It is bitterly disappointing to report that the J-Class yacht Endeavour has been withdrawn from the Solent Regatta and Hundred Guinea Cup Race around the Isle of Wight in July. Having pulled out of June’s Falmouth Regatta just two months ago, this comes as a further shock after her race crew, hotels and mooring had all been booked.

Not only is it a huge let down for the British public who have been promised the unique spectacle of seeing five J-Class yachts racing for the first time in UK waters, it is also a very strange decision after Endeavour has just completed a major refit at Yachting Developments in New Zealand which brought her completely up to date with the latest rig, sails, deck gear and hydraulics. An elite race crew had been put together, including helm Torben Grael and 20 professional sailors, and Endeavour had duly shown what she is made of in the St Barths Bucket in March by beating the other three J’s competing (Hanuman, Ranger and Velsheda) – while she has since reportedly received £500k of new race sails! Other than her owner wanting to go cruising this summer, a reason for her sudden withdrawal has yet to be issued.

Yachting World’s July issue came out this week with the lead feature being a 10-page preview of the J-Class events this summer. It will still be an incredible event, but it is a marked shame that only one of the three original J’s will now be racing (Velsheda) – currently on the dock at Falmouth with Ranger and Lionheart and awaiting the arrival of the brand new Rainbow freshly launched from Holland Jachtbouw. 
The first race of the Falmouth Regatta is on 26 June.

CLICK HERE to buy the July issue of Yachting World and access the full J class regatta preview.

Photographs by Yoichi Yabe