34 J/24s vied in two races in winds of 6-10 knots to open to 2022 J/24 European Championship, hosted by Howth Yacht Club in Ireland. Six nations are represented: Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy and the United States. American Kurt Dammeier, with newly crowned J/24 World Champion Mike Marshall on the crew, took Amuse Bouche to the early advantage with a pair of thirds for 6 points. James Torr’s MaJic from Great Britain kept consistent on the day with a 4,5 for 9 points and second place. Fellow American Denny Vaughan on Easy Street holds third place at 11 points. Comprising the top three of the 21-boat Corinthian Division are Torr’s MaJic, Konstantinos Tridimas/Kynthia Skotida on JMania (GRE) and David Hale’s Cacoon (GBR). Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted competitors for the 11am start to the Championship. Vaughan’s Easy Street earned the regatta’s first bullet, trailed by Louis Mulloy’s Headcase (IRL) and Dammeier’s Amuse Bouche. Hale’s Cacoon snagged the next victory, ahead of the team from Kinsale Yacht Club (IRL) and again Dammeier in third. Racing continues through Saturday, and 10 total races are planned. Complete results may be found at https://hyc.ie/j24-european-championships-2022#event-378, and photos are available on the International J/24 Class Facebook page.