J109s at the Warsash Spring Series - Day 4

J/109 One Design racing gets closer and closer, as Just So is victorious in Week 4 of the Warsash Spring Series.

The J/109 fleet continued to enjoy close racing during the fourth weekend of the Warsash Spring Series. Once again the wind was light (8-12 knots) although this week it was more settled in direction for most of the race and the sun shone – perfect!

This week the fleet was joined by a couple of charterers - Jonathan Calascione who is from an experienced JBoat family in Malta on Yeoman of Wight and Philip Pascall on Jazzy Jellyfish, and other regulars were back now that they have finished their ski holidays!

Designstar (Roger Phillips) and Shiva (Matt Boyle) had a great start and led the fleet across the plateau towards RORC. Meanwhile Jeez Louise (Jamie Arnell) and Jagerbomb (Paul Griffiths) had unknowingly pushed the line and failed to return, whilst Jet (Alan Neilson) who was closest to the Committee Boat returned to restart and play catch-up.

The windward mark with a spreader caught out some of the fleet as they managed to lay the first mark but then had to tack up to lay the spreader, South Bramble. Just So (David & Mary McGough) judged it perfectly and led the fleet whilst working hard to hold off Jagerbomb and Shiva. A poor sail choice by J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) saw them round RORC in 12th but by the spreader had moved into 6th place behind Outrajeous (Richard & Valerie Griffith) and Jahmali (Mike & Sarah Wallis).

A long run back towards Lee-on-Solent saw Jagerbomb gybe early which did not pay by the end of the run and saw them get swallowed up by the pack. Meanwhile Jynnan Tonnyx (Owain Franks), Designstar, Yeoman (Jonathan Calascione) and Me Julie (Dom Monkhouse) were in pursuit of the middle pack. A short second beat (by comparison)saw Me Julie (Dom Monkhouse) tussle with J2Eau (Steve & Jody Maine) and Offbeat (David McLeman) whilst Outrajeous moved into 3rd place in front of Shiva.

Another long run back to the shore saw J-Dream and Shiva held up by a 40.7, which slowed their progress to catch the leaders. On the penultimate beat, Jahmali moved into second place but was closely followed by Outrajeous and J-Dream. A long run saw these three boats round the leeward mark together, with exemplary rule observance. The final beat back to East Knoll saw J-Dream and Shiva both overtake Outrajeous to finish 18 seconds apart. J-Dream took 3rd place to Jamhali by 13 seconds.

Outrajeous finished 5th by 17 seconds and claimed this position from Yeoman by a further 7 seconds. Meanwhile further back in the pack, Jynnan Tonnyx got the upper hand over Offbeat to beat them by 16 seconds and J2EAU beat Me Julie by 11 seconds.

Day 4 Results:

1st Just So – David & Mary McGough
2nd Jahmali – Mike & Sarah Wallis (although Sarah was enjoying champagne in a ski resort!)
3rd J-Dream – David & Kirsty Apthorp