Winners Announced - Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships

Two races were held on the final day of the Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships, 12 knots from the southwest provided a true wind for the start of racing but that moderate breeze shifted and built west to 20 knots, gusting 26, to produce a fantastic finale. A memorable world championship for both Open and Corinthian Classes was decided in the very last race.

2019 J/70 Open World Champions

Eat Sleep J Repeat (GBR) Paul Ward, Charlie Cumbley, Ruairidh Scott, Mario Trindade

Paul Ward's Eat Sleep J Repeat has become the first British team to win the Open J/70 World Championship, holding off a strong challenge from Joel Ronning (USA) racing Catapult, Pichu Torcida (ESP) racing Noticia, and Alberto Rossi (ITA) racing Enfant Terrible. Claudia Rossi (ITA) racing Petite Terrible, was fourth and best Open Woman Helm in the championship.

Paul Ward (GBR) Eat Sleep J Repeat

“Very very pleased, it has been hard work and we have a very good team.We have sailed well all year and this has been a tough week but a lot of fun. We were just a few metres from the finish when we realised we had probably won, we worked hard right up to the end, the Americans and the Spanish pushed us really hard, it was full on. There were plenty of tough moments, but that is why we came to Torbay, this is a tricky and challenging place to race. I would also like to thank everyone at Key Yachting and especially Paul Heys who I would love to have a pint with tonight, but sadly he is no longer with us.”

2019 J/70 Corinthian World Champions

Soak Racing (IRL) Marshall King, Ian Wilson, Andrew Shorrock, Adam Brushett

Soak Racing won the J/70 Corinthian World Championship in dramatic style. In the last race, Soak Racing was four places ahead of Doug Struth (GBR) racing DSP. A tie on points for the series was settled by countback, a single place after 14 races gave Soak Racing victory. Denis Cherevatenko (RUS) racing Joyfull was third. Fiona Hampshire (GBR) racing Elizabeth was best Corinthian Woman Helm in the championship.

Ian Wilson (GBR) & Marshall King (IRL) Soak Racing

“Amazing, we have been trying to win this for six years, so it feels just amazing. Torbay has been exceptionally tricky, and we have had great competition at a really well organised regatta, and it is great to come away with the win. Today's racing was really exciting, we were 10 points behind DSP going into the last two races. We had an excellent Race 13 and then it was about staying with DSP and making sure there were not too many boats between us. It all came down to the last 100 metres, and we did just enough.”

The Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships Awards Ceremony was held in the Event Marquee. Event Director Bob Penfold introduced Admiral of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Nigel Wollen to present the prizes and winners trophies. Darwin Escapes Chief Executive Anthony Esse described the event as a “complete triumph” and showing gratitude to Bob Penfold generously announced a free holiday at Darwin Escapes for Bob and his wife Sue. GAC Pindar represented by Andrew Pindar, who has been sponsoring sailing events for 39 years, was also invited to the stage and was full of praise for an amazing regatta.

The Royal Torbay Yacht Club and their dedicated volunteer support were roundly applauded by all of the J/70 sailors for producing a fantastic regatta. Stuart Childerley and the Race Management team received huge applause for providing high quality race courses in tricky conditions.

The 2020 J/70 World Championships will be July 27 – August 02, hosted by the California Yacht Club, Marina Del Rey, California, USA.
J/70 teams from all over the world competed at the Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States of America.