North Americans @ BI Week, One-Design @ NYYC Regatta, IRC Champions in Europe!The J/122 continues its winning ways in regattas around the world this spring. With that rare combination of speed, comfort, great modern looks and competitively rated in IRC and PHRF, J/122 owners continue to collect silverware and have seen increased participation of J/122s in events this year.
In the USA, Robin Team's TEAMWORK won PHRF A going away in both Charleston Race Week and the Ft Lauderdale-Charleston Race. Robin reported hitting 20+ knots during the Charleston race while out in the Gulf Stream. They beat two well sailed, competitive STP 65s on handicap in this IRC event. During the American Yacht Club Spring Series, the J/122 class had 5 boats. Perennial campaigner Andrew Weiss and his capable team aboard CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, comfortably won by a six point margin. Mike Bruno's WINGS hung in there for 2nd with John Chapman's team on board SCREAMING EAGLE finishing 3rd. For more info, news and scores see the American YC's site.
In the Caribbean, Jamie Dobb's LOST HORIZONS was dominating Antigua Race Week and looked to have a lock on the Big Boat class win. However, in epic conditions with big seas and big winds they broke their boom and a chance to walk home with an armful of silverware.
In Europe, PEN AZEN sailed by Frenchman Philippe Delaporte continues to dominate, winning a highly competitive IRC1 Class in the prestigious Obelix Trophy. The Obelix Trophy is one of the most prestigious even
ts on the French offshore racing circuit each spring. The J/122 beat the latest IRC-influenced offerings from several builders, including the new Beneteau 41, Archambault 40RC and others. Also campaigning their J/122 successfully in European waters is John Patterson's PANACEA. They were the overall series Champion at the RayMarine Warsash Spring Series in England sailing against all the newest IRC boats in the 37-44 foot size range. The Black Group fleet were set long courses, using much of the central Solent, for the entire series of weekend events. PANACEA had taken a healthy points lead into the final day's racing, ultimately winning and taking the IRC1 Championship handicap honors. PANACEA won by six points over Bill Blain's BATFISH III, a well-sailed J/133. The Big Boat class included a number of J/133s, J/122s as well as a range of other designs - Comet 41, Farr 52, TP52, Ker 39 and Corby 40 and a new Santa Cruz 37. It's clear the J/122 continues to be the "40 foot boat to beat" in international and regional IRC competition. This solid, all-around performer continues to be the best combination of cruising and racing in the 40 foot category. Competitive boats are "niche-oriented" and become "type specific" in terms of breeze/conditions they're targeted at-- many are extremely tender, hard-to-sail "twitchy" boats.
If you haven't tried one, hop aboard a J/122 in your local area, see them at the J/122 North Americans at STC Block Island Race Week or the New York YC Annual Regatta in Newport. Or contact J/Boats for a dealer/owner near you who can fill you in on why the J/122 has been such a fun, competitive boat to sail
