{"id":3473,"date":"2026-10-06T12:25:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/?p=3473"},"modified":"2026-10-10T10:49:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T08:49:17","slug":"the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/","title":{"rendered":"The J-Class: The finest boats with the best sailors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In the history of the America\u2019s Cup, sailing with the J-Class yachts stands out as a highlight. It was also the pinnacle for &#8220;The Norwegian Steam&#8221;\u2014the sailors from south-west Norway, the island of Tysnes in particular, and their reputation as a world-class crew.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The J-Class is considered by many to be among the most beautiful sailing yachts ever built. Their sleek lines and the seamanship required to sail them remain fascinating to this day. The 1930s marked their heyday. From 1930 onwards, the yachts built to compete for the America\u2019s Cup followed new guidelines designed to make them more standardized and modern\u2014giving rise to the J-Class. The most visible difference from the preceding class was the adoption of a Bermuda rig, replacing the earlier gaff rig. The last yacht to win the America\u2019s Cup in the previous class was \u00abResolute\u00bb in 1920. One-third of her crew hailed from Tysnes, including First Mate Engel Vaage and Second Mate Gunnar Gjerstad. The reputation of &#8220;The Norwegian Steam&#8221; was thus well established by the time crews were being assembled for the yachts of the new class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A short but magnificent era<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A J-Class yacht was required to have a waterline length of between 76 and 87 feet (23\u201326.5 m) and an overall length of between 120 and 135 feet (36.5\u201341 m). The mast stood over 50 meters tall and carried a sail area of \u200b\u200bnearly 700 m\u00b2. In addition, there was the spinnaker, which could be twice that size. <em>Ranger<\/em>\u2014winner of the 1937 America\u2019s Cup\u2014carried a spinnaker measuring a massive 1,672 m\u00b2, enough to cover two handball courts. A crew of around 25 was required to sail these vessels. Ten J-Class yachts were built in the 1930s: six in the USA\u2014<em>Enterprise<\/em>, <em>Weetamoe<\/em>, <em>Whirlwind<\/em>, <em>Yankee<\/em>, <em>Rainbow<\/em>, and <em>Ranger<\/em>\u2014and four in Great Britain\u2014<em>Shamrock V<\/em>, <em>Velsheda<\/em>, <em>Endeavour<\/em>, and <em>Endeavour II<\/em>. Additionally, some older boats were converted to the J-Class: <em>Vanitie<\/em> and <em>Resolute<\/em> in the USA, and <em>White Heather II<\/em>, <em>Britannia<\/em>, <em>Astra<\/em>, and <em>Candida<\/em> in Great Britain. At that time, only these two nations competed for the America\u2019s Cup, with regattas held in 1930, 1934, and 1937. &#8220;The Auld Mug,&#8221; as the trophy is affectionately known, is the world\u2019s oldest existing sports trophy. It is named after the yacht <em>America<\/em>, which won what is considered the inaugural race in 1851. The Americans dominated from the start, and a full 132 years would pass before their winning streak was broken. In 1983, an Australian boat finally brought the perpetual trophy home to another nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The J-Class yachts competed for a mere eight years; it all came to an end after the 1937 America\u2019s Cup. World War II brought an abrupt halt to the era, and by 1940, several of the boats had been scrapped to provide steel and lead for war materials. Others were left to rot as wrecks. However, in recent years, the class has experienced a renaissance\u2014as we shall see.<strong><br><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The World\u2019s Most Expensive Hobby<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Building, manning, and sailing these vessels was not a pursuit for just anyone. In today\u2019s money, building a J-Class yacht would cost between USD 10 million and 20 million (NOK 100\u2013200 million), with annual operating costs of USD 3 million (NOK 30 million). It is not without reason that this has been called the world\u2019s most expensive hobby. The book \u00abEnterprise to Endeavour\u00bb (Ian Dear, 2004) cites a remark made during a discussion about these staggering costs: &#8220;If a fellow starts asking how much it costs to go yacht racing, the answer is that he can\u2019t afford it!&#8221; It is also telling that Harold S. Vanderbilt\u2014perhaps the most famous American industrial tycoon of the era\u2014spearheaded the construction of all three boats that won the America\u2019s Cup in the 1930s: <em>Enterprise<\/em> (1930), <em>Rainbow<\/em> (1934), and <em>Ranger<\/em> (1937). This was a pastime reserved for the super-rich, standing in stark contrast to the hardships many endured during the Depression. The income earned by the crews hired for these boats was all the more welcome. This is detailed in a series of articles about &#8220;The Norwegian Steam,&#8221; published in the Norwegian periodical \u00abSeilmagasinet\u00bb in the spring of 2005 and written by Kjell Magnus \u00d8kland. In the series, he interviews individuals such as <strong>Olav Lunde<\/strong> (1913-2004), who served as a crew member on the tugboat for the yacht <em>Whirlwind<\/em> in 1930. &#8220;Those of us who got to work on the racing circuit were incredibly lucky,&#8221; he recounts. &#8220;The pay was excellent, and the early 1930s were a time of depression and very hard times. But in fact, the harsh 1930s weren&#8217;t quite so hard on Tysnes, since a lot of money was coming in from yacht sailing in the US,&#8221; recalls Olav Lunde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Several Tysnes Natives on Winning Boats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The America\u2019s Cup is contested by just two boats\u2014one from each nation\u2014in a format known as match racing. In the 1930s, the duel for the trophy took place off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, in the northeastern United States. Qualifying regattas were held to determine which boat would compete. &#8220;The Norwegian Steam&#8221;\u2014led by sailors from Tysnes\u2014made up a significant contingent of the crews on the American boats (see the crew list here on the website). Many consider this a key reason why American boats dominated during the 1930s. Several Tysnes natives helped win the trophy. <strong>Knut Berentin Bruntveit<\/strong> from Reksteren was on the winning boat in every competition during the 1930s: <em>Enterprise<\/em> in 1930, <em>Rainbow<\/em> in 1934, and <em>Ranger<\/em> in 1937. Others aboard <em>Enterprise<\/em> in 1930 included <strong>Torbj\u00f8rn Hansson Heie<\/strong>, <strong>Lars Andreas Hope<\/strong>, <strong>Olai L. Hope<\/strong>, <strong>Torvald Berntin Hope<\/strong>, and <strong>Wilhelm A. Hope<\/strong>. The crew of <em>Rainbow<\/em> in 1934 also included <strong>Gunnar Henning<\/strong> <strong>F\u00e6rev\u00e5g<\/strong> (see below), <strong>Karl Martin Lunde<\/strong>, and likely <strong>Sverre Mollevik<\/strong>. Karl Martin Lunde and\u2014in all likelihood\u2014<strong>Arne Jensen<\/strong> were on board <em>Ranger<\/em> in 1937.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, there could easily have been more trophy winners from Tysnes. During the 1934 selection trials, <em>Yankee<\/em>\u2014the foremost &#8220;Tysnes boat&#8221; of them all\u2014missed out on victory over <em>Rainbow<\/em> by a mere second. You can read more about this dramatic episode in other articles on the Jaattlaget website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When Vanderbilt Went Below Deck and Rainbow Won<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the previously mentioned article series in \u00abSeilmagasinet\u00bb, Kjell Magnus \u00d8kland interviewed Gunnar Henning F\u00e6rev\u00e5g (1913\u20132008). Gunnar was one of the last surviving individuals who could recount firsthand experiences from on board and was among the sailors from Tysnes who took part in winning the America\u2019s Cup. During the 1934 competition, Gunnar explains, <em>Rainbow<\/em> was trailing the British yacht <em>Endeavour<\/em> after the initial races. &#8220;After we lost the first two races, everyone was downcast\u2014Vanderbilt especially. As we were so far behind, Sherman Hoyt <sup data-fn=\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\" class=\"fn\"><a href=\"#d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\" id=\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84-link\">1<\/a><\/sup>  took command. Vanderbilt then told us not to listen to him anymore. He then went below deck to have lunch,&#8221; Gunnar recalled. <em>Rainbow<\/em> won the next four races, ensuring that &#8220;The Auld Mug&#8221; once again remained in American hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <sup data-fn=\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\" class=\"fn\"><a href=\"#d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\" id=\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84-link\">1<\/a><\/sup>  Hoyt was a legendary yacht skipper and a superstar in the sailing world for many decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The superior Ranger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the 1937 competition, revised regulations were introduced requiring the rig to weigh at least 2.9 tonnes. These increased specifications were intended to prevent the frequent dismastings that had plagued J-Class yachts\u2014particularly during the 1935 racing season in British waters (known as the &#8220;British Big Class Season&#8221;). <em>Yankee<\/em> was among the boats affected\u2014an <a href=\"https:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2025\/04\/01\/when-the-mast-broke-on-yankee\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3411\">incident<\/a> we have previously covered on the J\u00e5ttlaget website. For what would prove to be the final America\u2019s Cup contested by J-Class yachts, Harold Vanderbilt commissioned a new boat named <em>Ranger<\/em>. She proved to be exceptionally fast, winning the selection trials decisively against <em>Yankee<\/em> and <em>Rainbow<\/em>. In the main event, where the British team fielded <em>Endeavour II<\/em>, <em>Ranger<\/em> was equally dominant, winning all four races. &#8220;I was asked to join the crew of <em>Ranger<\/em>, but I was happy on <em>Rainbow<\/em>, so I declined,&#8221; Gunnar Henning F\u00e6rev\u00e5g told Kjell Magnus \u00d8kland. &#8220;I thought we had a chance of winning with <em>Rainbow<\/em>. How wrong I was.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The J-Class Sails On<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned, most J-Class yachts were scrapped when the Second World War broke out. By the 1980s, only three boats remained\u2014all British: <em>Shamrock V,<\/em> <em>Endeavour<\/em>, and <em>Velsheda<\/em>. However, a passion for these unique vessels burned bright among many sailing enthusiasts, and work began in the 1980s to restore them. In 2001, a regatta was organized around the Isle of Wight featuring these three boats. This took place as part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the America\u2019s Cup. The J Class Association was established in 2000, and interest surged further when a replica of <em>Ranger<\/em> was launched in 2004. Several more replicas and newly designed boats have since joined the fleet, and the association has organized regattas in Newport (USA), Falmouth and Cowes on the south coast of Britain, and at various locations across the Mediterranean. By 2017, the fleet comprised nine J-Class yachts: <em>Endeavour<\/em>, <em>Hanuman<\/em>, <em>Lionheart<\/em>, <em>Rainbow<\/em>, <em>Ranger<\/em>, <em>Shamrock V<\/em>, <em>Velsheda<\/em>, <em>Topaz<\/em>, and <em>Svea<\/em>. In 2024, several regattas were held featuring <em>Rainbow<\/em>, <em>Velsheda<\/em>, and the newly built Swedish yacht <em>Svea<\/em>. New competitions are planned for 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The magnificent J-Class yachts sail on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"447\" height=\"556\" data-attachment-id=\"3484\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/bilde1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?fit=447%2C556\" data-orig-size=\"447,556\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Bilde1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Beautiful rivals. Rainbow and Yankee (nearest) fought many a duel\u2014the most dramatic being when Rainbow won the battle to defend the America\u2019s Cup in 1934 by a mere second.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?fit=447%2C556\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?resize=447%2C556\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3484\" style=\"width:331px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?w=447 447w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?resize=241%2C300 241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Beautiful rivals.<\/strong> Rainbow and Yankee (nearest) fought many a duel\u2014the most dramatic being when Rainbow won the battle to defend the America\u2019s Cup in 1934 by a mere second.<br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"272\" height=\"318\" data-attachment-id=\"3486\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/bilde2-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png?fit=272%2C318\" data-orig-size=\"272,318\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Bilde2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Gaff-rigged. The last boat to win the America\u2019s Cup before the arrival of the J-Class was Resolute in 1920. The most visible difference was the gaff rig, as opposed to the J-Class\u2019s Bermuda rig. One-third of the crew hailed from Tysnes, with Engel Vaage serving as first mate and Gunnar Gjerstad as second mate.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png?fit=272%2C318\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png?resize=272%2C318\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3486\" style=\"width:332px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png?w=272 272w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde2-1.png?resize=257%2C300 257w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Gaff-rigged.<\/strong> The last boat to win the America\u2019s Cup before the arrival of the J-Class was Resolute in 1920. The most visible difference was the gaff rig, as opposed to the J-Class\u2019s Bermuda rig. One-third of the crew hailed from Tysnes, with Engel Vaage serving as first mate and Gunnar Gjerstad as second mate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"453\" height=\"359\" data-attachment-id=\"3487\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/bilde3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg?fit=453%2C359\" data-orig-size=\"453,359\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Bilde3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Grace at sea. Yankee off the Isle of Wight in 1935. Seated at the back on the right is Henrik J. Bakke, who served as steward on board. Yankee was the only American J-Class yacht to cross the Atlantic. Photo: Beken of Cowes.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg?fit=453%2C359\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg?resize=453%2C359\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3487\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.2619458837075417;width:327px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg?w=453 453w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde3.jpg?resize=300%2C238 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Grace at sea.<\/strong> Yankee off the Isle of Wight in 1935. Seated at the back on the right is Henrik J. Bakke, who served as steward on board. Yankee was the only American J-Class yacht to cross the Atlantic. Photo: Beken of Cowes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" data-attachment-id=\"3488\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/whirlwind-mannskap-markert\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1927\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1927\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Whirlwind mannskap markert\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Strong Tysnes presence. Among the crew of the Whirlwind in 1930 were several Tysnes natives. Far left at the back is Ole S\u00f8reide. In the middle row from the left: No. 1 Ingebrigt Simonsen Malkenes, no. 2 Magnus Larsen, no. 4 Lars Myrdal, far right Lars Henrik Hagestad. Front: No. 4 Olav Lunde, no. 6 Arthur Bakke. Behind Olav Lunde stands Lars Sigurd Henrikson Lunde.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C771\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert.jpg?resize=1024%2C771\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3488\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3281563797027716;width:329px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C771 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C226 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C578 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1156 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Whirlwind-mannskap-markert-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1542 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Strong Tysnes presence. <\/strong>Among the crew of the Whirlwind in 1930 were several Tysnes natives. Far left at the back is Ole S\u00f8reide. In the middle row from the left: No. 1 Ingebrigt Simonsen Malkenes, no. 2 Magnus Larsen, no. 4 Lars Myrdal, far right Lars Henrik Hagestad. Front: No. 4 Olav Lunde, no. 6 Arthur Bakke. Behind Olav Lunde stands Lars Sigurd Henrikson Lunde.<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"446\" height=\"738\" data-attachment-id=\"3489\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/image-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png?fit=446%2C738\" data-orig-size=\"446,738\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"image (1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A young adventurer. Olav Lunde (1913\u20132004) was just 17 when he served on the Whirlwind in 1930. The good wages earned on the boats made the 1930s less hard on Tysnes than in many other places, Olav recalled.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png?fit=446%2C738\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png?resize=446%2C738\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3489\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6043396731851058;width:326px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png?w=446 446w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png?resize=181%2C300 181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 446px) 100vw, 446px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>A young adventurer<\/strong>. Olav Lunde (1913\u20132004) was just 17 when he served on the Whirlwind in 1930. The good wages earned on the boats made the 1930s less hard on Tysnes than in many other places, Olav recalled.<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"795\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"3490\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/ranger_1937\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?fit=1553%2C2000\" data-orig-size=\"1553,2000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Ranger_1937\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Superior. Ranger on her way to a commanding victory in the 1937 America\u2019s Cup, the last to be sailed in J-class yachts.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?fit=795%2C1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?resize=795%2C1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3490\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7763798939521415;width:333px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?resize=795%2C1024 795w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?resize=233%2C300 233w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?resize=768%2C989 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?resize=1193%2C1536 1193w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ranger_1937.jpg?w=1553 1553w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Superior.<\/strong> Ranger on her way to a commanding victory in the 1937 America\u2019s Cup, the last to be sailed in J-class yachts.<br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"3491\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2026\/10\/06\/the-j-classthe-finest-boats-with-the-best-sailors\/j-class-barcelona-regatta\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?fit=2400%2C1600\" data-orig-size=\"2400,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;14&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;@ Sailing Energy \/ J Class&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;J Class Barcelona Regatta. Hosted by Real Club N\\u00e1utico de Barcelona, one week before the America\\u2019s Cup 2024 final.\\n@ Sailing Energy \/ J Class\\n08 October, 2024&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1728392723&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;@ Sailing Energy \/ J Class&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;227&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;640&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;J Class Barcelona Regatta&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"J Class Barcelona Regatta\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Sailing on. The J-Class has experienced a renaissance, with regattas regularly held. Here, Velsheda, Svea, and Rainbow (from left) battle for the lead off Barcelona in 2024. The black carbon sails offer better performance, reduce glare for the crew, and are also considered &amp;#8220;cool&amp;#8221;. They would likely have raised eyebrows back in the 1930s. Photo: J Class Association.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?fit=1024%2C683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=1024%2C683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3491\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4993387492915171;width:384px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/J-klasse-regatta-2024.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Sailing on.<\/strong> The J-Class has experienced a renaissance, with regattas regularly held. Here, Velsheda, Svea, and Rainbow (from left) battle for the lead off Barcelona in 2024. The black carbon sails offer better performance, reduce glare for the crew, and are also considered &#8220;cool&#8221;. They would likely have raised eyebrows back in the 1930s. Photo: J Class Association.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kjell Magnus \u00d8kland: The Story of The Norwegian Steam, Seilmagasinet, 2005<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ian Dear: Enterprise to Endeavor \u2013 The J Class Yachts, 2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earl Boebert: YANKEE: The most astonishing J, The Classic Yacht Symposium 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">J Class Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wikipedia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the history of the America\u2019s Cup, sailing with the J-Class yachts stands out as a highlight. It was also the pinnacle for &#8220;The Norwegian Steam&#8221;\u2014the sailors from south-west Norway, the island of Tysnes in particular, and their reputation as a world-class crew. The J-Class is considered by many to be among the most beautiful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[{\"id\":\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\",\"content\":\"\"},{\"id\":\"d4d58cc3-078c-4b71-b718-348611556a84\",\"content\":\"\"}]","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4IEmy-U1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3411,"url":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2025\/04\/01\/when-the-mast-broke-on-yankee\/","url_meta":{"origin":3473,"position":0},"title":"When the mast broke on &#8220;Yankee&#8221;","author":"Henrik Bakke","date":"1 April , 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"It is August 31, 1935. Off Dartmouth on the southwestern coast of England, four magnificent J-class boats are meeting up for the very last race of the season. For the crew of \u201cYankee\u201d, most of whom from Tysnes, it will be a highly dramatic day at sea. Just over twenty\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Boats&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Boats","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/category\/boats\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yankee_dismasted.jpg?fit=1200%2C656&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yankee_dismasted.jpg?fit=1200%2C656&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yankee_dismasted.jpg?fit=1200%2C656&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yankee_dismasted.jpg?fit=1200%2C656&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yankee_dismasted.jpg?fit=1200%2C656&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3373,"url":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2025\/01\/23\/a-call-for-crewmen-portraits\/","url_meta":{"origin":3473,"position":1},"title":"A call for crewmen portraits","author":"Jarle Petterson","date":"23 January , 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"For almost 50 years Norwegian crew members dominated the yachts competing in America's Cup and other regattas, many of whom from Tysnes. Last December the Tysnes yacht sailor museum released an online listing of more than 100 of them, inviting descendants to provide pictures and additional information, if available. \"As\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crew members&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crew members","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/category\/crew-members\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/crew_list.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/crew_list.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/crew_list.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/crew_list.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/crew_list.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3397,"url":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2025\/01\/29\/unique-footage-from-resolute-1926\/","url_meta":{"origin":3473,"position":2},"title":"Unique footage from &#8220;Resolute&#8221;, 1926","author":"Jarle Petterson","date":"29 January , 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Tysnes yacht sailor museum researcher Knut Arne Gr\u00f8teide has spent numerous hours surveying yacht sailors from Tysnes, accidentally leading him to a video clip from a yacht known to many a Tysnesing, the \"Resolute\", shot in 1926. The clip is an amateur film of a cruise taken by a group\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crew members&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crew members","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/category\/crew-members\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Resolute_1926.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Resolute_1926.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Resolute_1926.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Resolute_1926.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Resolute_1926.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3420,"url":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2025\/05\/03\/the-expensive-yacht-yankee-doesnt-look-like-a-yacht-anymore-but-a-total-wreck\/","url_meta":{"origin":3473,"position":3},"title":"&#8220;The expensive yacht Yankee doesn&#8217;t look like a yacht anymore, but a total wreck&#8221;","author":"Henrik Bakke","date":"3 May , 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"What was it like to be a crew member on a boat like the \"Yankee\" \u2013 and how did the dramatic dismasting at Dartmouth unfold for those on board? The diaries of Ole P. Dalland give us a unique insight. From his homestead at \u00d8vra Dalland, Ole P. Dalland (1904\u20131985)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Boats&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Boats","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/category\/boats\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Totalvrak.jpg?fit=1200%2C745&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Totalvrak.jpg?fit=1200%2C745&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Totalvrak.jpg?fit=1200%2C745&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Totalvrak.jpg?fit=1200%2C745&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Totalvrak.jpg?fit=1200%2C745&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":568,"url":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/2014\/06\/21\/web-site-finally-in-english\/","url_meta":{"origin":3473,"position":4},"title":"Web site &#8220;finally&#8221; in English","author":"Jarle Petterson","date":"21 June , 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Following a few months' planning, and just a couple of weeks after the launch in Norwegian, the yacht sailor exhibition charity, commonly known as \"J\u00e5ttlaget\", is proud to present the English edition of its website\u2014even though it's been known to some for a couple of days. It's a well-known fact\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/category\/featured-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ballonger.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ballonger.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ballonger.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ballonger.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ballonger.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bilde1.jpg?fit=447%2C556","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3473"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3500,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473\/revisions\/3500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jaattlaget.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}