J/80 Worlds 2010 - The most competitive event to date

by Stuart Johnstone on 29 Sep 2010 J/80 World Championship 2010, hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club and Sail Newport, promises to be one of the most competitive J/80 events to date. Sixty-three 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 and Scott Young (Annapolis NOOD Champion), Chip Johns (Marion, MA), Allan Terhune (Arnold, MD) and Bruno Pasquinelli (Dallas, TX).

For more information, please go to: www.j80.org