J24EasternChamps 1012_NOR

Stuart’s contribution to J24 sailing has long been recognised,  at least unofficially by those who have participated in “behind the scenes” management of our class and indeed it would not be unfair to say that his expertise and enthusiasm has often been taken for granted.

Prior to joining the J24 Class in 1985, Stuart had enjoyed an outstanding sailing career which included competing in two Olympic games and winning twenty-seven UK and European National Championships, in five different classes during the period 1950 to 2007 !

He was three times USA Masters Champion, and his exploits in the X-Boats where he won the Captain’s Cup at Cowes on no less than five occasions are the stuff of legend.

In spite of his many successes at the highest levels of our sport, Stuart always remained modest and approachable, and more than ready to devote time to helping club level sailors of all ages to improve their performance

In 1988 Stuart became a Class Measurer, and succeeded Dennis Ellis as Chief UK Measurer in 1994. As he obviously still did not have enough work to do, he took on the role of Class Treasurer in 1995 , followed by Class Secretary in 1996. He has held all three roles until this year.

Joining the International Technical Committee in 1999 he has served us with great distinction for twelve years, and although wishing to step down ,will continue to do so for at least another year, at the request of his colleagues .

Earlier this year Stuart announced that he would finally retire from his roles in the UK Class , and in recognition of his wonderful contribution, the Class hosted a celebratory dinner in the elegant surroundings of the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole , Dorset , with Stuart and his long-suffering wife Mary Ann, as guests of honour.

More than sixty of his friends, and fellow sailors gathered last month to pay tribute to Stuart to celebrate his achievements , and more than anything, to thank him for his efforts over many years.

Jim Anderson, the current Chairman of the UK Class , presented Stuart with a framed photograph showing “Stouche” leading off the start line at the recent European Championships in Howth. The reverse of this photograph had two panels containing the signatures of everyone who had attended the dinner. He also presented a mounted half model of a J24, which Stuart immediately declared he would return to the UK Class as a perpetual trophy to encourage youth sailing.

Mark Penfold, fresh from his exploits in Argentina , made a witty and sincere congratulatory speech which included reading out a letter from Marianne Schoke-Holzer in what, to the uninitiated at least appeared to be fluent Swedish !

A surprise guest, at this very special occasion was IJCA Vice-Chairman Robin Eagleson ,who travelled over from Ireland under conditions of great secrecy, to announce that, by a unanimous vote of the World Council, that Stuart had been elected “ Councillor of Honour “to the International J24 Class Association.

This is an award which our Class takes very seriously. There have only been four previous recipients of this honour , which is an indication of the esteem with which Stuart Jardine is regarded within the Class

From the International J24 Class Association…… Congratulations and Thank you Stuart.

World Championship Qualification Process:

1. The 2013 World Championships will be hosted by Howth Yacht Club. The scheduled dates are from 22^nd. to 30^th. August.

2. Entries to World Championships are related to the total membership of each NJCA, with additional entries for the host country.

3. It is estimated that entries based on para. 2 above There will be 12 Irish boats. We therefore, need to have a qualification process in place.

4. At our National Council Meeting, we decided that the qualifying events would be as follows :

• 2011 National Champs.
• 2011 European Champs.
• 2012 Eastern Champs. HYC
• 2012 Northern Champs. LEYC
• 2012 National Champs. LRYC

5. Points will be awarded on the following basis:

Finishing place + 3 equals points = score.

For example

• The winner of an event with 15 entries will receive 18 points.

• Second place will receive 17 points.
• Down to 3 points for last place in a series.

Two events will be discarded.

In the event of a tie break, the results of the National Champs 2012 will prevail.

6. There is also, provision under IJCA regatta rules for :

• An all female crew per country.
• An under 25 crew per country.

Flor O’DriscollPresident IJCA-IRL.

Eagleson received the award at the J/24 World Council Meeting, held on October 15 at the Rochester Yacht Club in New York, USA, site of the 2012 J/24 World Championship. According to Farmer, “Robin has over the past year gone above and beyond the call of duty to address issues which were critical to the continued stability and success of the International J24 Class Association. Robin’s persistence, diligence and superb communication skills enabled him to attack these issues straight on and offer a solution that no one else had the ability to do. I especially appreciate his great sense of humor. I am sure to speak for the entire Class when awarding this Trophy and offer a huge “Thank You” from all of us for his excellent contribution in 2011.

The next meeting of the J/24 World Council is scheduled to be held on October 13, 2012 at the Howth Yacht Club in Howth, Ireland, which will also serve as the host club for the 2013 J/24 World Championship. Representatives from each member nation of the J/24 Class are invited to attend this important annual meeting.

For more information contact: Eric Faust, director@j24class.org, +1-512-266-0033

Watch the video.

For the full galleries click here.

Top of the table was ‘Reloaded’ (Mark Penfold), sailing under US colours, with 34 points, three ahead of the leading European entry ‘Il Riccio’ (Ian Southworth/Chris McLaughlin) which takes the European Championship trophy.

With the exception of their discard of a 20^th in the fifth race, ‘Reloaded’ was consistently in the top four in most races and had one bullet, while closest rivals ‘Il Riccio’ had two bullets and only a 9^th to discard.

That they had some 28 points to spare over the third placed ‘Serco’ (Bob Turner) emphasised their dominance over the series. The German champion ‘Rotoman’ (Kai Mares) was only a point behind in 4^th place and won the final race of the regatta while Stuart Jardine, the oldest helm in the championship, had the distinction of winning three races, including the first two races of the final day. Another German boat ‘Hungriger Wolf’ (Johann Huhn) had six top ten results to earn 6^th overall.

Local boat Jibberish (O’Kelly/Wormald/Walsh) enjoyed its best result when finishing second behind ‘Stouche’ (Jardine) in the seventh race while German entry ‘JJone’ (Frithjof Schade) was looking at the same transom in the eighth race. The Southworth/McLaughlin crew topped the fleet in the penultimate race followed by the Hungarian boat ‘Naviscon’ (Farkas Litkey) while ‘Serco’ took second behind ‘Rotoman’ in the final race.

Needing to beat their US rivals by several places in the last race to take 1^st overall, ‘Il Riccio’ could only manage an 8^th to ‘Reloaded’s’ 5^th.

The leading Irish crew was ‘Hard on Port’ (Flor O’Driscoll, HYC) in 10^th overall with ‘Jamais Encore’ (John-Patrick McCaldin, Lough Erne YC) next best in 17^th.

Full results are available here.

Fleet Start

European champions Il Riccio – Ian Southworth & Chris Mclaughlin

Rotoman – leading German boat – 4th overall