Royal Air Force Yacht Club

The J/109 Western Solent Championships took place over the weekend of 8/9 May 2010.  This year the event was run by Royal Lymington Yacht Club in Christchurch Bay.  Saturday was cold and the wind was light and shifty.  With short breaks between races, the PRO got all four scheduled races in.  J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) led the first race only to get the second beat wrong and to finish third to Velvet Elvis (Adam Wright) and Jambhala (Gill Ross/Richard Sainsbury).   The second race of the day was won by Jambhala who led the fleet from the start, whilst Velvet Elvis, Jahmali (Mike & Sarah Wallis) and J-Dream tussled for 2^ndto 4^th.  Velvet Elvis won the last two races of the day to give them the overnight lead from Jambhala, who was on equal points with J-Dream .

On Saturday evening the Club held an excellent dinner and the band played two or three encores!  Sunday morning saw a few sore heads and 12-16 knots.  Again it was important to play the shifts and J-Dream regained her winning form to win all three races.  In the first race on Sunday Jibe! (Robin Taunt) finished second.  Afterwards Robin said, “We have really enjoyed our first one-design regatta.  It is close and competitive.”   Jibe! Finished third in the second race of the day to Velvet Elvis.

Despite the clean sweep on Sunday by J-Dream it was not enough to beat Velvet Elvis who sailed consistently all weekend and are deserving winners of the J/109 Western Solent Championships 2010.

Article David and Kirsty Apthorp J/109 Class Association