JOG mid-season update and report on Universal Safety Alderney Race

Half-way point through the season when traditionally JOG go to Alderney and this year's race with four classes starting from 19:30 on Friday 12th June was sponsored by Universal Safety.

With the forecast looking 'bracing on the nose' all week, crews were relieved as Friday's forecast eased a little but the inevitable rain and wind reduced the entry and resulted in some non-starters. However 21 boats were away from JOG's Cowes line as the driving rain came in for the beat down the Solent to the Needles in a fairly gentle breeze which strengthened towards dusk.

After the Needles sail was reduced on most boats with apparent wind in the mid to high twenties and a sea that was bigger than the wind and a neap tide should have suggested. Tactics were basically stay high and keep the boat moving through the waves to avoid being too far east on the approach to Alderney - the sun came out after a short night and the wind was a pleasant breeze again for the final stages.

Night Owl 2 was the first finisher at 07:13 with the whole fleet in by midday. Powerful windward performers were rewarded with the trophies and crews soon forgot the night-time discomforts at the drinks do on Saturday evening – many thanks to Alderney SC and the race sponsors.

Reflecting on the season so far, JOG crews have already covered a good deal of mileage on the inshore and offshore programmes with races varying from the windy dash round the Nab Tower to a very pleasant trip to the popular new destination of Dielette sponsored by North Sails over the late May bank holiday.

The JOG formula of a varied programme and sociable destinations – usually with a sponsored drinks do – is proving as popular as ever and lots of trophies are still to be won with overall class results finely balanced at this stage. New yachts and crews always welcome - entry fees are remarkably low especially for smaller boats!

Alderney Results - Class 3:

1st Night Owl 2, Mat 12, Julie Fawcett & Ed Hall
2nd Old Mother Gun, Humphries, Phil & Heather Farrands
3rd Assassin, Prima 38, Mark Brown & Justin Leese

Alderney Results - Class 4:

1st Just So, J 109, David & Will McGough
2nd Pincer Movement, JPK 1010, Richard & Lucy Searle
3rd Arcsine, Arcona 370, Kathy Claydon

Alderney Results - Class 5:

1st Xara, Swan 38 SR, Jonathan & Anne Rolls
2nd Longue Pierre, Dehler 38, David Cooper & Paul England
3rd X-Tosea, X 332, David Hunt

Alderney Results - Class 6:

1st Moondog, Laser 28, Peter Pickett
2nd Raffles, Elan 295, Peter Cover & Matt Stiles
3rd Blazer, Laser 28, Colin Woodruff

Alderney Results - Double-Handed:

1st Pincer Movement, JPK 1010, Richard & Lucy Searle
2nd Kindred Spirit, Sigma 38, Rob Lee
3rd Amigos, Dehler 34, George Gerwitz

Next Offshore race: Cowes – St Malo in conjunction with RORC Friday 10th July.
Next Inshore race: Eastern Approaches Saturday 20th June.

See the JOG website at www.jog.org.uk Entry Forms, full race programme & crew available/boats looking for crew information all available online.

Please contact if you have any questions about the route into racing with JOG.