Darwin Escapes J/70 World Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Preview
by Bob Penfold 14 Jul 2019 10:02 PDT
29 August - 6 September 2019
Torbay to host J/70 World Championships © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
The Royal Torbay Yacht Club are gearing up to host the prestigious J/70 World Championships 2019 and its volunteers are pulling out all the stops in staging this great event, set to be one of the top International sailing events being held in the UK this year. The club has a long and distinguished history of hosting major International Events and is looking forward to welcoming the J/70 Class at the end of August.
The event is headed up by Race Director Bob Penfold (past Commodore RTYC) and top International Race Officer Stuart Childerley.
This championship will bring elite racing sailors from across the world to the top sailing destination of Torbay on the English Riviera. Teams from 23 countries have already signed up and entrants include multiple World Champions, Olympians and previous winners of both the J/70 European and World Championships.
J/70 events in Torquay will start with the UK National Championships being held as part of the Torbay Royal Regatta from August 24th to 26th. This should prove to be the perfect warm-up event for all Worlds competitors and is already attracting a strong entry.
Teams will be arriving in Torbay from August 22nd for those competing in the National Championships and from August 29th for the World Championships. Three days of preparation, measurement and inspection will be followed by six days of racing with 14 races scheduled.
The formal Opening Ceremony will take place on Haldon Pier at 19.00 on Sunday 1st September with the Brittannia Royal Naval College Band and Junior Yacht Club members carrying country flags adding something special to the occasion.
The J/70 International Class Association is recognised by World Sailing, with active fleets in 25 countries. The J/70 worldwide fleet has grown to over 1,700 boats, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark the growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe.
Torbay is a world-renowned sailing venue hosting America's Cup trials in the 1930's, sailing events of the 1948 Olympics, the UK stopover for La Solitaire de Figaro in 2015 and numerous World, European and National Championships.
The hosting of the J/70 World Championships is real achievement for the club and the town, it will place itself in Torquay's maritime history as one of the top events ever held in the bay.
j70worlds2019.com