JOG Nautical Cloud Channel Race to St Peter Port
by JOG Yacht Racing 26 Aug 14:21 BST
22-23 August 2025
JOG Nautical Cloud Channel Race © John Green /
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The JOG Nautical Cloud Channel Race to St Peter Port delivered a classic late-summer challenge, with 32 yachts across three IRC classes, plus Double Handed and Generation JOG divisions, contesting the 95-mile course from Cowes to Guernsey. Variable breeze, strong spring tides, and a handful of tactical conundrums made for a fascinating race that kept positions in play until the very end.
In Class 2, Jetpack (Mark & Ella Brown, JPK 1010) sailed a determined race to secure the win ahead of close rivals Purple Mist and Arcsine. Speaking after the finish, skipper Mark Brown reflected:
"The race started with a down tide and a downwind leg - always a fun combination. We hit the line right on time off Gurnard, but a slight technical hitch with the kite meant Hot Pursuit rolled us for the best start. We were first to the forts, but everything was tight at that stage."
From there, the fleet split strategies, with Jetpack opting to tack inshore at Bembridge to escape the east-going tide. "It worked initially," Brown continued, "but we outstayed our welcome in Sandown Bay. Those who broke south early gained the advantage."
As the wind faded approaching Alderney, anchoring became a tactical weapon. Jetpack anchored in 77m of water to hold station, but the gains were marginal:
"It was one of those true JOG moments - anchored in the Channel, watching boats drift past and calculating when to get moving again. In the end, we rounded Casquets with the same group we'd been with four hours earlier."
The deciding move came in the Little Russell. "Purple Mist had been our nemesis for the last 12 hours," said Brown. "We saw a chance to ferry-glide inshore on the Guernsey side, just enough to sneak ahead at the finish. To cross in daylight with a bar open - that's a JOG finish at its best."
Line honours and the IRC Class 1 win went to Bellino (Rob Craigie, Sun Fast 3600), while Spectrum (Joe Simmons, Impala 28) dominated Class 3 and claimed the Generation JOG win.
Results:
Overall
1 Bellino - Rob Craigie, Sun Fast 3600 (Monohull Line Honours)
2 Spectrum - Joe Simmons, Impala 28
3 RORC Griffin - Alex Barone, Sun Fast 3600
IRC Class 1
1 Bellino - Rob Craigie, Sun Fast 3600
2 RORC Griffin - Alex Barone, Sun Fast 3600
3 Mzungu! - Tony White, JPK 1080
IRC Class 2
1 Jetpack - Mark Brown, JPK 1010
2 Purple Mist - Kate Cope, Sun Fast 3200
3 Arcsine - Kathy Claydon, Arcona 370
IRC Class 3
1 Spectrum - Joe Simmons, Impala 28
2 With Alacrity - Chris Choules, Sigma 38
3 Markova - Gavin Marriott, Swan 36
Double Handed
1 Purple Mist, KATE COPE, SUN FAST 3200
2 GameOn, IAN HODDLE, SUN FAST 3300
3 Arcsine, KATHY CLAYDON, Arcona 370
Generation JOG
1 Spectrum - Joe Simmons, Impala 28
1 RORC Griffin - Alex Barone, Sun Fast 3600
1 Jetpack - Mark Brown, JPK 1010
Next up: the final Offshore race of the 2025 season - TeamO Cherbourg race with RORC
Taking place on September 5th, this season finale promises another competitive turnout as the points series concludes. Check out the Sailing Instructions and enter the race here: [https://myjog.jog.org.uk/notice-board/d5ec9387-e2b5-445a-9cf9-b6ce97c8f3ea/Race].
With the offshore series nearly complete, attention will soon turn to the four remaining coastal races of the season: Stoneways Cowes to Poole and return race on the 13th and 14th September, and the Henri-Lloyd Cowes and Lymington weekend on 27 and 28th September. These last few inshore races will provide the final opportunities for crews to consolidate their season standings and end 2025 on a high.
Find out more at www.jog.org.uk