Fleet new and restored: J-Class yachts take the Med

Expect a fleet new and restored among J-Class sailing yachts descending on the Mediterranean this year, led by owners who race these 119-to-140-foot icons themselves. The revival pairs historic restorations such as Shamrock V with modern replicas racing at Palma and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

Key Takeaways

• New owners are helming replica and restored J-Class yachts across Mediterranean regattas in 2026.
• Rainbow, Hanuman, and Svea are set to clash at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in late September.
• Shamrock V finished a 4.5-year, 247,000-hour restoration and aims for Greek regattas plus a guest role at the 38th America's Cup in Naples.
• Six modern replicas already exist; a Yankee replica under construction could return the fleet to 10 boats.

Why is a fleet new and restored hitting the Med again?

J-Class yachts once defined 1930s America's Cup racing, with sail plans of up to 7,500 square feet and crews of about 25. Of the 10 original Js, only Britain's Shamrock V, Endeavour, and Velsheda survived; six American boats were scrapped.

This year, according to Robb Report, a navy of both new and historic Js is returning to Mediterranean waters. Louise Morton, class secretary of the J-Class Association, calls a J "the ultimate yacht to own and race." Fresh stewards are absorbing huge support costs because they value the class's heritage—and many take the helm themselves.

Which yachts are racing, and who owns them?

Rainbow, a 2012 replica of Harold Vanderbilt's 1934 original, is now captained by owner Peter Harrison, C.E.O. of Richard Mille EMEA. Hanuman, a 2009 replica of 1937's Endeavour II once commissioned by Netscape founder Jim Clark, was recently acquired by Italian sailor Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, who is piloting it.

Both will face Svea—owned by Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström—at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in late September. Rainbow and Svea already met in June at the Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille. At 143 feet and launched in 2017 from 1937 Swedish plans, Svea is the longest J ever built. Lionheart, built in 2010 to historic plans, remains a crowd favorite.

How do restorations and replicas keep the class alive?

In the early 1980s, Elizabeth Meyer restored Shamrock V and Endeavour, sparking renewed interest. Shamrock V, originally built for Sir Thomas Lipton, has just completed a four-and-a-half-year restoration involving 247,000 man hours. Plans call for two regattas in Greece and a guest appearance next year at the 38th America's Cup in Naples.

Restorations keep original lines while adding modern engineering, systems, and larger interiors. Six modern replicas combine century-old plans with aluminum hulls, composite rigging, and current sail technology. A replica of the 1930 America's Cup defender Yankee is under construction and could bring the fleet back to 10 strong.

For collectors chasing rare, heritage-driven trophies—on water or ashore—explore more in our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes coverage. Wick Hillege of Dykstra, involved in six Js plus Yankee, says the mission remains racing: "We focus on making sure their maximum performance potential can be achieved." The slender hulls and immense sail plans, he adds, are "the styling that somehow always works."