Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2024 | J Class Photos by Bow Caddy Media
by Bow Caddy Media 15 Sep 15:01 PDT
8-14 August 2024
The allure of J Class yachts racing closely is hard to resist. Who wouldn’t appreciate that? And where better to witness it than among the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup?
However, the difficulties involved in achieving such seemingly effortless grace should not be overlooked.
In two brief discussions yesterday—one with Bouwe Bekking, racing on Svea, and another with Andy Green, navigator on Velsheda—insights into those difficulties emerged.
Bouwe Bekking emphasizes that safety is the primary concern. The extensive sail area and considerable weight of the J Class yacht create enormous forces on all standing and running rigging. While the J can handle 25 knots when sailing upwind, downwind in strong winds, the large mainsail necessitates a skilled team to execute successful gybes.
For Andy Green, the intensity increases significantly when navigating Js in tight waters, as found in Porto Cervo. Much of the underwater terrain between the islands is quite unpredictable, with substantial hidden rock formations well away from the shore.
With its sprawling overlapping genoa, the J must follow a wide arc on every tack, sacrificing speed and distance. Andy estimates that in seven knots of wind, a J will need 2.5-3 minutes to regain full speed. Therefore, each tack is expensive, making caution impossible under the competitive pressure. Tacking within half a boat length of an obstruction is a common strategy!
Sometimes, ignorance can be bliss; it may be best to simply soak in the beauty that is the J Class yacht. So, here’s a black and white homage to the duo competing at Porto Cervo this week.
