hill to Fort Adams and Jamestown. Indeed, having these boats start from the same point as the popular Thursday night racing series will be a sight to behold.

Ground zero for the race will be the Newport Shipyard, which also serves as home to Puma’s 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race entry.

“I think it’s entirely appropriate that since we have the best harbor in the world here in Newport, we have the best sailors here in Rhode Island, we have the best boat builders in the world here in Rhode Island, we have the best sail makers in the world here in Rhode Island, we have the best spar makers in the world here in Rhode Island, we have the best viewing spot in the world here in Fort Adams, that we welcome the best boats in the world to Rhode Island,” Chafee said.

For his part, Stokes said that committing to support these kinds of events showcasing Rhode Island as an international sailing destination could help lead the state out of recession.

 

More details about the race are expected to be announced in the coming days.
J-Class Hanuman (Photo by George Bekris)

J-Class Hanuman (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger Upwind Sailing (Photo By George Bekris)

Ranger Upwind Sailing (Photo By George Bekris)

After all was said and done, it was the J-Class Ranger  that took the 2010 Bucket.  John Williams and his crew raced consistently and well, earning a well-deserved victory.   Second place belonged to the the Perini Navi Andromeda la Dea, with the Perini Navi P2 in third place overall.

The third and final race of the 2010 St. Barths Bucket (the “Wrong Way Around” course) was sailed in conditions very similar to the previous days: fluky winds in the 10 to 15 knot range.  The usual noon start was preceded by a couple of Bucket Scholarship holders, thus spoiling Gloria’s virtual deadlock on the Escargot Cup, which was awarded to the consistently sailed Toto.  P2 and Unfurled earned second and third place in the Gazelle fleet, while Axia and Hetairos were runners up in the Grande Dames contingent. 

It would be a mere redundancy to add that the sailing and the shore side activities were of the customary caliber, with Visione a hands-down winner of the yacht open house on Friday night — after all the rest of the fleet had closed she kept the party going until midnight!  We expected marvelous sailing (this is, after all, the Caribbean) and indeed we got it.  The combination of St. Barths, 39 megayachts, and the blue skies and waters worked their usual magic!

As Tony Hambrook, Managing Director of Alloy Yacht stated, “This was the best regatta ever, anywhere!”

Results: Race 3 

 
Race 3
Points
Finish Time
Time Delta
   
ANDROMEDA LA DEA
1
3:21:25 PM
0:00:00
RIELA
2
3:24:27 PM
0:03:02
HELIOS
3
3:25:10 PM
0:03:45
METEOR
4
3:26:06 PM
0:04:41
ANTARA
5
3:28:03 PM
0:06:38
AVALON
6
3:29:38 PM
0:08:13
GEORGIA
7
3:30:50 PM
0:09:25
GLORIA
8
3:33:16 PM
0:11:51
DSK
9
3:37:26 PM
0:16:01
RANGER
10
3:37:42 PM
0:16:17
REBECCA
11
3:38:49 PM
0:17:24
LIARA
12
3:39:29 PM
0:18:04
UNFURLED
13
3:39:43 PM
0:18:18
SALUTE
14
3:40:22 PM
0:18:57
HIGHLAND BREEZE
15
3:40:45 PM
0:19:20
P2
16
3:41:15 PM
0:19:50
VARSOVIE
17
3:41:16 PM
0:19:51
SALPERTON IV
18
3:42:01 PM
0:20:36
WHITE WINGS
19
3:42:11 PM
0:20:46
AXIA
20
3:43:18 PM
0:21:53
SOJANA
21
3:44:56 PM
0:23:31
WHISPER
22
3:46:17 PM
0:24:52
GANESHA
23
3:47:35 PM
0:26:10
VISIONE
24
3:47:58 PM
0:26:33
GHOST
25
3:48:31 PM
0:27:06
ADELA
26
3:48:43 PM
0:27:18
HANUMAN
27
3:48:44 PM
0:27:19
SAUDADE
28
3:48:56 PM
0:27:31
MYSTERY**
29
3:49:04 PM
0:27:39
ARTEMIS
30
3:49:39 PM
0:28:14
WINDCREST
31
3:50:33 PM
0:29:08
HETAIROS
32
3:52:05 PM
0:30:40
SHAMOUN
33
3:52:26 PM
0:31:01
HYPERION
34
3:53:45 PM
0:32:20
DESTINATION
35
3:53:50 PM
0:32:25
HAMILTON II
36
3:53:59 PM
0:32:34
SYMMETRY
37
4:01:29 PM
0:40:04
TOTO
38
4:33:55 PM
1:12:30
BARACUDA
39
DNF
 

* Safety Penalty: 5 Minute
** Over Early Penalty: 5 Minute

Results: Cumulative

 
Race 1
Points
Race 2
Points
Race 3
Points
Total
Points
 Rank
RANGER
13
1
10
24
1
ANDROMEDA LA DEA
4
26
1
31
2
P2
10
5
16
31
3
AXIA
3
11
20
34
4
UNFURLED
19
4
13
36
5
GANESHA
7
10
23
40
6
GEORGIA
9
25
7
41
7
AVALON
5
31
6
42
8
REBECCA
30
2
11
43
9
SAUDADE
8
8
28
44
10
DSK
20
15
9
44
11
SALUTE
2
29
14
45
12
GHOST
17
3
25
45
13
HANUMAN
12
6
27
45
14
WHITE WINGS
6
20
19
45
15
HETAIROS
1
13
32
46
16
HELIOS
24
23
3
50
17
ANTARA
11
34
5
50
18
RIELA
16
35
2
53
19
WINDCREST
14
9
31
54
20
LIARA
28
14
12
54
21
VISIONE
26
7
24
57
22
SOJANA
29
12
21
62
23
ADELA
18
19
26
63
24
HAMILTON II
15
16
36
67
25
WHISPER
23
22
22
67
26
VARSOVIE
34
17
17
68
27
METEOR
36
33
4
73
28
SALPERTON IV
27
28
18
73
29
HIGHLAND BREEZE
32
27
15
74
30
HYPERION
22
18
34
74
31
MYSTERY
25
21
29
75
32
BARACUDA
21
24
40
85
33
GLORIA
39
39
8
86
34
ARTEMIS
33
32
30
95
35
SHAMOUN
35
30
33
98
36
DESTINATION
31
36
35
102
37
SYMMETRY
37
38
37
112
38
TOTO
38
37
38
113
39

 

A full recap of the St. Barths Bucket and Race Information about the Upcoming Newport Bucket Regatta is available at  www.bucketregattas.com

  
Ranger Head On (Photo by George Bekris)

Ranger Head On (Photo by George Bekris)

Newport Bucket Regatta Image Gallery by George Bekris

 

(click on image below to view gallery)

Hanuman Upwind Racing (Photo by George Bekris)

summertime

Newport Bucket Regatta 2009

hanuman

 

(Click on Hanuman photo above to view Gallery of Newport Bucket Regatta Photos By George Bekris)

image000062

Athena, the 295′ Huisman yacht and this year’s race committee boat, was even hard to make out in the foggy start conditions on Saturday for the first race start .  Soon after the start the sea breezes kicked in and blew the fog out leaving a beautiful New England summer day. The breeze held for the afternoon at around 20kts. The 19 boat  Bucket Regatta fleet flew around the course in the ideal conditions.

Timoneer, the 147′ DuBois/Vitters Ketch, dominated the day. Her seasoned crew racing flawlessly and furnishing first by 5 minutes. The new Perini Navi Performance 125′ Sloop, P2, came in second.

image000043

Hanuman and Ranger Battle It Out (Photo By George Bekris)

The two J Class yacht entries Ranger and the newly launched  Hanuman (Endeavour II)  were reminiscent of the old America’s Cup days with their beautiful long lines. The New Hanuman took third place after a close contest between the two boats. They beat Ranger ,who placed fourth, by only 38 seconds. Avalon finished fifth, followed 13 seconds later by the Swan 100, Virago in 6th, and the Swan 80, Selene 36 seconds later in 7th.

(click on images to enlarge)

Hanuman Upwind Racing (Photo by George Bekris)

Hanuman Upwind Racing (Photo by George Bekris)

Broken down into classes the results were: Les Gazelles des Mers (Racing Division), P2 finished first, Hanuman second, with Ranger in third place. Among Les Grandes Dames des Mers (Cruising Division), Timoneer is in first place, Avalon in second and Taza Mas in third place.

ranger2_tn

Ranger Flashing a Smile (Photo by George Bekris)

It was hard to tell which boat team won the party following the race.  Clearly a great time was had by all the crews.

image000052

Timoneer 3rd Place Overall Winner (Photo by George Bekris)

In another Bucket first, the 156′ Pendennis Shipyards, MITSEAAH, engineered to power at over twenty knots and sail with respectable performance, was challenged on day one in keeping up with the racing yachts on the upwind leg.  Respecting the fact that the Bucket is also here to showcase the best attributes of each yacht while cultivating good racing, MITSEAAH was invited to start the race under full power, then execute a high speed 360 degree turn and roar off to the windward mark, where she re-converted to a sailing yacht, shut down the power and got into the race!   Her left-field handicap worked well too; she crossed the finish line in fifth position.

image01

Mitseaah Blasting their way across the start line Sunday (Photo by George Bekris)

Sunday’s racing started out with Mitseeah blasting across  the start line  at 20 kts without a bit of sail up.

summertime

Summer Wind 2nd Day Racing Winner (Photo by George Bekris)

The  racing  started out with light wind but sea breezes filled in during the afternoon. Summer Wind placed first, followed by Taza Mas in second , Sea Diamond took third for Sundays racing.

image000082

Avalon Second Place Winner Overall (Photo by George Bekris)

Jerry Kirby must not have gotten enough sailing time in during the Volvo Ocean Race. He was onboard Hanuman  as Bowman.

image000023

Jerry Kirby Bowman On Hanuman For Sunday's rRacing (Photo by George Bekris)

These awards, first through third, are presented for the best performance overall for combined results, all classes, all races
Overall

1st     P2
2nd   Avalon
3rd   Timoneer

Les Gazelles   (Racing Class)

1st       P2
2nd    Hanuman
3rd      Wild Horses

Les Grand Dames   (Cruising Class)

1st       Summerwind
2nd     Taza Mas
3rd      Timoneer

All Star Crew Award presented by Holland Jachtbouw
(also presented by The Yacht Report and Crew Report Magazines)

At each Bucket Event, every yacht is asked to cast a ballot for the yacht crew among the fleet that demonstrates the most professional service in all tasks, while maintaining the best voie de vivre, camaraderie, teamwork and respect among the crew.  This is the crew that displays the pinnacle of the profession and has the most fun at it – the yacht that everyone wants to work aboard.   Because the award is earned by peer recognition, it has earned serious stature within the marine industry.

Sea Diamond

Vitter’s Shipyard Seamanship Trophy

The Vitters Seamanship Trophy is awarded to the yacht that demonstrates the best seamanship and sportsmanship in the interest of promoting safety on the race course.  All participants in the Bucket acknowledge that superyachts have serious limitations operating safely in close quarters and therefore, the RC has always valued safety well above performance.  This award will recognize the yacht that best demonstrates that understanding.  It also goes to prove that nice guys don’t always finish last!!

Taza Mas

Skullduggery Cravat

Avalon

Newport Bone

Easterner

The  Chippewa Bomb

MitSeaah.