JIKA-JIKA and J-DREAM Bidding for Overall Title!
(Hamble, England)- With two more weekends to go in the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series most classes will be fighting it out all the way, but in the IRC3 and J/109 classes two boats are dominating. With another win on Sunday Mike and Jamie Holmes’ J/97 JIKA-JIKA looks set to clinch their points series, as does David and Kirsty Apthorp's J-DREAM in the J/109s. If this form can be maintained they should both be strong contenders for the "Garmin Yacht of the Series" award for the best overall performance of all Black Fleet classes!
12-18 knots of cold north to north-easterly breeze coupled with a strong west-going tide made it a challenging day for both competitors and the race committees. The Black Fleet courses were cascaded down tide across the entire width of the Solent from a start on the Ryde Middle, while inshore the White Group was set a full trapezoidal course with a separate finishing boat, to cycle the three races with minimum delays.
The White Fleet points battle resumed after last week’s abandoned racing, with a small but keen fleet of J/80s braving another cold day. The J/80s continued to have a competitive series. Through race 14, the leader continues to be OI! sailed by John Cooper with 16 points after winning two more races. Second is AQUA-J skippered by Patrick Liardet with 26 points after getting two 2nds. Just 4 points shy is Gordon Craigen's SWALLOW with 30 points. The Royal Air Force team on SPITFIRE are lying fourth with 58 points. Mike Lewis' JESTER is hanging in fifth with 78 points.
In race 10 of the J/109s, J-DREAM skippered by Kirsty and David Apthorp reaffirmed their leadership at the top of the standings with a convincing win. Second was OUTRAJEOUS sailed by Richard and Valerie Griffith and third was ARIA sailed by Luca Rubinelli. Overall, the Apthorp's J-DREAM continues to strengthen lead with just 9 points followed in 2nd by Dave McLeman's OFFBEAT with 24 points, 3rd is OUTRAJEOUS sailed by the Griffiths with 29 pts, 4th is ARIA led by Luca Rubinelli with 32 pts and 5th AUDAJIOUS skippered by David Jobson with 45 pts.
In IRC Class 3 the J/97 JIKA-JIKA sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes again crushed the competition and grabbed another victory over tough competition. Currently, the Holmes' J/97 has only 10 points for the series and leads by 12 points over the next closest boat. Hanging onto 4th place is Ed Holton's J/110 SHADES OF BLUE.
The series continues on November 28th with one race for the Black Fleet classes, while three races are scheduled for the sportsboats in the White Fleet. Report contributions from Jontey Sherwill. Full sailing details of the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series. Photo courtesy- Tim Wright- photoaction.com
(Hamble, England)- With two more weekends to go in the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series most classes will be fighting it out all the way, but in the IRC3 and J/109 classes two boats are dominating. With another win on Sunday Mike and Jamie Holmes’ J/97 JIKA-JIKA looks set to clinch their points series, as does David and Kirsty Apthorp's J-DREAM in the J/109s. If this form can be maintained they should both be strong contenders for the "Garmin Yacht of the Series" award for the best overall performance of all Black Fleet classes!
12-18 knots of cold north to north-easterly breeze coupled with a strong west-going tide made it a challenging day for both competitors and the race committees. The Black Fleet courses were cascaded down tide across the entire width of the Solent from a start on the Ryde Middle, while inshore the White Group was set a full trapezoidal course with a separate finishing boat, to cycle the three races with minimum delays.
The White Fleet points battle resumed after last week’s abandoned racing, with a small but keen fleet of J/80s braving another cold day. The J/80s continued to have a competitive series. Through race 14, the leader continues to be OI! sailed by John Cooper with 16 points after winning two more races. Second is AQUA-J skippered by Patrick Liardet with 26 points after getting two 2nds. Just 4 points shy is Gordon Craigen's SWALLOW with 30 points. The Royal Air Force team on SPITFIRE are lying fourth with 58 points. Mike Lewis' JESTER is hanging in fifth with 78 points.
In race 10 of the J/109s, J-DREAM skippered by Kirsty and David Apthorp reaffirmed their leadership at the top of the standings with a convincing win. Second was OUTRAJEOUS sailed by Richard and Valerie Griffith and third was ARIA sailed by Luca Rubinelli. Overall, the Apthorp's J-DREAM continues to strengthen lead with just 9 points followed in 2nd by Dave McLeman's OFFBEAT with 24 points, 3rd is OUTRAJEOUS sailed by the Griffiths with 29 pts, 4th is ARIA led by Luca Rubinelli with 32 pts and 5th AUDAJIOUS skippered by David Jobson with 45 pts.
In IRC Class 3 the J/97 JIKA-JIKA sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes again crushed the competition and grabbed another victory over tough competition. Currently, the Holmes' J/97 has only 10 points for the series and leads by 12 points over the next closest boat. Hanging onto 4th place is Ed Holton's J/110 SHADES OF BLUE.
The series continues on November 28th with one race for the Black Fleet classes, while three races are scheduled for the sportsboats in the White Fleet. Report contributions from Jontey Sherwill. Full sailing details of the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series. Photo courtesy- Tim Wright- photoaction.com