Newport To Host J-Class Regatta In June – Challenge and Adventure

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 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)