J/70 UK National Championship at the Royal Southern Yacht Club - Day 2

With no wind in the Solent on Day Two of the J/70 UK National Championship, racing was abandoned for the day at 1300 BST. Simon Cavey, J/70 UK Class Captain, talks about the J/70 Class, which now has over 50 boats in the UK.

Simon has been Class Captain for the J/70 UK class for three years and bought the fifth UK boat, Just4play, and has watched the class grow over the last few years. As with all one design classes, achieving a critical number of boats gives the class traction, getting the numbers over the first 'hump' is the key to growing the class.

"I think the first hump was 20 boats. We now have over 50 J/70s in the UK and I believe that this is the second big hump and we are going to kick on from here. Next year's National Championship will be huge; the class is really thriving.

"The ball is definitely rolling and we have top guys who want to race J/70s, which is great. Racing against top professionals and young aspiring Olympic sailors is thrilling. The top sailors are coming into the class because the boat is fantastic. I love sailing the boat and the racing is so close.

"Yesterday, from our perspective, you make one small mistake and ten boats go past you and people like that; you have to be on your toes. Sailors like to race in fleets where how they perform makes the difference. My responsibility as Class captain is to build fleet racing, which includes a UK National Championship, a Scottish Championship and we have even talked about organising an Inland Championship.

"The J/70 just loves the breeze and once they pick up, they are thrilling to sail on the plane." Simon Cavey, J/70 UK Class Captain during the J/70 UK Nationals - photo © J/UK / Tim Wright

"The class is very much encouraging clubs to get involved, something we very much welcome. The Royal Southern have been tremendous hosts for the National Championship and a very fitting venue. The J/70 Class committee are all owners and we talk about where we want to go and want we want to achieve, including running a good social side. The facilities at the Royal Southern are perfect for that; there is plenty of chat in the mornings with all the boats moored together and there is a great atmosphere after racing as well as in the bar afterwards.

"Unfortunately there was no wind today but the Race Committee did a brilliant job yesterday; getting in four races, without a break of more than ten minutes; an outstanding performance. I am staying at the club and I can see my boat on the dock when I get up in the morning. Hopefully tomorrow the weather will play ball."

Racing continues tomorrow with the last day of the J/70 UK National Championship. Ian Atkins' Boats.com leads the 30 boat fleet. Will Goldsmith's Gill Race Team is second and Charlie Esse racing Baby J is third. Regular blogs, including video action, will be posted on www.facebook.com/RoyalSouthernYC

For full results from the J/70 UK National Championship visit www.royal-southern.co.uk