Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - TOP

Jahmali takes J/109 Western Solent Championship

by Kirsty Apthorp on 20 May 2008
The weekend of 10/11 May saw sixteen J/109s arrive in Yarmouth for their annual Western Solent Championship run by Royal Solent Yacht Club. After a week of wonderful sunshine, Saturday was a disappointment in every way – no sun and no wind.

After an initial postponement the Race Officer, George Chapman headed out to Christchurch Bay and summoned the fleet to join him. Frustratingly the little bit of wind disappeared as the sixteen J/109s arrived and with a strong tide, racing was abandoned for the day.

The J/109 UK Class held a dinner on the Saturday evening and after dinner there was live music which enabled the excess energy to be burnt off. Mojito (Gary Fry) did an excellent job together with his crew to get all boats dancing – to sea shanties!!

Sunday saw the Race Officer again head out to Christchurch Bay and summon the fleet. This time the wind stayed and the Race Officer amazingly managed to get the breeze to stay for two races, although he did need to relay marks during the second race.

The first race saw Jura (Kevin Moll), Jahmali (Mike & Sarah Wallis) and High Tension (Andrew Given) round the windward mark and spreader with a nice lead from the remainder of the fleet which was led by Johnny Blue II (Jeff Dakin/Bruce Jubb). The second beat saw many of the fleet caught out by the shifting wind and the final run at times saw the fleet becalmed. The first race was won by Jura, followed by Jahmali. Johnny Blue II managed to pass High Tension on the finish line to secure third place.

The second race of the day saw more consistent wind (for the majority of it) and the fleet was convincingly led from start to finish by Jahmali. There were many changes of places during the final downwind leg, which saw J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) gain the advantage over Zelda (Ben Richards/Michael Ewart-Smith), to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The Race Officer decided that there would be no more racing and the fleet returned to Yarmouth. Two races were enough to constitute a series and Jahmali were pronounced victorious.

J/109 - Leading positions

1st – Jahmali (Mike & Sarah Wallis)
2nd – Johnny Blue II ( Jeff Dakin/Bruce Jubb)
3rd= – Jura (Kevin Moll)
3rd= - High Tension (Andrew Given)
Maritimo M75Selden 2020 - FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Posted today at 4:12 pm
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!
Posted today at 3:00 pm
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water.
Posted today at 12:28 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run.
Posted today at 8:13 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul