Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

J24 UK National Championship at Plymouth Race Week

by James Torr, MaJic 12 Aug 05:26 UTC 12-14 July 2024
J24 UK Nationals at Plymouth Race Week © Paul Gibbins Photography

The J24 UK Nationals this year was held as part of Plymouth Race Week. A fleet of fifteen J24s were entered for the 3 day, 10 race series. Boats travelled from as far as Ireland to line up against the UK fleet and test the waters ahead of the UK World Championships to be hosted in Plymouth in 2025.

With heavy rain forecast for the afternoon, the fleet aimed to get four races in on day 1 in light and variable winds. A sensible decision was to race inside Plymouth Sound, making the most of the available wind early in the day. There was tight competition with each race being won by four different teams, Davy J, Mr Mann, NJO2 and MaJic. A busy start line, combined with outgoing tide resulted in a couple of general recalls and a few of the fleet suffering disqualifications under U-Flag. Dave Hale with Davy J led after day 1, closely followed by MaJic and then Mr Mann to round out the top three positions.

Once ashore the fleet enjoyed a sociable evening pontoon party, kindly provided by NJO Sails and celebrated a couple of important birthdays! Luckily the rain held off whilst racing, but sadly that can't be said for the pontoon party, where the waterproofs and umbrellas were needed!

On day 2, the fleet arrived to glassy waters and a postponement, keeping the fleet ashore whilst the committee boat headed outside the breakwater to search for the wind. The fleet spent their time wisely - relaxing, chatting and sharing tips! After a couple of hours, the fleet headed out for another 4 races. Davy J continued their good form by winning another two races but with one high score to use up their discard after a start line incident and a protest hearing. Mr Mann and MaJic continued to stay near the top of the fleet to leave themselves on joint points, after the discard came into play. Jupiter had a consistent day with all top 4 results after finding their form on day 2. NJO2 managed to secure another race win in race 3.

On day 3, two races were scheduled but again, the fleet arrived to no wind and a postponement ashore. The race committee headed out to the course to find some wind, but after several hours unfortunately there was not enough and a time limit meant there would be no more racing, ending the regatta early.

Overall Dave Hale and his crew aboard Davy J were crowned National Champions for a third year in a row, congratulations! Shane Hewlett on Mr Mann finished in second place on count back and James Torr on MaJic in third. Caspar Barton and Jason Culmer on Violent J put in an impressive performance to secure the First Westerly prize.

It was great to see a strong fleet out in the Plymouth as they all fight to qualify for the J24 World Championships 2025. Qualification is in full swing, with 5 events out of 8 sailed (4 to count). It's not too late to get involved, contact the J24 class if you would like to take part! The fleet now looks forward to Torbay Regatta in August.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the J/24 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8Pts
14260Davy JDave Hale13221(SCP)2112
24241Mr MannShane Hewlett21‑83613319
34248MaJicJames Torr324143‑5219
45270JupiterConor Haughton6(UFD)35324427
54266NJ02Tim Octon9914551‑1234
64271JawbreakerDavid Cooper8556‑1266844
74235WijitSam Marshall‑1146102811647
84013Violent JCaspar Barton Jason Culmer106779‑1110554
94213Hi JinksMark Lewers41010(UFD)7712757
104026JuggernautNeil Trathen7711810‑147959
114251Italian JobJohn Gorman5‑1299111091164
124003Motley CrewAndy Willett(RET)812118981066
134242HitchhikerChloe Nunn12111312‑1512131487
144261NitroMark Prue1313‑14141413141394
155301JabberwockyGail Berryman14(UFD)151313151515100

Related Articles

J/Fest Southwest a family affair!
A popular tradition among the J/Boat owners throughout the region The J/Fest Southwest Regatta celebrated its 14th Anniversary and it has been a popular tradition among the J/Boat owners throughout the region. For the 2024 edition, thirty-five J/Teams participated from around the country. Posted on 10 Nov
Register Now for Charleston Race Week 2025
Early entry discounts for competitors Don't miss your chance to race on beautiful Charleston Harbor, sip Mount Gay Rum daily aboard the iconic USS Yorktown, and enjoy the famous southern hospitality and exquisite dining of Mount Pleasant and Charleston when you're off the water. Posted on 21 Oct
German J/24 Open Championship at Berliner YC
Short, fast races were the order of the day and the weather Gods cooperated This past weekend, the Berliner Yacht Club in Berlin, Germany hosted the 2024 German J/24 Open Championship on the gorgeous Lake Wansee southwest of the city in a spectacular park-like setting. Posted on 21 Oct
J/24 and ORC Worlds, LVC Finals, Women's AC
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective Few things are more inspiring than seeing someone accomplish something that they had to fight long and hard to achieve, and that required a massive amount of commitment. Posted on 8 Oct
J/24 World Championship overall
A decisive bullet determines the title When Seattle - a city famous for its coffee, rain, and salmon - puts on a show, you can bet your last shackle that it's going to be a great experience, especially when world-class sailboat racing is involved. Posted on 6 Oct
J/24 World Championship day 4
'Honeybadger' extends their lead Somewhere behind the curtain that hides the master regatta control panel, there is a wild haired maniac pulling levers and pushing buttons. This is the only logical explanation for the variety of conditions on hand for the Seattle event. Posted on 5 Oct
J/24 World Championship day 3
'Honeybadger' team move into the lead Sailboat racing is a game of skill, but also a game of luck. It takes skill to make a boat go fast for an entire race. It takes skill to pick the best side of the racecourse. But sometimes the "best side" fades away. Posted on 4 Oct
J/24 World Championship day 2
The Milne family rivalry heats up Then came the first race today in a slowly filling northerly of 3 to 7 knots. It was a difficult test for sure, but the first weather mark rounding was a goat rodeo of epic proportions that created a few winners and a bunch of big losers. Posted on 3 Oct
J/24 World Championship day 1
Rivals from Japan dominate, scoring first and second On day 1 of the Seattle 2024 J24 World Championship presented by Beecher's Handmade Cheese, the much anticipated rivalry from Rochester took a back seat to another rivalry from a more distant land - Japan. Posted on 2 Oct
J/24 World Championship day 0
Race officers tested an innovative new GPS starting system for the practice race Sailboat racing is a sport that often suffers at mother nature's hand, and everyone knows it. Posted on 1 Oct
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER