J/70 North American Championship hits 90 entries in 28 hours

Anticipation abounded for the first ever J/70 North American Championship as the regatta reached its 90-boat entry threshold within 28 hours. Hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club and J/70 Fleet 1, the J/70 North American Championship will take place from September 26-28, 2013.

Regatta registration opened on Monday, June 3 at 9:30 am ET, and J/70 sailors from across North America flooded the event website until the 90-boat limit was achieved around 12:30 pm ET on Tuesday, June 4. “In 35 years of sailing, I’ve never seen anything close to this!” exclaimed J/70 Class President Joe Colling of Ohio. “Watching the registration all day and seeing those numbers keep climbing demonstrates the unbelievable enthusiasm for the J/70. It’s already an epic event!”

Al Johnstone shared his registration experience, saying, “Cousin Drake Johnstone called me this morning at about 10:00am with great concern in his voice that Rod had not yet entered his J/70 Ragtime in the J/70 NAs, and that entries were capped off at 90 boats for the event. I casually told him it was no big deal, as Rod would check-in later that afternoon and register for himself. Drake then shared the news that there were only five slots remaining and STRONGLY encouraged me to immediately sign him up on the website, which I thankfully did.

“Thanks to Drake, Ragtime is official entry number 86 of 90 boats, and when I went back to check the regatta site, the inaugural J/70 North American Championship entry book was full with 90 boats entered! So, in about 24 hours the event was already booked, that must be some kind of record! I’m looking forward to sailing with Rod, cousin Andrew Sheriff and a to-be-determined fourth family member in Annapolis for what promises to be a fantastic regatta!”

Event organizers limited entries to 90 boats to ensure the highest level of race management and onsite logistics. Competitors may still sign-up and be placed on a wait list. Visit www.j70nac.com for complete regatta information.

Contact:
Christopher E. Howell
Cell: 440-796-3100
E-mail: howell@j70office.com