J/105 Class at Raymarine Warsash Spring Series opener

by Kirsty Apthorp on 13 Mar 2007 Sunday 11 March was sunny with a light SW-W breeze and saw the first race of the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series. The breeze built before the start to 17knots but unfortunately that did not last.

A great course for the J/105 Class, racing one design was set. The course saw two long downwind legs and one shorter one - the brilliance of this boat is with the spinnaker up!

First off the line, were Juneau (Mike West) and J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) although by the windward mark diablo-J (Nick Martin) had taken the lead, followed by J-Dream. Juneau slipped back down the fleet after an unfortunate kite hoist, always useful to attach it!

Meanwhile J-Dream had passed diablo-J and set off upwind. The breeze dropped off to 6knots and diablo-J led again at the windward mark followed by Juliette (Rod Knowles). Fay J (Paul Griffiths) rounded close behind J-Dream, who sailed into a hole and allowed the other boats to extend their lead.

On the second downwind leg the practice put in by Java (Rob Dornton-Duff) in the Royal Southampton Series paid off, and after a poor start they passed both Juneau and Just Aquaholix (Debbie Hall, Siobhan Hayes, Joanna Finn). By the final windward mark, Juliette had got past diablo-J and led to the finish.

J-Dream got their form back downwind and with some lucky breeze beat diablo-J by 2 seconds for second place.

A race which saw places changing on every leg was relived with a couple of beers on the lawn of Warsash Sailing Club.

Leading positions:
1st Juliette (Rod Knowles)
2nd J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp)
3rd diablo-J (Nick Martin)