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J Class History
"The Most Beautiful Yachts In The World"
The J Class has its roots in the
oldest sporting race in the world, The America's Cup. This International Event
came from an annual race around the Isle of Wight held by the Royal Yacht
Squadron, but in 1851 an overseas yacht was allowed to participate. The yacht
"America" was built that year to an innovative new design and had sailed to the
Solent in search of racing. Initially excluded from racing against British
yachts, she was finally allowed to enter the Round The Island Race for the '100
Guinea Cup'. With the complex tides and shallow areas of the Solent it was
natural for 'America' to hire the services of a Pilot and in due course Robert
Underwood was employed to guide them through the very tricky waters off the
Island. Although the race program was advertised as rounding the Nab Buoy and
then the Isle of Wight, leaving all to Starboard, this was not what was printed
by the RYS on the instruction cards and whilst the four leaders tacked away to
round the Nab lightship, Underwood directed "America's" Skipper to press on
through the shallow area, missing the Nab Buoy and saving a very considerable
distance. Naturally "America" took the lead and held it to win the race,
although the nearest British boat closed to just a few minutes at the finish.
The Trophy became known as the "America's Cup" and was taken back to the USA.
Yachts were able to challenge to win back the cup and a series of larger and
larger yachts were designed to compete.
More information about these stunning yachts may be found
at www.jclassyachts.com/history.html
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