DF95 Spring Series at East Kent Radio Sailing Club - Week 5
by Peter Jackson 2 May 07:29 BST
17 April 2026
DF95 Spring Series at Barton's Point week 5 © Mike Brand
14 DF95's signed up for the 5th East Kent RSC Spring Series event, sailed in 15-17 knots but in flat water under warm sunny blue skies. 11 came to the line for 12 races with C rigs the order of the day. The one trial of a B rig bringing control problems and nose dives. Rob Maunder returned on crutches as starter and race officer. Alan Hounsell was course setter and rescue boatman, also racing.
Mike Brand, back from a break, won race 1 from Dave Adams and Rob Owens, but that was to be Mikes only win. Peter Jackson led race 2 but hit the last mark to let Dave through for his first win, with Peter 2nd and Alan Hounsell 3rd, Alans only visit to the podium. Dave then found the sweet zone with his C rig settings and opened up a good lead in every race to sweep the board with 11 wins, so discarding his race two 1st.
Peter suffered rudder problems after a 2nd & 3rd leaving the race behind Dave to Mike Brand and Jim LaRoche, who sharing most 2nd places. Mike proved most consistent taking five 2nds and a 3rd to Jim's three 2nds & three 3rds to complete the podium. Colin Honour and Rob Owens fought out a tight battle for 4th spot, each scoring a 2nd but after Peter and Rob tangled in the last race, Colin with three 3rds against Rob's two, took it on countback as they ended on equal point, 11 ahead of Alan.
Simon Thornton had a nightmare day in his own words, not reaching the podium, but only 3 points behind Alan, and still beating Peter who got three podiums after another 3rd but had to count two retirements. Andrew Nicholls found a good set-up to go fast upwind beating arch rival Spencer Pope and ending up equalling Peter on points but correcting behind on countback.
Dave is now the 3rd Spring Series event winner after Peter and Adrian (3), keeping the series open with seven events still to go.
Week 5 Results: (top ten)
1. 65 Dave Adams
2. 10 Mike Brand
3. 57 Jim LaRoche
4. 48 Colin Honour
5. 470 Robert Owens
6. 380 Alan Hounsell
7. 665 Simon Thornton
8. 211 Peter Jackson
9. 613 Andrew Nicholls
10. 32 Spencer Pope
Full daily results can be found here.