J/95 is Overall Boat-of-the-Year and the J/97 Wins Best Club Racer!
Christmas is four days early!
![J97 May 2009_0299[2] s](http://www.keyyachting.com/wp-content/uploads/J97-May-2009_02992-s3-300x199.jpg "J97 May 2009_0299[2] s")
The newest issue of Sailing World magazine arrived by FedX this morning with an action cover shot of the J/95 sailing upwind, and a feature article announcing the J/95 as the OVERALL WINNER of Sailing World’s Boat of the Year for 2010!
Three pages later, the J/97 is announced as the winner of the Best Club Racer.
This is the first time in J history that two different J designs have won BOTY in the same year; and much appreciated recognition for the huge effort by the whole J network to bring these models to market in 2009.
The Sailing World press release goes out later today. Here are a few excerpts:
“Rodney Johnstone, the J/95’s designer, has been designing boats for decades, and when he says this is his best boat yet, he’s not kidding,” says Dave Read, Sailing World’s editor and Boat of the Year director.
“The judges were struck by how well it sails and how well it’s built. But what cemented the J/95’s selection was its versatility. It’s a 31 footer that sailors of all skill levels will love to race. And because of its clever centerboard keel and twin rudders, it can be raced or daysailed virtually anywhere – shallow bays, lakes, or the open ocean.”
‘The J/97 sails beautifully and has the volume, look and feel of a 40 footer. Somehow in the populated J/Boat world, designer Alan Johnstone has found himself a sweet spot between the more racing oriented J/105 and the cruise-able J/109 and J/122. “This is a really versatile boat,’ said Chuck Allen, who was most impressed with its simplicity and comfort. ‘The perfect sort of boat for taking to an out-of-town regatta. You could stay on it and race it. It definitely feels bigger than it really is.‘Thanks to CCF and International Marine for their expertise and hard work on the J/95 tooling and production, and to J Europe for the successful introduction of the J/97, which is currently a finalist in the European Boat of the Year awards (being announced next month).
The J/95: Innovative and Fast!
