Dubarry J/24 Europeans at Parkstone Yacht Club - Overall

Action from the final day of the Dubarry J/24 Europeans at Parkstone © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk

Action from the final day of the Dubarry J/24 Europeans at Parkstone © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk

With Hedgehog and Serco Defence staying ashore having already won first and second places, the final day was the chance for a new boat to head the leader board.

The final day was grey and often wet, with several gusty showers, and a consistent SW force 3.

The first start was recalled as the over eager J fleet pushed at the line. This recall allowed those with jibs to change to genoas before the final start of the series.

Dark clouds in a line across Poole Bay to the harbour entrance indicated far stronger winds inshore, and Rotoman from Germany hooked into this wind band to lead the field from the start.

Shirley Robertson in Volvo started strongly further to port, and was the second boat at the windward mark behind Rotoman.

Nicholas Hirst in Team Gul was third, a position that would consolidate his third place overall in the series.

A run with stronger breeze on the right dictated a quick gybe, and meant that few positions could change.

At the end of an exciting weeks sailing, Gul was third, Madeline fourth and first local boat, and Peggy fifth.

After so many black flags on the first day, many boats that should have scored well did not end the regatta in a position that reflected their sailing. JSpot, Volvo and Hitchiker all had good race results but unrepresentative overall positions.

Update from Chris McLaughlin, Hedgehog:

Rain, drizzle and even a few hail stones. A grey end to a great championship.

Parkstone Yacht Club set up the final race of the Dubarry 2006 J24 European Championship with wind at 210 degrees and strength of around 12 mph.

After a general recall, the majority of the fleet, minus Ian Southworth and second placed Al Clarke who stayed home with their hangovers, set off to the port side of the course. The wind however didn’t want to go that way and it was Greig Wilcox and the German Rotoman team who hit the right hand side and new pressure. Shirley Robertson and crew, looking more settled in the J24 had won the pin end only to tack immediately and head right, chased by Falmouth boat, Team Gul.

In freshening wind the fleet headed down the run, surfing in a short wave pattern. Positions were unchanged throughout the race as the right hand bias continued. Rotoman extended its lead and Robertson broke clear of Team Gul to take an unchallengeable lead. Fourth place was taken by Jan Kaehler and the United Five crew from Germany, with John Powell in Peggy working through to fifth.

Special mention must be made of Brian Steptoe and the family crew on Johnny Bravo. They were the only crew on the second run to gybe immediately at the weather mark and take the portside of the run. Bravery was rewarded by a gain of seven places.

Particular mention goes to “Stir fry” and his bowman who reintroduced launching and dropping J24 spinnakers through the forehatch.

As Hedgehog crewman Chris McLaughlin commented “There’s a reason we gave that up a decade ago and it was nice to see the technique so wonderfully demonstrated. Perhaps next year they will bring back cotton spinnaker ties and white overalls!”

Overall Results: