Seeking a save from the pandemic

The J/70 Class has been a success story since its launch in 2012, quickly building big fleets with elite competition. But like so many organizations, it’s prominent events have been hampered during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020-2021 J/70 Winter Series, which spans four events from December to March, and includes the Class Midwinter Championship, has been cancelled due to concerns related to COVID-19. The series, which attracts teams across the USA, is annually hosted by Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL.

After the 2020 North American Championships in Canada was cancelled, optimism remains for the 2021 title to be held May 12-15 in Annapolis, MD. However, the entry list has over 70 teams which include Argentina, Germany, and the USA with 20 states and Washington, DC represented. That much traveling could breed concern.

Also hoping to proceed is the 2021 World Championship after cancelling last year, planned now for August 11-15 in Marina del Rey, CA. With an entry list that currently has 46 teams from 10 countries, the Class expects a lot can change prior to the event.

“The International J/70 Class Association Executive Committee has been closely monitoring the worldwide developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and is determined to continue with the planning for our major events in 2021, while recognizing that in some cases there may be public health or travel restrictions that limit participation,” said the Class statement.

“The Committee understands the huge commitment of time and money it takes to participate in a major Championship, as well as the enormous resources that our host clubs dedicate to such events. Although we know that participation in the 2021 Worlds may not be as geographically comprehensive as we would like, we are very hopeful that the introduction of the vaccine will make travel to and from California possible in August.”

Let’s hope so, for all classes and competitors in the world.