J Class World Championship returns to America’s Cup

America’s Cup organisers have invited the J Class to host its World Championships between 7-11 October 2024, during the 37th America’s Cup, with a practice regatta set for 3-4 October 2024.

In total, nine J Class yachts are currently active worldwide, including a mixture of three refitted original yachts along with six new yachts built to original hull lines from 1930s designs.

The J Class fleet has its origins at the America’s Cup. These magnificent sloops originally competed for the Auld Mug in three editions of the America’s Cup, between 1930 and 1937. They reflected a time when a booming global economy brought some of the most colourful tycoons to compete for the oldest international sports trophy in the world.

Names like Sir Thomas Lipton, Harold S Vanderbilt and Sir Thomas Sopwith graced a period that is known as the ‘Golden Age’ of the America’s Cup before the realities of the aftermath of the Second World War, saw the smaller and more affordable 12-metre Class replace the J Class.

The J Class fleet has been allocated space in the Port Vell Harbour and will be no doubt a welcome sight for spectators and enthusiasts.

“When the idea was first suggested, it was one of the easiest decisions ever to make,” says Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events. “The J-Class are integral to the history, legend and fascination of the America’s Cup. We are very grateful to the Class Association and the owners for taking the opportunity to host their World Championship in Barcelona at the time of the 37th match. Seeing those boats being raced just off the Barcelona waterfront will be a spectacle for everyone on the water or watching from the shoreline – we cannot wait to see them in action.”

The J Class fleet has grown in popularity in recent years, and the fleet now includes Topaz (J8), Ranger (J5), Svea (JS1), Velsheda (JK7), Shamrock V (JK3), Rainbow (JKZ1), Hanuman (JK6), Endeavour (JK4) and Lionheart (JH1). Lionheart won the first J Class World Championship, which was held in 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island, in the US.

In 2020, Svea and Topaz were involved in a serious collision at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, with dramatic footage captured from on board Velsheda.

The Class Association says it is seeking a commitment from as many J Class owners as possible for the 2024 event, with five confirmed to date and more potentially set to join.

The regatta is being hosted by the Real Club Nàutic de Barcelona yacht club, situated in the heart of the Port Vell.

“The opportunity to host the historic J Class for their World Championships in 2024 is something that myself and all the members of RCNB are immensely looking forward to,” says Jordi Puig, president of the yacht club. “These yachts, with their remarkable history both in the America’s Cup and into the modern era, are one of the true wonders of the sailing world and will draw much attention when they arrive in Barcelona whilst acting as an integral part of the America’s Cup celebrations.”

Stuart Childerley, class secretary of the J Class adds: “We are extremely grateful to Grant and his team for smoothing the passage to be included in the America’s Cup regatta where the DNA of our fleet essentially lies, and we look forward to playing a central part in the programme both on and off the water.

“The Owners and Class Association are excited to hold our World Championships in Barcelona, which will be the highlight of our season after the Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo during September 2024 and the Mahon regatta in May 2024. The boats will arrive to Port Vell and be situated right in the heart of the superyacht basin, giving spectators a fantastic opportunity to see these historic yachts up close.”

All photos courtesy of Studio Borlenghi and Francesco Ferri.