A J Class regatta in Newport, Rhode Island in June will kick off a J Class regatta programme that culminates in the Hundred Guinea Cup race in Cowes next July, David Pitman, Secretary of the J Class Association has announced.
Amongst the yachts participating will be Shamrock V and Velsheda, two of the original 10 yachts built between 1930 and 1937 for the purposes of winning the America’s Cup, and Ranger, a replica of the original. Fittingly, Newport is Ranger’s historic home waters and where the J Class era began in 1930.
An exciting course inside the bay is planned for these yachts and other new Js which may join the regatta. And history will come full circle when these yachts sail the original 1851 America’s Cup course around the Isle of Wight in July 2012 for the Hundred Guinea Cup in the fourth and final regatta of the series.