J/24s head to Miami for 2014 Midwinters

Just as the swallows return to Capistrano, the J/24s keep coming back to Miami. This time the regatta host is Coral Reef Yacht Club, the title sponsor is Bacardi, with racing on February 21-23. This will be the 15th time that Biscayne Bay will be the venue in the event’s 36 years, assuring competitors of warm temperatures, nice breezes, lots of great Cuban food, and legendary class tradition.

“I will be down in Miami for the 2014 J/24 Midwinters and really am looking forward to it,” said last year’s winner, John Mollicone. “I have been racing in the J/24 Class since 1998 and like the competition, the boats, and especially the great people. There are no restrictions on sailor classification in the J/24 class so you end up racing against so many great skippers and crews. I also love sailing with the genoa, which you do not really see anymore on other types of boats. I love sailing in Miami during the winter months for its warm weather, dependable breeze, and I like the chop that Biscayne Bay has to offer.”

Some of the other sailing stars who have already registered include Skip Dieball, 2011/ 2012 winner Peter Bream, Tim Healy (5 time champ), Robby Brown and Travis Odenbach as well as top local sailors like Eamonn DeLisser and Gary Sprague.

Although the J/24s have been around for 37 years, they are comparable to a Ford Mustang … still going, still popular and very American. J24’s are one of the oldest classes still racing in Biscayne Bay. Local J24 Fleet 10 was the 10th fleet formed in the late 1970’s when the class first started and has as many members as the local Miami Etchells and Snipe fleets.

Click here for event website. For more information, contact Connie Bischoff at wingsmiami@aol.com or 305-812-1073.