--- title: Rise of the J/99 description: Of the 14 Double Handed yachts entered in the 384 nautical mile Sydney to Gold Coast race, 6 are J99s. image: https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hubfs/afrancolini_cabbagetree2024__0062_16x9.png --- [![Ensign Yacht Brokers](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Ensign_Yachts_September2022/images/ensign-yachts-logo-lg.png?width=604&height=315&name=ensign-yachts-logo-lg.png "Ensign Yacht Brokers")](https://ensignyachts.com.au/) [1300 609 900](tel:1300%20609%20900) Australia’s Premier Yacht Group - [Home](https://ensignyachts.com.au/) - New Boats - [New Boat Brands](https://ensignyachts.com.au/new-boat-brands/) - Motor Yachts - [Bavaria Motor Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bavaria-motor-yachts/) - [Rhea Marine](https://ensignyachts.com.au/rhea-marine-range/) - [Bering Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bering-yachts-range/) - [HeySea Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/heysea-yachts-range/) - Sailing Yachts - [Bavaria Sailing Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bavaria-sailing-yachts-range/) - [Nautitech Catamarans](https://ensignyachts.com.au/nautitech-catamarans-range/) - [Tofinou](https://ensignyachts.com.au/tofinou-range/) - [Wauquiez](https://ensignyachts.com.au/wauquiez-range/) - [J/Boats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/jboats/) - [Share Boating](https://ensignyachts.com.au/ensign-share-boating/) - Used Boats - [Superyachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/superyachts-used/) - [Sailing](https://ensignyachts.com.au/sailing-used/) - [Power Boats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/power-boats-used/) - [Multihull](https://ensignyachts.com.au/multihull-used/) - [Houseboats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/houseboats/) - [Commercial](https://ensignyachts.com.au/commercial-used/) - Services - [Spare Parts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/spare-parts/) - [Insurance](https://ensignyachts.com.au/insurance/) - [Finance](https://ensignyachts.com.au/finance/) - [Sell Your Boat](https://ensignyachts.com.au/sell/) - [Moorings & Berths](https://ensignyachts.com.au/moorings-berths/) - About Us - [About](https://ensignyachts.com.au/about/) - [Crew](https://ensignyachts.com.au/crew/) - [Events](https://events.ensignyachts.com.au/) - [Dock Lines](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/) - [Testimonials](https://ensignyachts.com.au/testimonial/) - [Privacy Policy](https://ensignyachts.com.au/privacy-policy/) - [Contact Us](https://ensignyachts.com.au/contact-us/) - ... - [Home](https://ensignyachts.com.au/) - New Boats - [New Boat Brands](https://ensignyachts.com.au/new-boat-brands/) - Motor Yachts - [Bavaria Motor Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bavaria-motor-yachts/) - [Rhea Marine](https://ensignyachts.com.au/rhea-marine-range/) - [Bering Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bering-yachts-range/) - [HeySea Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/heysea-yachts-range/) - Sailing Yachts - [Bavaria Sailing Yachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/bavaria-sailing-yachts-range/) - [Nautitech Catamarans](https://ensignyachts.com.au/nautitech-catamarans-range/) - [Tofinou](https://ensignyachts.com.au/tofinou-range/) - [Wauquiez](https://ensignyachts.com.au/wauquiez-range/) - [J/Boats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/jboats/) - [Share Boating](https://ensignyachts.com.au/ensign-share-boating/) - Used Boats - [Superyachts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/superyachts-used/) - [Sailing](https://ensignyachts.com.au/sailing-used/) - [Power Boats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/power-boats-used/) - [Multihull](https://ensignyachts.com.au/multihull-used/) - [Houseboats](https://ensignyachts.com.au/houseboats/) - [Commercial](https://ensignyachts.com.au/commercial-used/) - Services - [Spare Parts](https://ensignyachts.com.au/spare-parts/) - [Insurance](https://ensignyachts.com.au/insurance/) - [Finance](https://ensignyachts.com.au/finance/) - [Sell Your Boat](https://ensignyachts.com.au/sell/) - [Moorings & Berths](https://ensignyachts.com.au/moorings-berths/) - About Us - [About](https://ensignyachts.com.au/about/) - [Crew](https://ensignyachts.com.au/crew/) - [Events](https://events.ensignyachts.com.au/) - [Dock Lines](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/) - [Testimonials](https://ensignyachts.com.au/testimonial/) - [Privacy Policy](https://ensignyachts.com.au/privacy-policy/) - [Contact Us](https://ensignyachts.com.au/contact-us/) - ... 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Of the 14 Double Handed yachts entered in the 384 nautical mile race, one yacht design will be out in force – [J/99](https://ensignyachts.com.au/ensign/yachts-for-sale/new/sail-monohulls/j-boats-j-99/306928/)s, of which six are entered in the Double Handed Division. These are Balancing Act (Tony Craner and Rick Plain), Blue Planet (Chris O’Neill and Jason Keg), Jupiter (Ian Smith and John Cross), Rum Rebellion (Shane Connelly and Tony Sutton), The Gaffer (Rob Frayne and Richard Dumas) and Verite (Paul Beath and Stephen Prince). ![rob-frayne](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/rob-frayne.jpeg?width=300&height=300&name=rob-frayne.jpeg) NSGCYR Media chatted to four J/99 competitors – Rob Frayne, Ian Smith, Tony Craner and Shane Connelly. “Quietly confident” on board The Gaffer. As the Cabbage Tree Island Race fleet worked its way out of Sydney Harbour in December 2024, one yacht caused the commentators to scratch their heads – it wasn’t on the competitor list. The mystery yacht The Gaffer wasn’t eligible to enter as it hadn’t done a qualifying passage. But co-skippers Rob Frayne and Richard Dumas were determined to get some on-water time on board the four-month-old yacht. Although they didn’t sail through the start or finish lines, they shadowed the fleet for most of the race. [The Gaffer](https://goldcoast.cycaracing.com/the-yachts/2025/the-gaffer-dh/?raceId=186&SeriesId=3) was the first J/99 to Cabbage Tree Island – not too shabby for Frayne and Dumas’ first ‘unofficial’ double-handed offshore race. Their first successful foray into the world of double-handed offshore racing gave them the confidence to tackle the 2025/26 offshore sailing season. They plan to compete in every Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore race, including the highly anticipated 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Frayne and Dumas both competed in the 2019 edition of the iconic race on board Frayne’s former yacht – the Sydney 38 Mille Sabords. “We’re quietly confident \[about the upcoming season\],” Frayne said. “We’ve just got to put the package together now. “I suppose that’s why we’re excited about this race \[NSGCYR\] to try and build on that experience in time for the Hobart.” Jupiter spins into a busy season. ![464596377_1096639112471676_4842064358122899356_n](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/464596377_1096639112471676_4842064358122899356_n.jpeg?width=300&height=200&name=464596377_1096639112471676_4842064358122899356_n.jpeg) Earlier this year, Ian Smith put his J/99 Jupiter on the market, with the intention of focusing on other endeavours outside of sailing. “But the lure of offshore \[sailing\] grabbed me, so I’m back and will do everything \[all the upcoming offshore races\],” Smith said. “I like offshore racing. It’s extremely uncomfortable but when you get to the other end, it’s so rewarding.” [Read the full article](https://goldcoast.cycaracing.com/news/2025/pre-race/nsgcyr-rise-of-the-j99/)  *Images: CYCA | Andrea Francolini*   [PRV POST](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/nautitech-44-open-special-offer) [NXT POST](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/adventures-of-vaihere-nautitech-44-open) [mailto:?subject=Rise%20of%20the%20J/99&body=https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/rise-of-the-j/99](mailto:?subject=Rise%20of%20the%20J/99&body=https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/rise-of-the-j/99) ### Recommended Posts [![](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hubfs/SydHarbReg2024_0594-3380-800-600-80_16x9.png)](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-nationals-success-during-sydney-harbour-regatta) [Events](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/tag/events), [News](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/tag/news) March 7, 2024 ##### [J/99 Nationals Success during Sydney Harbour Regatta](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-nationals-success-during-sydney-harbour-regatta) [![](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hubfs/tollgate-islands-start-9_16x9.png)](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-jupiter-claims-2nd-in-tollgate-island-race) [Videos](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/tag/videos), [News](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/tag/news) November 26, 2024 ##### [J/99 'Jupiter' claims 2nd in Tollgate Island Race](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-jupiter-claims-2nd-in-tollgate-island-race) [![](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/hubfs/Alan-Paris-and-Jon-Sayer-Photo-M2O-Media-e1738906088829_16x9.png)](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-prepares-for-mighty-melbourne-osaka-cup) [News](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/tag/news) February 13, 2025 ##### [J/99 prepares for mighty 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup](https://docklines.ensignyachts.com.au/j/99-prepares-for-mighty-melbourne-osaka-cup) #### [1300 609 900](tel:1300%20609%20900) Sign Up For Our Newsletter ## Sign Up to our Newsletter - [Privacy Policy](https://ensignyachts.com.au/privacy-policy/) Australia’s premier yacht brokerage and exclusive dealer of premium yacht brands - [The Spit Sydney](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Ensign+Ship+Brokers/@-33.8042873,151.2441927,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b12abef9e391401:0xc72c2e080b59aa64) - [Pittwater Sydney](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/The+Royal+Prince+Alfred+Yacht+Club/@-33.6561153,151.3035395,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b0d5342e62b1375:0xae9f2ece725f365c) - [Gold Coast](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Ensign+Ship+Brokers/@-27.9690622,153.4245303,17z/data=!4m6!1m3!3m2!1s0x6b910f900cf038cf:0xd8714d553aafb46b!2sEnsign+Ship+Brokers!3m1!1s0x6b910f900cf038cf:0xd8714d553aafb46b) - [Melbourne](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Martha+Cove,+Safety+Beach+VIC+3936/@-38.3075095,144.9968333,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad5c521a040466f:0x2a0456754b38ea70) - [Sunshine Coast](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Ensign+Ship+Brokers+Mooloolaba/@-26.6851852,153.1267303,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b9375eb7054b94d:0xd5378cf3be7b1fed) - [Fremantle](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Fremantle+WA+6160/@-32.052545,115.7209511,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x2a32a249e10837bb:0x504f0b535df4480!8m2!3d-32.0518191!4d115.7551085) --- NOTE: As you may have seen in the media, there has been an increasing occurrence of fraudsters intercepting emails and inserting their bank account details in place of the intended account details. 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