2024 J/80 East Coast Championship

The 2024 J/80 East Coast Championship was held at the 26th Annual Nepean One Design Regatta in Ottawa, Canada. Fleet 20 continues to grow in numbers and enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 World Championship coming to Kingston, Ontario. The Nepean Sailing Club hosted a fantastic three-day event with excellent race management and shoreside hospitality that kept competitors smiling. A practice race was held alongside Ottawa's Thursday Night Racing (the product of three separate yacht clubs), which was an eyeopener for travelling teams as to just how vibrant the sailing community in Ottawa is! Five races were held on Friday in light to medium breeze ranging from 4-8 knots. Martin Rutter's Free Radical team, Hugh McGugan's Breakaway J, Doug Gibson's Cheeky Monkey and Conor Hayes' team on More Gostosa all tasted race wins keeping the scoring very tight. Hopes that the forecast would be wrong on Saturday were dashed as consistent rain and light wind washed over most of Ontario. The Race Committee eventually hoisted AP over A allowing competitors to do a bit of exploring before getting back to the club for the regatta party featuring Mt. Gay cocktails, great food, awesome live music and dancing. The party was capped off with something you don't see at every regatta—a killer fireworks display right off the dock! Race Committee was ready to jam on Sunday as the rain blew over and a strong southeasterly breeze filled in. Three races on three circles turned the Ottawa River into a mecca for one-design sailboat racing! The 80s saw planing conditions with speeds in the teens on flat water as gusts swept across the racetrack. Sweet! More Gostosa, sailed by Conor Hayes, C. Dan Jolda, Cat McLaughlin and Ben Crosby, was on mission to repeat with three bullets, giving them the East Coast Championship win. Doug Gibson scored 2,3,3 on the day landing them in second, followed closely by Martin Rutter with 3,7,5 for third overall. This fantastic event was the product of a lot of camaraderie by the Ottawa Sailing Community. The Nepean Sailing Club supplied not only top-notch facilities, but also wonderful hospitality. Truly good times and great racing were seen by all. A brand new perpetual trophy was presented! Full event details: https://nsc.ca/an/nod/