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J-Class Regatta Kicks off in Newport, Rhode Island

The global racing calendar of four regattas starts with an event on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Velsheda and Ranger

Velsheda and Ranger will race off Rhode Island this summer. Onne Van Der Wal/courtesy of J-Class Newport Regatta

Here’s your chance to get in on a world-class sailing event. When the J-class regatta featuring the vaunted Velsheda, Ranger, and Shamrock V rolls into Newport, Rhode Island, June 15 to 19, 2011, all sorts of volunteer efforts are sought to help pull off the undertaking.

It only makes sense that one of the things needed is more boats. Event sponsor Sail Newport is looking for 22-foot and larger RIBS or hard-bottom support boats from one day before the regatta to one day after it ends, says Kim Cooper of Sail Newport. “If owners can drive, great. If boat owners aren’t available but would be willing to loan their boat, we’ll assign competent drivers,” she says.

Powerboat drivers are also needed for the event, Cooper says. Support boats will be docked at Sail Newport for the duration of the regatta.

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The announcement about the first in a four-regatta series was made by David Pitman, secretary of the J-Class Association, in Newport on January 27, 2011. The J-class last sailed in the waters off Newport in the America’s Cup in the 1930s; Shamrock V and Velsheda are two of the three surviving originals that were built in the 1930s. For the upcoming event, the yachts will be berthed at the Newport Shipyard.

The racecourse starts and finishes off of Fort Adams, Newport.

For details about volunteering, contact Cooper (kim.cooper@sailnewport.org, 401-846-1983) and check for updates on the Sail Newport (www.sailnewport.org) website.

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