J class yachts in the Solent, a photo from Isle of Wight, England

Photographer's Note

The J Class are among the biggest racing yachts of this, or any other period (I know there are some exceptions, such as "Reliance", the 1903 America's Cup defender, but she was always considered a "freak", and even so, was only a few metres longer overall). The Universal Rule governed the size of a yacht, determined by waterline length and this was shown as an alphabetical list. 笛� signified yachts with a waterline length of between 75 to 87 feet. Only 10 yachts were built to this rule between 1930 and 1937, after which the War intervened. Thereafter J's were considered far too costly to be realistic, and the America's Cup was then raced in much smaller 12 metre yachts. However 4 original 1930s J's survived and were gradually refitted and got sailing again. The hulk of "Endeavour", rotting in a mud berth, was sold for ｣10! Then in around 2000, a group of wealthy owners decided to revive the class, get the 4 rebuilt survivors together for competition, and build some new ones. It was agreed that new boats would have to be built to existing designs, which meant building to 1930s plans.
Seen here are two of the "new" J's, racing in the Solent earlier this year. Just in the lead is "Lionheart", from "Rainbow". They have both just rounded the windward mark and are in the middle of setting their huge white spinnakers for the run downwind back towards Cowes.
My post of a couple of months ago shows them careering downwind with spinnakers flying a few minutes later.

SnapRJW, CLODO, annjackman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-12-07 2:00

Hello Will - I like this in B&W, there are some beautiful contrasts in the tonal range. The white spinnakers are very lovely. Thanks to your light management the billowing folds and volumes are so cleanly captured. For me they are the highlight of the shot. Lovely strong shapes too provided by the mainsails and the white trim that runs up the sides of them. I like colour but when B&W works it wind hands down for me! Warm regards rosemary

jemaflor (147046) 2012-12-07 2:02

Hi Will,
Well presented these two sailboats, Interesting contrat in b&w version, Nice result with the wind in the white sails.

CLODO (45116) 2012-12-07 4:27

Hi Will

Thank you for the informative note, I had never thought what J was standing for. This picture makes me think of Keith BEKEN, - I got a Xmas present from my parents, the book "beauty of sails Nｰ3 - 1952", many years ago.
This is the decisive moment when the spinnakers are going to be open in order to sail at full speed with the wind at the back. What power in these sails!
Thanks for sharing
CLODO

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-12-07 16:11

The B&W adds a feel of stormy seas here, Will - not sure what the actual weather was like, of course, and the clouds suggest that feeling might not be far off, but the monochrome enhances it. Great look at these two, with the impressive sails dominating.

Andrew

annjackman (23019) 2012-12-08 4:14

Hello Will,
I enjoy everything about this. The light and clarity are lovely and suit the b/w conversion. The vertical framing and crop are perfect. The detail in the white is excellent and there is a feeling of motion but with very good sharpness.
Love it!
Kind Regards, Ann

batalay (41261) 2012-12-09 4:26

Hello Will,

I love the B&W photo with close cropping of the pair of J-Boats. Your note complements the package very nicely. As for the B&W, there is a timelessness conveyed here, harking back to the 30s when the boats were built. The only sign of anachronism is the thin but very strong nylon sails, seen billowing in the wind. The color image to which you refer puts the occasion into perspective. Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

karacabeylis (1471) 2012-12-09 11:42

a topnotch work indeed, especially on account of creating a great framing.

lpi (4857) 2012-12-15 13:06

Hello Will,
un tr鑚 beau clich� de ces beaux voiliers.
J'aime ton choix du noir & blanc.
Amicalement,
LPi

tatadalou (7459) 2013-01-17 12:13

Hi Will,
Superb edge-to-edge between these two boats. Processing black and white enhances the contrast between dark sails and clear ones. Ultimately, I might have cut up the upper part of the sails for the global equilibrium of the picture.
Regards,
Delphine