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J-CUP 2008

Posted 3 months, 6 days ago

J-CUP 2008
J-CUP 2008 DAY ONE The 75 boats competing at the J-Cup 2008, which is being hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble, were treated to a brisk easterly breeze and predominantly blue skies across the Solent the Solent on Friday for the first three races of the regatta. Racing takes place in five classes, on two race areas, and the event also incorporates the 32 boat fleet of J/109s which are racing for their UK National Championship. The J/109s enjoyed testing windward-leeward championship courses managed by PRO Tony Lovell. With this number of boats on the line the Class deserve credit for the three ‘clean’ starts. Race One saw the current J/109 National Champions Bruce Jubb, Jeff Dakin and Mike Flood get the bullet in Johnny Blue II, with Michael Ewart Smith and Ben Richards second in Zelda and Mike and Sarah Wallis were third in Jahmali. The RAF Sailing Association’s Red Arrow nailed the next one with Sling at the helm, Johnny Blue II held on to second and Matt Boyle’s team crossed the line third. The final Race of the day, Race Three went to Zelda but Jon Perry and Simon Murphy’s Firestorm were hot on their heels. Jamie Arnell’s Jeez Louise took third place. In Class 1, racing under IRC, the J/133 Jump owned and raced by Stewart Hawthorn established a clear lead from the J/122 Jinja (sailed by the red-headed Matthews family) and Chas Ivill’s J/133 JB3. Not enjoying his second place in Race One, Chas resolved to do better in Race Two and finished at the top of the fleet ahead of David Hunt’s J/122 (Jacob’s Ladder) in second and Jump in third. In the final race of the day Jump found her form once more and led Jacob’s Ladder and Neil Martin’s J/133 Jammy Dodger across the finish line. The J/92s and the J/100s in Class 2 had some fabulous competition. Richard Sparrow, the J/92 National Champion won Race 1 in Who’s to No with Andrew Roberts’ J/92 S Just in Time taking second from Pete and Pip Tyler in Neilson Redeye who were third. Neilson Redeye clinched it in Race Two and Who’s to No picked up the second place form Just in Time in third. Who’s to No won Race Three from Neilson and Just in Time. Nine J/105s are racing in class at the J-Cup this year, on a level rating basis according to strict one-design rules. Paul Griffiths, winner of the recent Warsash Spring Series banged the bullet for Race One on Fay J with Geoff Payne’s Jolene just behind and Nick Martin’s Diablo-J in third place. The second race went to Jolene, Fay J came in just behind and William Newton’s Jelly Baby looked sweet in third place. Jolene stormed home in Race Three and Jelly Baby settled for second. New boy in the J/105 Class, Richard Watney, should be rightly thrilled with his third place in his beautiful new boat Jeopardy. The sixteen J/80s cut quite a dash on the Solent today, and Ian Atkins in Boats.com looked prettiest of all in Race One as he crossed the line first. Just behind him were the newbies to the fleet, the nippers from Team SCAAN Racing in SAO. Liz Savage’s Savage Sailing Team crossed third. In race Two Savage Sailing picked up the game and led Boats.com across the line and Nigel and Suzie Brooke were pleased with their third in their borrowed boat, Jenga IV. The same two boats take first and second in the last race if the day but Rob Fox took third in Jevan. Events like these simply wouldn’t happen without generous sponsor support and the principal sponsors of the J-Cup 2008 are one again, B&G, North Sails and Dubarry of Ireland. The North Sails daily prize winners today were the overnight leaders in each class despite two classes, the J/109s and the J/80s, having the top two boats tied on points. So big North Sails goodie bags went to J/109 Zelda, J/133 Jump, J/92 Who’s to Know, J/105 Jolene and J/80 Savage Sailing Team. B&G then treated the entire fleet (480 people!) to a few free drinks. Happy days! Racing at the J-Cup continues tomorrow with three races scheduled and a lot more breeze looking likely. Bring it on! Full Story »

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