2016 Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Partnership with B&G - Day 2
by Louay Habib 11 Jun 2016 05:33 HKT
8-11 June 2016
With five one design classes and a mixed IRC division of asymmetric yachts of similar speed, getting a good start at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup is crucial. The racing amongst the 66 examples of the J Boat design is nothing short of thrilling and spectacular. A stronger gradient breeze, piping up to 16 knots, provided near planing conditions for the light weight flyers. Only two more races are scheduled for tomorrow's final day and favourites for the four UK National titles are emerging. The J/70 Class win looks likely to go to one of two teams and the IRC Class looks like having a Scottish champion.
Marco van Driel's Dutch team racing Sweeny will be racing with the top British J/111s including the current UK National Champion, Tony Mack's McFly. Last year's runner up, Martin Dent's JElvis is as strong as ever and Stuart Sawyer's Black Dog, the winner of a hotly contested Vice Admiral's Cup, is also in great form. Cornel Riklin's J/111 Jitterbug was second only on countback to Black Dog in this year's Vice Admiral's Cup and has been part of the J/111 fleet for several years.
J/111 UK National Championship
Stuart Sawyer's Black Dog still lead the class after six races but the Cornish team did not win any of today's three races. Marco van Driel's Dutch J/111 Sweeny scored a 4-1-5, to retain second just three points off the lead.Black Dog is the favourite to win the J/111 UK National Championship but Sweeny is snapping at their heels.
J/88 UK National Championship
Gavin Howe's Tigris has opened up a four point lead for the championship, scoring a 2-1-4 today but the results don't tell the full story. After being called back for a premature start in Race 5, Tigris played the shifts extremely well to come back to take the gun. David Apthorp's J Dream scored a 4-3-3 today to retain second place. Current J/88 UK National Champion, Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat, scored two bullets today to move up to third and Richard Cooper's Jongleur recovered from a poor Race 4 to post two second places to move up to fourth.
J/97 UK National Championship
Defending J/97 UK National Champion, Andy Howe's Blackjack II, scored three straight bullets today virtually assuring they retain the UK National Championship. Ole Bettum's Almara B III scored a 4-2-2 to give a cushion for second place. Richard Sparrow's Only Magic and Rachel and Robert Hunt's Jumblesail 2, have a real fight on for third. Both are tied on points but Only Magic is ahead on countback.
J/109 UK National Championship
Joe Henry's Jolly Jack Tar continued their winning ways, taking the gun in the first race of the day but Robert Styles Diamond Jem rolled up their sleeves and fought back to win the last two races, breaking the Navy team's winning streak. David Richard's Jumping Jellyfish scored a 2-3-2 today to move up to third place.
J/70 Class
A 1-2-1 score line from Calascione & Ripard's Harlequin in the 20 strong J/70 fleet, puts the team three points ahead of the class with two more races scheduled for the regatta. Team RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire, skippered by Simon Ling, started the day well to match the class leaders with a 2-1 but a fifth in the final race of the day has left the team with it all to do tomorrow. Charlie Esse's Baby J is winning the battle for third, scoring a 4-4-3 today to open up a big gap on the chasing pack.
IRC Class
Craig Latimer's all Scottish team scored a 1-2-1 today to take a up a dominant position in the class but the score board could have been very different. Didier Le Moal's J/112, J Lance was leading the first race of the day but made a navigational error to drop back to 10th for the race. The team bounced back with a win in the next race and was four seconds off winning the last. J Lance did enough to regain second place, just 1.5 points ahead of Robin Stephenson's J/92S Upstart.
"We only started racing the J/92 last season and it has been great to come down to the Royal Southern and race against other J/92s." commented Craig Latimer. "We don't really get the chance to race boats that are similar in Scotland, so coming here really let's us know where we are. The results don't really show what is happening as whilst we have been winning a few races, it has been extremely close on the water. I must say, we have had a really warm welcome at the regatta, and Wildebeest will be competing at a few others whilst we are based in Hamble."
After racing, the North Sails U Service team delivered a video racing debrief. Led by Frank Gerber with in put from North Sails keel boat expert Dave Lenz and multiple sportsboat world champion, Ruairidh Scott. The debrief used areal drone footage supplied by Ollie Mellor and the two professional sailors delivered a master class of expert advice focusing on starts and boat positioning. The Royal Southern Regatta Marquee was a hive of activity with hundreds of sailors enjoying a pint or two and regatta supper. The J-Cup daily was very well attended with prizes donated by regatta sponsors. Racing at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup concludes tomorrow, Saturday 11 June with two races scheduled for all classes. Tickets are still available for Saturday nights gala prizegiving dinner, where a 7 piece band "Groove Instinct" will rock de house!
For social media updates for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup: www.facebook.com/TheJCup and www.twitter.com/jukracing
For full provisional results, pictures and more visit www.j-cup.co.uk