News

October 3, 2006

Parkstone Yacht Club set up the final race of the Dubarry 2006 J24 European Championship with wind at 210 degrees and strength of around 12 mph.

After a general recall, the majority of the fleet, minus Ian Southworth and second placed Al Clarke who stayed home with their hangovers, set off to the port side of the course. The wind however didn’t want to go that way and it was Greig Wilcox and the German Rotoman team who hit the right hand side and new pressure. Shirley
Robertson and crew, looking more settled in the J24 had won the pin end only to tack immediately and head right, chased by Falmouth boat, Team Gul.

In freshening wind the fleet headed down the run, surfing in a short wave pattern. Positions were unchanged throughout the race as the right hand bias continued. Rotoman extended its lead and Robertson broke clear of Team Gul to take an unchallengeable lead. Fourth place was taken by Jan Kaehler and the United Five crew from Germany, with John Powell in Peggy working through to fifth.

Special mention must be made of Brian Steptoe and the family crew on Johnny Bravo. They were the only crew on the second run to gybe immediately at the weather mark and take the portside of the run. Bravery was rewarded by a gain of seven places.

Particular mention goes to “Stir fry” and his bowman who reintroduced launching and dropping J24 spinnakers through the forehatch.

As Hedgehog crewman Chris McLaughlin commented “There’s a reason we gave that up a decade ago and it was nice to see the technique so wonderfully demonstrated. Perhaps next year they will bring back cotton spinnaker ties and white overalls!”

Overall top ten:
1. Hedgehog, Ian Southworth, GBR, 14.3 points
2. Serco Defence, Alistair Clark, GBR, 53
3. Team Gul, Nicholas Hirst, GBR, 80
4. Madeleine, Duncan McCarthy, GBR, 94
5. Peggy, Jon Powell, GBR, 101
6. Stouche, Stuart Jardine, GBR, 105
7. Rotoman, Greig Wilcox, GER, 117
8. J/Spot, Ivo Kok, NED, 128
9. United 5, Jan Kaehler, GER, 140
10. Volvo, Shirley Robertson, GBR, 144