(Cornwall, England- A strong turnout of twenty-two J/24s showed up the the classic Autumn Cup Championship in Falmouth, doubling as the J/24 UK Nationals 2010. A few class stalwarts attended, including long-time class champion Stu Jardine racing the latest incarnation of STOUCHE.
The Royal Cornwall YC were wonderful hosts, ensuring the sailors had plenty of food, drink and racing, though not necessarily in that order! The RCYC PRO conducted an fantastic series, getting in ten races over three days of racing off the gorgeous, undulating green coastline of Cornwall. Good breeze, reasonable seas made for good close racing.
Nevertheless, it was G Watson's team on RELOADED that showed top UK 24 sailors how it's done, starting off the first day with three straight bullets and picking up two more on the second day to lead the regatta by a comfortable margin. In fact, RELOADED didn't sail the last race on Saturday as they'd won the regatta by race 9.
Not to be denied from a strong podium showing was Stu Jardine sailing STOUCHE, himself a multiple J/24 UK Champion. After sailing a solid series in races 1 thru 7 and leading the regatta, Stu and crew took an unfortunate nose-dive in race 8 (getting a 16th) and after a 5th in race 9 couldn't recover enough to win the event, finishing second just three points shy of first. Third was Roger Morris sailing the well-known JOLLY ROGER. Fourth, Duncan McCarthy on MADELINE and fifth Nick McDonald on LEAGEL ALIEN. For more J/24 UK Nationals sailing information
