Cassio Antunes has been revealed as the new owner of the J Class yacht Endeavour and the good news is that he is keen to race the yacht against the likes of Shamrock V, Velsheda and Ranger. With so many more new Js in the pipeline the fact that Endeavour will be back on the race course is good news following rumours that the 1934 one time America's Cup contender was going to the Pacific.

The fact that Antunes is resident in Hawaii may have given rise to these rumours but according to press reports the yacht will be in the Caribbean this winter following a refit and will then be based in Cascais near Lisbon in Portugal.

She will be available for charter in the Caribbean this winter for US$77,000 a week but her new owner will no doubt be talking to other J Class owners to see how and when they can get together on the race course.

Antunes, 44, paid US$13.1 million for the yacht in September and has had her refitted in Newport, Rhode Island. He has reportedly followed Endeavour's every move since childhood and has longed to own her. Endeavour has always been regarded as the J Class yacht to beat but after an initial locking of horns with Velsheda in Antigua several years ago she was forced into retirement when he new owner Dennis Koslowski was jailed for his part in the Tyco fraud scandal. Since then the yacht has been administered by the New York District Attorney's staff who have done what they can to keep her in shape. The picture shows Endeavour with her familiar spinnaker during a rare foray onto the race course in this year St Barths Bucket.

Endeavour will need new sails and probably a new rig to make her competitive and in the right hands will definitely give current front runner Velsheda a run for her money. Her low freeboard reportedly makes her wet in a seaway but in the right conditions she should be able to regain her performance potential.

The key is persuading the owners of the current fleet to agree on a planned meeting this coming summer when the yachting world will descend on the Mediterranean drawn by the America's Cup circus in Valencia. They should be plenty of opportunity for 'side shows' like J Class racing and with Endeavour back the competition will enjoy extra special spice.