2023

Former J/80 NA class VP and newly elected class president, Jeff Rabinowitz (t-shirt) and crew on his boat Mistress during a delay between races at the 2019 J-Jamboree on Lake Winnipesaukee.

As evidenced by this website being down unexpectedly for several weeks, Much has changed in the background for the J/80 North American Class for the coming 2023 season: the North American class elected a new President, at the annual meeting this past December, Jeffrey Rabinowitz from fleet 1 NH, and added new blood to the board, with west coast (Seattle) rep, Lek Dimuracot temporarily serving in the role of interim VP.

Now, Fleet 12 Massachusetts and Marblehead native, Brian Gibbs, has agreed to serve as VP effective immediately. Canadian rep David Doyle remains as class secretary along with long time board member and treasurer Kevin Hayes.

In addition, long time President Ramzi Bannura is now President Emeritus, he continues to provide guidance and experience to the board. The President Emeritus position can cast a tie breaker if the board is deadlocked but otherwise has no voting power.

Many thanks to Ramzi for his invaluable contribution these last 8 + years - guiding the class thru numerous one-design events, including the highly successful 2022 Worlds.

The board has decided to bring in operational help to run class sanctioned regattas etc… in the future in the person of Chris Howell, whose company, One—Design Associates, also manages the International J70 class and J24, J22, events as well as others.

To afford this, sail royalty and membership fees have been raised. The new sail tag fee is $75 and the new membership fee is $195/season. We encourage all J/80 owners, whether racing or not, to support the class with dues, since a strong class helps maintain the value of your boat.

A full 2023 Class events schedule with be posted shortly:

East Coast Championship - Kingston YC, July 24-30 LYRA2023.CA
West Coast Championship - Seattle 
North American Championship - Lake Winnipesaukee Oct 6,7,8

Other regattas with expected one design fleets include:

Annapolis NOOD, May
Block island race week, June