J/22 Legends Regatta - Victory for Lars Hansen

by Christopher E. Howell on 1 Oct 2013 J/22 legends have reunited in the birthplace of the boat—Newport, Rhode Island—for the 30th anniversary celebration of the J/22. A group of past champions and stalwarts of the fleet’s growth sparred on the race course Monday for bragging rights during the J Boats Legends Regatta.

Hosted by Sail Newport, eight teams duked it out on the local fleet of J/22s during three brief races, and Lars Hansen was crowned the winning Legend. All of the competitors were then recognized at the Opening Ceremonies of the J/22 World Championship, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, which begins Tuesday.

Rod Johnstone, co-founder of J Boats and designer of the J/22, rallied a family team including Alan Johnstone and Jeff Johnstone. Past J/22 champions helmed with the same crews they will be working with during this week’s World Championship including Brad Read and Cory Sertl. Many of the vital individuals to the launch of the J/22 Class in 1983, as well as its evolution over the past 30 years, participated including: past US and International J/22 Class Secretary Galen Freeman; past International Chair/Technical Committee Chair Chip Carpenter, with International Class President Chris Doyle on board; past Chief Measurer and Class President Hale Wolcoff, crewing with fellow champions Steve Ulian and Kevin Doyle; past US J/22 Class President Chris Princing and his Worlds crew; and past US Technical Chair Lars Hansen and his Worlds crew.

Now the focus shifts to the 2013 J/22 World Championship regatta featuring 72 teams from Canada, the Cayman Islands, South Africa and the USA. Racing begins on Tuesday, and continues through Saturday. J22 Worlds website