Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
HomeNewsJ-Class Barcelona Regatta – Day 3: Tight Racing as Winds Rise

J-Class Barcelona Regatta – Day 3: Tight Racing as Winds Rise

After four excellent, hard fought races in brisk winds at the J Class Barcelona Regatta, it may be Velsheda which is credited with the overall lead, but that is only on tie break which falls the way of the beautiful 91-year-old as winners of today’s second race ahead of Svea.

Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

For the second consecutive day, Velsheda and Svea continued their thrilling duel on the water, each securing a race win and a second-place finish. Both yachts now sit tied with six points apiece. Meanwhile, Rainbow, competing in their first major J-Class regatta, endured another challenging day, with a costly penalty and stronger winds proving too much for the less experienced crew.

Neck-and-Neck Action

3 Great Dames. Photo Credit: AC37 media

Heading into the third race, Svea took control at the start, nailing the pin-end and forcing Velsheda onto the less favourable right-hand side of the course. Rainbow struggled to match the pace of the more seasoned teams in the 14-16 knot breeze. By the time they reached the windward mark, Svea, under the expert guidance of tactician Bouwe Bekking, was 40 seconds clear of Velsheda, who found no opportunities to claw back. Svea extended their lead to finish 47 seconds ahead, with Rainbow more than three minutes behind after serving a penalty for tacking too close to Velsheda.

Shortened Race, Full-On Conditions

As the wind and seas picked up in the fourth race, the J-Class fleet was treated to full-on, exhilarating conditions. With winds building to over 25 knots, the decision was made to shorten the course to one lap. Velsheda dominated from the start, taking control of the fleet and holding a 30-second lead at the top mark. Their well-drilled crew demonstrated superb handling in the increasingly rough seas, with Velsheda eventually crossing the line just 18 seconds ahead of Svea after 35 minutes of intense action.

- Advertisement -

Velsheda’s tactician, Tom Dodson, reflected on the day: “We’re trading race wins with Svea, which is fantastic, and Rainbow is doing well when they can. In the first race, Svea got to the left-hand side of the beat, and there weren’t many opportunities to pass—they shut us down quickly. In the second race, the wind built fast, and it became more about survival than racing. We just managed to hold on to beat Svea by a few seconds.”

Learning Curve for Rainbow

October 05, 2024. 37th America’s Cup – J-Class Rainbow. Photo Credit: AC37 media

Rainbow’s navigator, Simon Fisher, acknowledged the learning curve for their team. “It was another intense day on the water. We were a bit unlucky with the penalty—it takes a long time to dial a J-Class yacht through a 360-degree turn, and there’s no real coming back from that. The second race was better, but it was a drag race to the left, and Velsheda got the edge. It’s frustrating, but we’re still learning the boat, and any time on the water is valuable.”

Rainbow’s team, despite their struggles, are optimistic about the forecast for lighter winds tomorrow, which may offer them a better chance to close the gap on their rivals.

Dockside Atmosphere

Back at the dock in Marina Port Vell, the atmosphere was lively, with spectators enjoying the sight of the magnificent J-Class yachts up close. Crews were hard at work repairing sails and preparing for the next day’s racing, with Svea’s boat captain, Paul Kelly, commenting on the intense competition: “It’s great that the racing is so close—it’s keeping us all on our toes. In the first race, we opted for a smaller jib, anticipating the breeze would build, which it did, and we managed to extend our lead. The second race was tougher—we had a bad start, and Velsheda got away, but we pushed hard down the run. At one point, we saw 32 knots with a spinnaker the size of a tennis court—it was right on the edge!”

Kelly also hinted at some overnight work for the teams: “We’ve got some sail repairs to do—two spinnakers and a bit of work on the mainsail—but nothing we can’t fix. Hopefully, tomorrow brings lighter conditions.”

Looking Ahead

With two more races scheduled for Thursday, starting around 12:30 CET, the forecast predicts lighter winds of 7-13 knots from the northwest. After two breezy days, the shift to gentler conditions should offer a different challenge for the teams.

J-Class Barcelona Regatta – Day 2 Results

Race 3

  1. Svea – 1h 14m
  2. Velsheda – +47 secs
  3. Rainbow – +3m 29 secs

Race 4

  1. Velsheda – 35m 43 secs
  2. Svea – +18 secs
  3. Rainbow – +2m 25 secs

Team Standings After Race 4

  1. Velsheda – 6pts
  2. Svea – 6pts
  3. Rainbow – 13pts

Stay tuned as the competition heats up!


Thanks to RCNB for excellent details for our reporting

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

Bay of Islands Sailing Week 20...

Renowned as "the best big-boat regatta in NZ," the Bay of Islands Sailing W...

World Sailing Approves Urgent ...

In a move to reinforce safety standards for offshore sailing, World Sailing...

Japanese Minesweeper Sinks Aft...

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper has capsized and...

Vendèe Globe Fleet Update: Dal...

Pre-race favourite Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prevoyance) is living up to ...

Superman Wins! It All Came Dow...

The annual Bridge2Bridge ski race on the Waikato River delivers pure adrena...

Rising Star Leo Takahashi Join...

The Black Foils, New Zealand’s cutting-edge SailGP team, has confirmed that...

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, happening from 22 Aug to 27 Oct 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Extreme Boats Fishing Tournament, 29 & 30 Nov 2024 in Whitianga

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

NZ Match Racing Championships, 14 - 17 Nov 2024 in Auckland

Beneteau Owners Rally, 23 Nov 2024, Auckland to Kawau

Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2024 at Torbay Sailing Club

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, 21 - 24 Jan 2025 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 8 - 10 Nov 2024 Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

NON-MOTORISED SPORT

Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge

Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua

COMMUNITY

NZ Retro Boats Lake Tarawera Gathering, 16 Nov 2024 at Hot Water Beach, Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

Bay of Islands Cruiser's Festival, 20 - 23 Nov 2024 at Bay of Islands Marina, Opua

The New Zealand Sailing Trust 5 Day Sail, 13 - 17 Jan 2025 starting in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 March 2025 at Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Whangārei Maritime Festival, TBC Oct 2025 at the Whangārei Town Basin

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2025: New Zealand’s Premier Big-Boat Regatta

Renowned as "the best big-boat regatta in NZ," the Bay of Islands Sailing Week returns from January ...

World Sailing Approves Urgent Changes to Storm Sail Design Requirements

In a move to reinforce safety standards for offshore sailing, World Sailing has approved changes to ...

Japanese Minesweeper Sinks After Fire Off Southwestern Coast, One Crewman Missing

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper has capsized and sunk following a fire th...

Vendèe Globe Fleet Update: Dalin leads to Cape Finisterre and the first ‘monster under the bed’

Pre-race favourite Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prevoyance) is living up to his billing as he leads t...

Superman Wins! It All Came Down To Team Work and Absolute Sheer Determination.

The annual Bridge2Bridge ski race on the Waikato River delivers pure adrenaline, with competitors ra...

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

METSTRADE 19 - 21 Nov 2024 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2024 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 18 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, 22 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco

BOATS FOR SALE