The J-Class yachts Velsheda and Lionheart, both recently refit at Pendennis, have been racing ahead of their expected meeting at the America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
“The last time these two spectacular vessels were in battle was in 2015, with Lionheart securing victory fresh from a refit at Pendennis in the Falmouth J-Class Regatta, but Velsheda winning each race of the subsequent RYS Bicentenary Regatta in Cowes,” Pendennis stated in a press release. “So this year the gloves were off, and certainly Velsheda‘s time at Pendennis seems to have been of benefit as the yacht performed exceptionally well, securing second place overall in the Super Maxi fleet. However, the duel didn’t end there, as Lionheart won the battle of the Js in the Corinthian’s Cup — despite both vessels securing equal points in their head-to-head, Lionheart was awarded victory based on countback.”
The final J-Class regatta of 2016 is scheduled at Les Voiles de St. Tropez at the end of September. Velsheda, built in 1933, is expected to be there, along with Lionheart, which is a modern J-Class built in 2010. Then we can all look ahead to June 2017, when the J-Class yachts will race in Bermuda as part of the America’s Cup.
J-Class yachts on the water today: Along with Velsheda and Lionheart, they include Endeavour, Hanuman, Rainbow, Ranger, Shamrock V and the newest launch, Topaz.
