Yankee storms toward the mark boat to finish the first race of her summer spent in English waters to compete with the British J class around the coast, snd dispelling the myth that Js only raced in light air. On 6 June 1935 the racing fleet lay off Southend, on the Essex shore at the mouth of the River Thames, for Southend's annual Regatta. However, Shamrock V would not start due to necessary repairs to her boom and Candida refused because of a new and unstretched mainsail which she did not wish to poll out of shape in the continually freshening wind, blowing at about 17 miles per hour. Endeavour led the line off Southend Pier, followed by Velsheda, Yankee and Astra.

The course was to the Nore light vessel, then the West Oaze buoy, around the Mouse light vessel and back to the mark boat off Southend, twice round. The four J-Class yachts roared away in the southwest wind, which quickly freshened to half a gale. Disaster struck the Mouse when Astra lost a steward, George Lewis of Brightlingsea, overboard while attempting to control a wildly thrashing spinnaker sheet: he was drowned. Endeavour lost her mast and Velsheda broke her boom during the jibe. As there were vessels nearby, Yankee carried on to finish as winner of the shortened course without mishap and displaying good seamanship. In that season she was to win eight of the thirty-two races she entered on the east and south coasts, as well as four second and two third prizes.