Seventy-one crews, from 15 countries to date, have qualified and entered for what promise to be a hard-fought title.  Crewing among the competitors is two-time J24 World Championship, Maurico Santa Cruz from Brazil.  Joining the South American contingent is match-racer Dan Glomb.

The UK, yet to win the event, is represented by eight boats, including four-time European Champion, Ian Southworth, and Lucy McGregor, International Olympic Yngling sailor who will attempt to take the Women’s title.  International J24 Class Chairman, Bob Turner, will compete in his boat Headcase – a previous world championship winner.

Others travelling great distances to compete are Japan’s Kazuki Kumagai and Tsuji Hiromoto; Alistair Morrison and two other entries from Australia. Top USA teams include helmsmen Mark Hillman, Keith Whittemore and Mike Ingham.  

Leading Italian crews include Luigi Ravioli, Eugenio Trumpy, Pasquale di Fraia and Andrea Casale.

The J24 World Championship has launched the careers of many of today’s top professionals.  The resumes of America’s Cup Circuit and Volvo Ocean Race sailors are littered with J24 Class championship titles.  With over 5400 boats built, the J24 can easily claim to be the World’s favourite one-design keelboat.

Nothing has come close to the J24 and its impact since the first hull emerged from the Johnson family garage as a self-build project. The J24 remains the perfect crossover between performance sports boats and a family cruiser, between the Club Racer and the International aspirant.  Most of all, it remains great fun amongst its devotees.

Follow all the action at the 2008 J24 World Championship at www.j24arzachena.it