Wednesday, August 11, 2010

J/109 JEROBOAM Wins Cowes Week

J/109s sailing upwind at Cowes Race Week

J/122 JINJA 2nd IRC 2

(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Racing conditions for this year's Cowes Week could be described as challenging interspersed with "champagne sailing" for those sun gods and goddesses looking to enjoy the "southern climate" of England; enjoying all the Solent could possibly muster over the week long event.

At the end, the J/109s proved they're the class to beat.  With excellent one-design competition, it was clear it would not be a "cake walk" for the winners atop this class.  Nevertheless, the mid-week leader continued to sailing consistently to take first-- Rick Garret's JEROBOAM won with a convincing record of 1-3-1-2-1-2 for ten points to finish 13 points clear of second place finisher Adam and Helen Wright's VELVET ELVIS (7-4-2-3-6-1).  Third was Mike Smith's ZELDA with a 8-9-1-5-1-3 record, fourth was Matt Boyle's SHIVA and fifth was Glyn Locke and Gill Ross' JAMBHALA.

After a slow start, the RAF J/80 Team started firing their gatling guns (firing off a few rounds of bullets to dazzle their competitors!).  Simon Ling's RAF SPITFIRE crew sailed a very strong series to dominate their class with a 1-1-1-1-2-1 record for seven points, well clear of second place finisher Sebastian Ripard's AGAINSTMALARIA.COM (a family crew from Malta).  Third was John Cooper's OI! and falling off the pace a bit towards the end was early series leader, Thor Askeland's ELLE S'APPELLE, dropping to fifth.

The J/122s were quite successful racing both handicap and one-design class within IRC 2 Class.  On handicap, Ian Matthews' JINJA climbed into second overall for the series and Rodolphe Marchais' JOLLY JOKER hung onto their mid-week position of sixth overall.  In one-design class, JINJA, JOLLY JOKER were first and second, respectively, followed by David Richard's JOLLY in third, David Hunt's JACOB'S LADDER in fourth and Robin Myerscough's MINT JULEP  in fifth.

In IRC 5, J/97s seemingly dominated their class dueling it out with ex-J/39 owner Adam Gosling on YES!  The J/97s had taken mostly firsts, seconds and thirds. Grant Gordon's FEVER ultimately got second place with a fantastic tally of 1-1-2-2-2, just one point from first place!  Lying fourth was Jim Dick's JACKAROO with a 3-3-3-7-3 record, losing on a tie-breaker for third overall.

In conjunction with Cowes Week, the J/92s were running their J/92 Nationals.  The new class Champion is Steve Etheridge and Andrew Roberts' JUST IN TIME finish first with a solid 1-2-2 record.  Second was Andrew Dallas' HULLABALOO with a 4-3-1 tally and third was Mark Lloyd's JUNGLE FEVER with a 5-1-5 score.

Racing in IRC configuration, the J/92's sailed six races.  The winners were Dallas' HULLABALOO (4-3-1-5-3-1) followed in second by Greenhalgh and Bexon Taylor's J'RONIMO (3-6-3-4-1-9) and third was Pip Tyler's NEILSON REDEYE (7-4-4-1-4-9).   For more Cowes Week sailing information.