Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

J/99 Jupiter winners in Australia's major Autumn offshore race

by J/Boats 20 May 2024 04:50 UTC
2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race © J-Boats

Fortune favored the sticklers in the 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race; just a handful of entries hung on in the light to non-existent breezes. In the end, the two-handed crew of Ian Smith and Billy Sykes on the J/99 JUPITER crossed the line second to claim IRC Overall honors.

Smith's J/99 JUPITER finished at 0636 AM, completing the course in 2d 17h 36m 15s to win the race IRC Overall and win IRC Division 2. They swept all before them except for ORC overall.

Smith shared his thoughts, "We were here to race. We had no intention of pulling out. I think for most others (retirees) it was work as the conditions looked like a shutdown all the way."

JUPITER's owner described the conditions: "Light, but good in patches, we got 12 knots and a bit stronger from the west coming into Coffs. None of it was predicted. It ended up being an enjoyable race, notwithstanding the wind holes. We kept pushing on and making up 5 percent here and 10 percent there. It all adds up eventually.

We're very happy with our win. The race was worthwhile. We were going to be there for however long it took. Billy is an elite sailor and in double-handers you really have to an all-rounder with you."

"We had a mistake-free race. The secret is transitioning into the next phase of the race. We had a pre-race strategy and we executed it. We played a strategic game, not one major thing, lots of 5 percenters," Smith said.

"We are appreciative of both the Royal Prince Alfred and Coffs Harbour Yacht Clubs for putting the race on. It takes a lot of volunteers to make it happen and it can't be done without them," continued Smith.

Despite a low count on finishers, Coffs Harbour Yacht Club graciously put out the welcome mat to competitors and officials. Read more here on J/Boats blog  For more J/99 offshore shorthanded speedster information.

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race video and wrap-up
A worthy record-breaking centenary edition In stark contrast to the motley seven cruisers and decommissioned pilot cutters of the first Fastnet Race in 1925, this year's edition continued to break records, setting sail on 26 July with 444 entries. Posted on 6 Aug
Last hurrah for centennial Rolex Fastnet Race
20kt breeze gives welcome momentum to the final boats attempting to finish A highly successful centenary Rolex Fastnet Race is into its last moments and with this the northwest wind off Cherbourg's Cotentin peninsula has today been blowing a sturdy 20+ knots, for the first time since last Saturday's start in Cowes. Posted on 1 Aug
J/99 claims Rolex Fastnet Race's IRC Three
Winning by 19 minutes corrected time Five days into the centenary Rolex Fastnet Race, more than 280 of the 380 strong IRC fleet have finished, and of the remainder just 17 have retired. Two of the MOCRA multihull fleet have still to finish. Posted on 31 Jul
Smuggler puts down hammer and goes unchallenged
In the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race The reigning Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Champion, Smuggler, set a clear goal to open her offshore season with strength and continue her streak of top performances. She delivered on that promise, outpacing the competition and never looking back. Posted on 29 Jul
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race start
The weather gods promised and delivered The start gun for the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race fired at 1300hrs sharp, sending the fleet off in stunning conditions. Posted on 26 Jul
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Preview
This year's edition is looking to break the light wind pattern and possibly set new records The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (NSGCYR) has long been regarded as a cornerstone of any Australian offshore yachtie's calendar. Posted on 25 Jul
RSrnYC Salcombe Gin July Regatta
The weekend saw some fantastic conditions Last weekend, 12-13 July, the Royal Southern Yacht Club hosted the third event in our flagship Summer Series - the Salcombe Gin July Regatta. Posted on 20 Jul
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place. Posted on 18 Jul
Introducing the Micro Gateway from Cyclops Marine
Live load data, simplified - smaller, smarter, even more connected At Cyclops Marine, we're driven by the pursuit of precision, performance, and progress. As the marine industry continues to embrace digital transformation, our technology is evolving rapidly. Posted on 10 Jul
J/99 J-Lance X dominates Duo Cat Amania Regatta
The premiere doublehanded offshore regatta in France The Duo Cat-Amania, the premiere doublehanded offshore regatta in France, was recently hosted by the Yacht Club Crouesty Arzon (YCCA). An amazing fleet of fifty-plus doublehanded teams participated in the event. Posted on 29 Jun
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastGJW Direct - Yacht 2019 - FooterSunstorm Marine - Mooring Chafe Guard - Sail