The 2010 J/80 World Championship, hosted by Sail Newport and Ida Lewis Yacht Club is going on now through October 8. It promises to be one of the most competitive J/80 events to date. 60+ boats from nine countries are currently registered including boats from Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and USA. Seven past World Champions are participating.
Outside of a strong US contingent, the Spanish J/80 Class is showing up in force with ten sailing teams. Amongst them are 2010 J/80 European Champion Carlos Martinez sailing PERALEJA GOLF from Santiago, past World Champions Jose Maria Torcida sailing Team ECC VIVIENDAS from Cantabria, Rayco Tabares on HOTEL PRINCESSA YAIZA from Las Palmas, and Ignacio Camino Rodriguez on NEXTEL ENGINEERING from Cantabria. In fact six of the top ten teams at the 2010 Europeans (lake Garda, Italy) are competing. Other top European teams include Tom Whitmore of Sweden, Federico Rajolas of Italy, Thomas Klok of Denmark, Jurgen Waldeim of Germany and Bruno Trouble from France.
The American fleet is the deepest it's ever been and well tuned up after a busy nine month USA Tour including the recent North American Championship. Teams from 12 different states are represented. While all eyes will be on past World and North American Champions Jay Lutz/Gary Kamins (Houston, TX), Glenn Darden (Ft Worth, TX), and Kerry Klingler (Larchmont, NY), they will be pushed hard by other top ranked teams including John Storck on RUMOR (2010 North American Champion), Terry Flynn & Scott Young (Annapolis NOOD Champion), Chip Johns (Marion, MA), Allan Terhune (Arnold, MD) and Bruno Pasquinelli (Dallas, TX).
Newport, former home of the America's Cup and host of numerous world and national sailing championships, is also one of the most picturesque seaside resort towns in the world. After measuring and launching at the Sail Newport Sailing Center, the J/80 fleet and regatta headquarters will move downtown to the Newport Yachting Center, located on America's Cup Avenue, just steps from Newport's favorite restaurants and watering holes. One being At The Deck on Waites Wharf. Sailors were give a Gansett token in their gift boxes good for one Narragansett lager draft beer at At The Deck for this weekend's celebrations.
For more info visit J80Worlds2010.org.