J/70 Class Chooses RaceSense for 2024 Worlds
Vakaros and the 2024 J/70 World Championship are thrilled to announce a new partnership, bringing RaceSense technology to the racecourse of one of one design sailing’s marquee events, in September 2024. 99 teams will take to the waters of Palma, and in doing so, debut automatic pinging, OCS detection, timing, and tracking in the world’s strongest small keelboat class.
The J/70 Class is known worldwide as the pinnacle of small keelboat racing, offering a platform for tight and fair racing for a range of sailors from corinthians to Olympic medalists. The 2024 World Championships, hosted by Real Club Nautico de Palma, promises to test sailors in one of the world’s most competitive fleets on the water of the Mediterranean.
The J/70 Class has a history of running large events, from the 2024 Corinthian World Championship with 109 teams to an annual World and European Championship, each traditionally with over 80 entrants. These events are often strained by sheer fleet sizes, and the time it takes to set square starting lines, allow teams to ping, and get fair, efficient races off.
Vakaros’ RaceSense is a huge step forward in race management, and for the J/70 class, will allow for more efficient racing without the hassle of pinging, slow OCS calls, or countless general recalls. Each team at the 2024 J/70 World Championship will compete with a Vakaros Atlas 2 Instrument affixed to their mast, providing automatic timing, OCS notification, and live pings. Competitors will no longer need to sail by the ends, sync timers, or wait through jailbreak starts. Vakaros founder Todd Wilson shares his excitement to be working with the J/70 class:
The J/70 class really sets the standard for small keelboat racing: when we developed RaceSense, we knew it could change the game at these big events. We’ve all spent our time pinging, waiting through recalls, or in OCS redress hearings. We can’t wait for J/70 sailors to experience this new way of racing.
RaceSense has been used extensively in events around the world, from the 2024 Etchells Worlds to the M32 Class’s entire regatta calendar. It is a tool trusted by world class Race Officers and sailors alike. J/70 Class Technical Chair Mark Foster, also a renowned IRO, has extensive experience running RaceSense events:
RaceSense has changed how I run races: it’s a fair option for competitors and race officers, performs beyond the human eye, provides instant over early calls and allows us to be more efficient on the water. The quality of racing in Palma will be a game changer, we cannot wait to run more events with RaceSense for the J70 class in the future.
Competitors have lots to look forward to, and many who have used RaceSense in other classes have shared their desire to help improve racing in the J/70, beginning with this year’s Worlds. G-Spot main trimmer Karlo Hmeljak shares:
We’ve used RaceSense in a number of regattas. As a sailor, it offers you an opportunity to compete on a fairer playing field while stressing less between races. The automatic timers and pings allow you to focus more on your race, rather than messing around before the start.
The 2024 J/70 World Championship will take place from September 13 to 22, 2024. You can follow the results here: J/70 Worlds 2024 Event Page.
ABOUT VAKAROS: Vakaros aims to improve on-water experiences for sailors, race committees, volunteers, and spectators through accessible technology. Their RaceSense technology combines the Atlas 2 and Atlas Edge flagship instruments with a software package allowing America’s Cup and SailGP style race management at a technical and financial level accessible to ordinary sailors.
ABOUT THE J/70 CLASS: The J/70 is J/Boats’ first fully ramp-launchable, keelboat – designed to fulfill a growing need for an easy-to-own, high performance one-design that is exciting to sail, stable enough for the entire family, easy to tow behind the family vehicle, to rig in the parking lot, ramp launch and sail. Plus, J/70 is built to last.
