JOG Cowes to Cherbourg and back races
by J/109 UK Class Association 17 Apr 2009 10:01 BST
Double-handed J/109 victorious in JOG Cherbourg/Cowes
The Easter weekend saw the JOG fleet race to Cherbourg and back and many used the weekend as training for their Rolex Fastnet campaign, whether fully crewed or double-handed.
The Northface Connections Cowes/Cherbourg was the first outing for the J/109 Jangada Too (Richard Palmer) and rain and light wind accompanied them for most of their race to France. This was Richard’s first outing 2-handed with his Fastnet partner Jeremy Waitt and with the race to Cherbourg being mainly daylight it gave them an opportunity to test the new kit onboard in a real race – AIS (worked very well), SeaMe (doesn’t deter fisherman – one very close encounter) and Seatrack (a steep learning curve). Failure to trust the race navigation software and take advantage of the tides in Sandown Bay, coupled with hesitation to hoist the spinnaker saw the J/109 finish middle of the fleet.
After a good rest and an excellent social evening, the race back to Cowes for the J/109 was an altogether different affair. They placed their trust in Seatrack and the grib files, and hoisted the spinnaker as soon as the angles allowed in the 6-8 knot winds. The wind duly backed from North to West as predicted lifting Jangada Too in towards Ventor. Failing wind and foul tide at No Mans Land Fort left Jangada Too sitting and watching as several Class 3 boats slipped past. A final tacking dual with the fully crewed J/109 Just So (David McGough) saw Just So victorious on the water, with Jangada Too taking both the Class 4 and Double-Handed wins on handicap.