J/24 Nationals at Parkstone Yacht Club Overall

Crew Clothing win the J/24 Nationals at Parkstone © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk

The team of Crew Clothing win the J/24 Nationals © Jon Richardson

43 teams contested the J/24 UK National Championships at Parkstone Yacht Club between the 18th and 21st September over an eight race series.

The first day saw a very patchy wind in Poole Bay with big shifts and gusts dominating the racing. Everyone was strangely line shy on the first start so the race went underway cleanly. Rob Libby's 'Jooler' was the earlier leader but was overhauled by Alistair Clarke helming Bob Turner's 'Headcase' and Mark Jardine helming Jim Griffiths' 'Crew Clothing' before the finish. Race two saw similar conditions but this time defending champion Stuart Jardine in 'Stouche' won with 'Crew Clothing' just behind.

The wind was a little stronger for Friday with three races in the day. 'Headcase' started strongly with two race wins but 'Crew Clothing' returned in the last race of the day with a win to stay just one point off the lead going into the weekend.

Saturday saw a number of general recalls and the black flag caught out several boats. Ian Braham's 'Flagship Flyer' made the most of the morning race to win and J/24 Class Chairman, Phil Owen in 'Zaphod' took his first ever nationals race victory in the afternoon race. 'Crew Clothing' now had a one point lead over 'Headcase' going into the final race. A great night was had by all at the championship dinner and dance. Parkstone Yacht Club pulled out all the stops to make it a hugely successful evening.

Sunday dawned with a sea fog hanging over Poole Harbour but the wind was filling in already from the Southwest. Everything was still to play for in the championship race with a straight battle between 'Headcase' and 'Crew Clothing' for the title and the rest of the top places still remarkably close. The fleet was very over-eager with four attempts needed to start the final race. 'Headcase' made better work of this start to take an early lead, but 'Crew Clothing' hooked into a good lift and with some excellent speed climbed the fleet to lead at the windward mark with 'Stouche' second. Positions stayed the same on the run and the committee shortened the course after the second beat as the wind showed signs of switching off completely. 'Crew Clothing' took the winners gun and the team of Mark Jardine, Craig Mitchell, Jim Griffiths, Mike Valentine & Cassie Richardson took the championship in the closest J/24 nationals in years. 'Headcase' finished second overall with 'Stouche' third.

In all there were five different race winners in the eight race series with nine different yacht clubs represented in the top ten showing the spread of J/24 sailing in the UK. 'Speedy Bean' won the Westerly division with 'HiJack' second and 16 year old Sam Pearson helming 'Legend' to third.

Many thanks to the members, committee and army of helpers from the Parkstone Yacht Club who made all of the visitors feel so welcome. Barry Tiernan & Jenny Pipe organised the event flawlessly and the race officer John Lacey and his team provided a full series of eight good races in testing conditions. The turnout of 43 boats was excellent and shows how strong the class is currently both in the UK and abroad. With the 2005 World Championships being hosted in Weymouth, 2004 should prove a great year as team try to qualify for the British team.

Many thanks also to the sponsors who include Ringwood Brewery, Christchurch Boat Shop, Barnes Ingram Insurance, High Range, John Pipe Ltd., Crew Clothing, J-Gear, Hyde Sails, North Sails, Osen Sails, Harken, Tacktick and Yachts & Yachting.

Overall Results: (8 races, 1 discard)