(Sydney, Australia)-This past Wednesday the two J/100s that have been
enjoying the spectacular sights and vistas day sailing around Sydney
Harbour had an opportunity to sail against one another over a friendly
wager of a pint of beer-- aahhh, in the grand tradition of Harold
Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan, the famous America's Cup iconoclasts!
Here's their report from Down Under."After meeting recently and sailing a few informal blasts up and down Sydney Harbour, the 2 J/100s, JOHN JERVIS (Ralph Hillman) and SOPHIE X (Tom Havas) decided it was time to try their hands at racing. They both joined as casual entries into the Greenwich Flying Squadron Wednesday twilight race. Renowned for its high turnout of boats, up to 65 starters in 5 divisions, tight navigable sailing area and shifty winds it was all going to be a challenge. Neither Tom or Ralph were familiar with the area or the courses.
In a fading 7-12 knot breeze which was shifting from the nor’east to the east and back again the 2 J/100s set about the task in hand with eager zest. Soon after the start JOHN JERVIS took the lead of green division with SOPHIE X close behind, it became very clear this was already a J/100 match race. Reaching to the first mark, Cockatoo Island both crews were getting to grips with the constant wind shifts and tidal vagaries of sailing around small islands on what is called by locals "the Dark Side" (west of Sydney Harbour bridge). The J/100s were neck and neck with JOHN JERVIS taking the first point of the island just a little too wide. Too late! SOPHIE X was in the gap and took a slim lead.
Continuing west and leaving Cockatoo & Snapper islands to starboard approaching the next mark called Spectacle Island, JOHN JERVIS picked a beautiful wind pattern and surged to leeward of SOPHIE X gibing around Spectacle first. By this time the remainder of green division were nearly 200 metres behind. After Spectacle the 2 J/100s settled into the beat towards Sydney Harbour bridge and the next mark – Goat Island to starboard. With the outgoing tide it was important to track in the centre of the channel and play the wind shifts. Both boats were equally matched with standard non-overlapping jibs and easing away from the rest of the green division boats. Then an overzealous tack on particularly big knock by JOHN JERVIS cost them a boat length and SOPHIE X was in the lead again. Around Goat Island and running /reaching back towards to the club for the finish the tight race continued, trying avoid wind holes and vying for any advantage. With whispers of pressure filling in from behind it allowed some of green division to make up a little distance.
However the damage was done, SOPHIE X crossed the line 5 seconds ahead of JOHN JERVIS in a nail biting finish. The two Sydney based J/100s with novice crews had made their mark. The remainder of the division finishing between 1.5 and 12 minutes behind. During the prize giving ceremony the two visitors were complimented on their domination of green division, and joked that consideration may be given to put these two giant slayers with the 40-plus footers next time. Comments from the crews were- 'That was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed it-- why would anyone buy anything but a J/100! The boat is so stable and easy to sail, we never expected to be so quick against all the other boats. Can’t wait to do it again.'" Thanks for the contribution from Ray and Sandra Entwistle, Tom Havas and Ralph Hillman.
