Husband-Wife Teams Sweep Podium(Dartmouth, England)- Perhaps the J/109 Europeans could've been a formula for domestic tranquility. After all, since when did any class, of any kind, board, dinghy, keelboat, catamaran or log powered-by-palm-branch ever, ever have three couple teams (husband/ wife) all sweep the top three in a continental event? Can't think of one.
For starters, following on their earlier success in the 2011 J/109 UK Nationals in May, the J/DREAM team lead by David & Kirsty Apthorp simply proved yet again that a season of up and down results in events such as the Warsash Spring Series and Cowes Week only lead to better outcomes. Focusing on the J/109 Europeans was part of their overall program and their exemplary performance against formidable competition was especially sweet. The fact that Ben Ainslie, multiple Olympic Gold Medallist and ISAF World Sailor of the Year was aboard one of their competitors for a day didn't phase them one bit. In fact, if anything it galvanized the J-DREAM team to become the "dream team". The record speaks for itself- Dave and Kirsty's team managed to score a remarkable six 1sts and three 2nds on their way to winning the J/109 Europeans by 7.5 points.
Not
to be outdone by any stretch of the imagination was another former
National Champion VELVET ELVIS (Adam & Helen Wright) who are fresh
from their success at Cowes Week and twice National Champions. The
Wright's velvety smooth, sharp, very intelligent and fast sailors
managed to hang tough for most of the event but simply didn't have the
edge or speed to overcome the Apthorp's well-oiled machine. As it was,
the "ELVIS" got two 1sts and four 2nds on their way to a very
well-deserved second overall for 19.5 points.Yet another husband/ wife team led by Mike and Sarah Wallis sailed JAHMALI to one of their best regatta scores ever! Finishing third in this incredibly talented fleet is quite an achievement. And, scoring three 1sts and three 3rds on their way to a total score of 28 points is simply awesome! And, the coupe'd'grace? Mike and Sarah sailed with three husband/wife couples-- now that's domestic tranquility, or so we believe?
Of
special note were the fact that 2010 Euro Champion BLUEJAY (Greg
Burgess) who were keen to defend their title sailed especially well and
managed to garner a fourth overall-- perhaps next time he'll bring along
his significant "other" as good luck? Finally, on Friday with eyes on
the J/109 JET/ JP MORGAN with Britain's most successful Olympic sailor
aboard, Ben Ainslie, Ben simply proved that he could help even good club
racers-- taking a team that had been scoring in the bottom half of the
fleet and helping them sail into the top five on Friday with a score of
3-8-7! Pretty cool, eh? Well, Ben's a pretty cool guy to start with
and a talented sailor to boot. For more J/109 Europeans sailing information For more Ben Ainslie Sailing Team info Sailing Photo credits- Ginny Campbell
