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Annual Fleet President’s Message


Photo by Kristin Rutkowski | Gallery
Greetings!

As the new year unfolds, I find myself filled with excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to each and every one of you. Together, we form a community bound by our shared love for sailing, camaraderie, and a thirst for pushing the limits of our capabilities.

First, I want to extend my warmest wishes for a prosperous and joyful new year. May the wind always fill your sails, guiding you towards new horizons as you navigate the boundless span of marine waters. As we embark on this journey together, let us embrace the challenges that lie ahead with unwavering determination and a spirit of unity.

Looking back at the previous year and the objectives I had as your Class President, I hope that you had many chances to sail and enjoy the benefits of this lifestyle. My goal of meeting a few skippers in person across the country was amazingly fulfilled while attending the 2023 North American Championship hosted by the Bristol Yacht Club in Rhode Island last August, and when a J/30 skipper from Alaska visited Annapolis, Maryland this past fall prompting a spontaneous meetup with a few Chesapeake skippers at Eastport Yacht Club. It is through these types of experiences that I feel we have forged unbreakable bonds, creating a community that is not merely a fleet, but a family.

My ambition is to continue my original goals as your Class President by encouraging you to get out on the water and inspire newcomers to our class to learn from our fleet so that they may keep the sport of sailing alive and well. I also would like to promote more in-person meet-ups to continue building our camaraderie nationwide.

With that in mind, please save the dates for the 2024 North American Championship to be held in Annapolis, Maryland on September 11-15, 2024. Eastport Yacht Club will host this event. I think we might set a new class record by having the most female skippers participate in a J/30 North American Championship. I hope you will join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement! Registration is now open, and I am incredibly pleased to announce that we already have seven J/30s registered! I am hoping to have at least fifteen boats signed up, including the top three finishers from last year!

Even if you do not wish to, or cannot compete, please consider joining us and participating in the onshore events. Annapolis is a gem of American history and maritime culture. A wonderful city to captivate and inspire you whether you are visiting the historic landmarks, savoring the delicious seafood, or just soaking in the charming ambiance along with our fleet’s special camaraderie! For the Notice of Race and other info please check out https://www.eastportyc.org/j30-na.

Make sure to keep your dues current. To pay your 2024 Class Association membership dues, please click on the link at top of this message highlighted in yellow or visit the J/30 class website: http://j30.us/renew/

I also encourage everyone to share their experiences sailing and owning a J/30 on the J/30 Facebook page and utilizing the class association’s website and forums.

In closing, I want to thank you for being part of this amazing fleet. The J/30 Class is the reason for our bond, and our shared passion and firm determination will keep us moving ahead.

Wishing you fair winds, smooth seas, and an unforgettable year ahead.

Heidi Frist
J/30 Class President
Suzie Q #203
Hmfrist1@verizon.net

Class Association

41st J/30 North American Championship


1st Place Jeroboam – Kenneth Deyett


2nd Blue Meanie – Steve Buzbee


3rd Place Blue Jacket – Sumner Parker

Photos and Films are available on the J/30 National Class Association Facebook Page

Final Results | Photos




Rodney Johnstone, J/30 designer and founder/owner of J/Boats was the key note speaker at the J/30 North American Championship hosted at Bristol Yacht Club, RI on August 24-27th, 2023. Rodney explained, “times have change. He asked how many of us were sleeping on our boats this weekend. Back in the day doing a regatta like this, everyone slept on their boats”. J/30 One Love sailed from Annapolis, MD to Bristol Rhode Island to race in the 41st annual championship.

Hot Chocolate wins at Bikini Cup

Congratulations to Debby Grimm and team Hot Chocolate for winning the 43rd Annual Bikini Cup Regatta in Pensacola, FL.

This weekend’s regatta is part of the 23rd Annual Women’s trilogy race series. July 22 is Race for the Roses. Aug 5-6 is the Fast Women regatta.

Bikini Cup July 15, 2023 @ Navy Yacht Club Pensacola
https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/25610#_docs

Race for the Roses July 22, 2023 @ Pensacola Beach Yacht Club
https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/26718/Roses2023NOR.pdf

Fast Women Regatta August 5-6, 2023 @ Point Yacht Club
https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/26739#_docs

Shamrock’s Big Wins at the 2023 Helly Hansen
Sailing World Regatta Series

Annual Fleet President’s Message

Photo by Kristin Rutkowski | Gallery

Annual Fleet President’s Message

January 5, 2023

Dear J/30 Fleet, Happy New Year!

My name is Heidi Frist and I am the owner/skipper of Suzie Q, hull #203 located in the Chesapeake Bay. I am so honored to be elected to serve as the 16th Class President and the first female in the history of our association. I have had a lot of fun serving as the Chesapeake Fleet Captain and look forward to expanding this fun to a national level!

I want to thank our outgoing President, Bruce Irvin, for his leadership and guidance. Bruce is a dedicated member of our class and an excellent skipper and competitor who continuously displays the spirit of honesty and integrity. He is always there to offer a supportive hand in giving tips on racing strategy and boat handling to encourage members of the class to participate in various regattas and events. I remember he twisted my arm to enter Suzie Q in Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade in 2019. He said it was the most Christmassy thing you can do. And sure enough, he was right! So, thank you Bruce for your devotion to our class!

I also want to thank Dave Erwin for his support and friendship and Dan Mather for keeping us straight with our finances.

Hailing originally from the hills of West Virginia, I did not grow up sailing. When I moved to Maryland in 2002 and experienced other life changing events, I discovered the Chesapeake Bay and what it is like to be powered by the wind to move through the water. I purchased my J/30 on Mother’s Day in 2012 and my life hasn’t been the same since! As I’ve grown to love racing in the Chesapeake Bay, I’ve also grown to love cruising with friends, visiting some amazing places by water. My favorite so far is sailing Grenada and the Grenadines. I’ve done a couple Golden Rock Regattas (a race from St. Martin to St. Eustasia including all the islands in between that was sadly discontinued) and in 2016, I participated in the Key West to Cuba race. I have even done a couple amazing boat deliveries along the east coast with my partner who is a licensed captain. If you want a little more info about me, check out Spinsheet’s Start Sailing Now article in their February 2022 issue.

I am enthusiastic about the upcoming sailing season! My goal as your Class President is to encourage racers and cruisers of the J/30 fleet to get out on the water and enjoy what this lifestyle has to offer. I am hoping to get some of us together in-person for social meetups and build up our camaraderie nationwide. I want to welcome newcomers to our class and encourage young sailors to learn from our fleet so they may keep the sport of sailing alive and well. I am also hoping to learn from you! I am optimistic that you all share the same enthusiasm and will help me achieve these goals.

To get things started, please mark your calendar for the 2023 North American to be held in Bristol, RI on August 24-27, 2023. Anyone who is planning to go to Bristol, RI should start thinking about their accommodations and making those reservations as soon as possible. Even if you don’t want to, or are unable to compete, please consider joining us and participating in the on-shore events. Bristol is a New England tourist haven with amazing seafood, beautiful views and historic attractions. It is also arguably where our boats were born! A great place to have a little vacation and fleet camaraderie at the same time! For the Notice of Race and other info please check out Bristol Yacht Club’s website for this event.

Make sure to keep your dues current. To pay your 2023 Class Association membership dues, please visit the J/30 class website: http://j30.us/renew/

I also encourage everyone to share their experiences sailing and owning a J/30 on the J/30 Facebook page and utilizing the class association’s website and forums.

I look forward to meeting you all in person in Bristol, RI. Have a great year on and off the water!

Heidi Frist
J/30 Class President
Suzie Q #203