JS Race In Bermuda

The biggest ever gathering of the class in its history and a historic return to the America’s Cup

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The biggest ever gathering of J-Class yachts took place in Bermuda in June, with eight of the current J fleet in attendance. The event was part of the 35th America’s Cup, with the class invited back for what turned out to be two spectacular days of J racing. It took place 80 years after the 1937 America’s Cup, which was the last one in which the J-Class raced.

Those present were Shamrock V (launched 1930), Velsheda (launched 1933), and the modern builds Rainbow, Hanuman, Ranger, Lionheart, Topaz and Svea. Rainbow decided not to race in the regatta. Only Endeavour (launched 1934) did not attend.

After close racing, Lionheart took the top spot on the podium, just a week after she beat a fleet of 20 modern superyachts in a separate event in Bermuda.

The final day in Bermuda was particularly competitive, with Hanuman and Ranger at the top of the leader board with seven points apiece, Lionheart just behind them. A flat-footed start looked to have cost Lionheart any chance of the race, but she came back to roar down the last run past Topaz. In a dramatic turn of events, Hanuman’s hopes were dashed when she suffered a penalty for a rules infringement approaching the last buoy. One of the original Js, Velsheda, took a popular line honours victory, but the race and regatta crown went to