J/22 Worlds 2018 Welcome to Annapolis!

J/22 Worlds in Sailing Capital September 9-14

Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) welcomes competitors to the 2018 J/22 World Championships, which will be contested off Annapolis September 9-14. At print time, 65 competing boats were registered; they hailed from as close as Eastport and as far as Florida, New England, and Texas. International competitors from Quebec, The Netherlands, and Cayman Islands will also be on the race course between Thomas Point Lighthouse and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. 

Onsite registration and inspection will be held September 9-10 at the AYC Annex tent. Because of construction delays for the Regatta Center, North Sails has stepped up to help with measurement at its loft (thank you, North!)—all racers need to do is go to AYC Annex. Practice racing will take place on Monday, September 10. Racing will unfold September 11-24, with 10 races planned and a four-per-day maximum. 

AYC members have been amazing making room for visiting J/22s,” says regatta manager Linda Ambrose. “Everyone will be wet-sailed out of AYC.” 

PRO Sandy Grosvenor will lead the race committee. Fifty volunteers are involved in putting this event together, including a 12-person event committee, the bulk of them working with Jeff Todd on safety and measurement. 

Social activities on land will include opening ceremonies at the AYC interim club house on Dock Street, a fun and casual Wednesday night competitors’ party under the tent at AYC Annex, Tuesday and Thursday evening debriefs and chalk talks (by Quantum Sail Design, North Sails, and New England Ropes), and a Friday closing ceremony back at the AYC Dock Street clubhouse. 

Event chair Allen Terhune, who is the 2013 J/22 World Champion, says, “We have a good turnout with a lot of really good teams. We have put together an excellent event and are looking forward to it. We have some great parties in store and are happy to reinvigorate the class and race and party hard like we used to.”  

Among local competitors racing in the Worlds are Chris Junge on Corner of Sanity and Madness, Jason Goscha on Double J, Jason Ipe on Ekas, Karen Glass on Folka, Koralina McKenna on Godspeed, Jeff Todd on Hot Toddy, Sandy Adzik on Hotticket, Christopher Wilson on Lil’ Puffy, Mariel Yarbrough on Road Runner, Kevin Elion on Rug Burn, Aden King on Rhythmic Pumping, J.R. Maxwell on Scooby, David Waiting on Solstice, Allen Terhune on Thunder Chicken, Brad Julian on USA 677, Gunnar Gode on USA 977, Scott Gelo on Ventus, Aaron Freeman on Villain, and Jake Doyle on Zesty Enterprise. 

If you intend to spectate any part of this regatta, stay clear of the sailing area. No outside assistance is permitted. Media boats should request a special flag ([email protected]), and RC will communicate to them by VHF. 

SpinSheet will be on the water taking photos and at a number of social events. Follow the J/22 Worlds right here at spinsheet.com.