The term international waters will apply to Buzzards Bay this weekend as sailors from Australia, Canada and Japan have arrived for the 2014 J/24 U.S. National Championship.

Forty-six teams are registered to compete in the championship hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club. Registration was underway on Thursday as many arrived with sailboats in tow at Island Wharf.

The J/24 is a popular keelboat as defined by the International Sailing Federation. The boats are built to similar or identical specifications. According to the International J/24 Class Association, more than 50,000 people sail the boats worldwide.

The National Championship was last held in Marion in 1986. This year, Executive Director of the J/24 International Class Chris Howell said a number of the participants are using the event to prepare for a bigger race next month.

“This is a pretty significant race,” he said. “That’s why people are here from Australia, Japan and Canada. But many of them are using it to tune up for the world championship next month.”

In September, the J/24 World Championship will be held in Newport, Rhode Island. While anyone may compete in the National Championship, the Newport race is only open to those who qualify.

Competition in Marion starts Friday, Aug. 22 and continues through Sunday, Aug. 24 in Buzzards Bay.

The course is under the supervision of Principal Race Officer Sue Reilly. As the Race Officer Reilly oversees how the course is set up, ensures the race is run properly among other duties.

With fair weather predicted she said this year’s race should be a good one.

“Buzzards Bay is known as a great venue for sailing,” she said.