A highlight of the summer season in the Solent this year will be the return of the J Class. The J Class Association has confirmed that at least of the great J Class yachts will compete at the Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta from 27-31 July.

Lionheart, Ranger and Velsheda will arrive in the Solent on or around 20 July and will be moored in Ocean Village, Southampton.

Racing is scheduled from the RYS line from Monday 27 – Friday 31 July in and around the Solent and will be ’round the cans’ courses. The event is also expected to include a clockwise round the island race, or coastal course of a similar distance. Close, competitive racing is a signature of all J Class racing and the fleet consistently delivers a great display for spectators and followers on and off the water.

Jonathan Peel, PRO of the RYS Bicentenary International Regatta, said: “The J Class yachts are a magnificent addition to a regatta that promises to be a memorable spectacle to celebrate 200 years of the RYS.”

The Js will race as a fleet under the JCA handicap rules, with challenging 2-3 hour courses in and beyond the Solent, depending on conditions. Other classes taking part in the RYS Bicentenary International Regatta include Classics, IRC and One-Design sportsboats.

John Grandy, Race Officer for the J Class, said: “We are delighted that the J Class will be so well represented at our 200th Anniversary Regatta. This historic class has a deep heritage with the RYS and it has been wonderful to see it revived and raced so competitively in recent years.”

Members of the public will be able to view the fleet from various vantage points and follow details of the racing via the J Class social media pages. Followers around the world logging on to jclassyachts.com will also be able to enjoy every tack and gybe as it happens thanks to live race tracking fitted to every yacht.