J Class Race at the St Barths Bucket Regatta 2013
by J Class Association 29 Mar 2013 12:58 GMT
28 March 2013
History was made on Thursday as five J Class yachts lined up for the J Class Race at St Barths Bucket 2013.
Under sunny skies and average of 8kts breeze, Event Director and Race Chairman Peter Craig set three laps of the 2.5nm W/L course with a spreader mark at the top to ensure safe separation and a leeward gate.
The start was delayed slightly as the pin end started to drag, proving it is difficult to lay marks in 40m whatever the wind strength. After a quick re-set, at 12.10 five Js crossed the start line, the first time five boats have lined up together in the Caribbean.
Ranger immediately went hard left, which paid off as she was first of the fleet to the windward mark.
On rounding, Ranger held the lead, followed by Hanuman and Velsheda on the way to the gate for the first time. It was nip and tuck all the way down and at the gate, the race team signalled a weather mark change to 2nm as the wind was now light.
Spectators crowded the course anticipating close racing. The sight of these magnificent yachts racing at full speed did not disappoint.
On the second beat Ranger again preferred the left hand side, which paid so well for them last time, while Rainbow went off to the right. Ranger crossed tacks in front of Hanuman with all yachts still very closely matched.
Coming down the run for the second time, all five J class yachts were very close. At the gate, Lionheart, flying a protest flag, had taken a four boat length lead, followed in order by Hanuman, who had a two boat length lead over Ranger, then Rainbow and Velsheda.
The first four chose the right hand mark with only Velsheda deciding to take a flyer and choosing the left hand mark. Lionheart and Ranger tacked onto port soon after the gate but Hanuman kept going on starboard into what looked like lighter air and wind well left. She eventually tacked and got a lifting breeze up the island shore – while the other four all choose to stay offshore.
To counter a windshift, the windward marks were moved for a third time onto a new bearing of 125 degrees from 120, but still 2nm range. Going round the weather mark the third time, Hanuman has a substantial lead followed by Lionheart, Rainbow, Ranger and Velsheda. It was all on for the last leg.
Helmsman of Hanuman, Ken Read said "I was really surprised how many lead changes there were during the race. It is going to be quite a 'dog fight' this week. We got the break we needed at the right time. We were trying to go left all day and finally got the lane we wanted".
At the finish, Hanuman crossed the line first at 14.21.59 to win the J Class Hundred Guinea Cup.
Lionheart, still flying a protest flag, finished second, and Rainbow took the third podium place. One second separated Ranger and Velsheda on the finish line.
Results:
1. Hanuman
2. Lionheart
3. Rainbow
4. Ranger
5. Velsheda
A tracker replay of Race 1 can be seen here.
More photography on the Official J Class Associationn Facebook page.