(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- John Van de Starre's J/111 X-CENTRIC RIPPER sailed a fantastic SPI Ouest France Regatta. Here's their report on what it was like to sail the J/111 one-design class in La Trinite sur Mer, France:
"Last month , our team, unexpectedly, got the fantastic opportunity
to start the season in La Trinite sur Mer. The Easter regatta, called “
Spi Ouest”, is an annual sailing regatta with international
participants. Here the first J/111 One design regatta in Europe would
take place and we were invited by the J-Europe factory to participate!
After the winter series, we made a great effort in a short period
to prepare the boat for La Trinite. There were 10 J/111 enlisted, coming
from France, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, the UK and Holland. Paul
Heys, the UK J-agent (last year 3rd in Cowes week) was there and so was
Didier le Moal, CEO of J/Boats Europe with a professional crew.
DAY 1- Good Friday was a splendid day with 25 kts of wind
from the NE and sun, so magnificent sailing conditions. This day, our
class was starting with the First 31.7 class on course B. Also the M34
and Grand Surprises with a field of 44 boats were on our course. Our
first start was good and we were first at the top mark.. Downwind we
were too precautious with our A5 asymmetrical, because we wanted to
spare the new 130 m2 A2 with 25 kts of wind. At once we were overrun by
the planing French boat helmed by Didier with its large spinnaker. After
the second upwind leg, we came 2nd at the upwind mark, it became
painfully clear how incredibly busy it can be at the top mark. We wanted
to round the mark after a starboard tack but surrounded by lots of
Grand Surprises, we were stuck in the pack. On top of that, one of them
hit us and its mast came between our forestay and our mast. No escape
possible with 25 kts of wind. Fortunately, with utmost physical efforts,
we could get free and continue the race without substantial damage and
no dismasting!
We had to turn a 720 degrees and became 5th in position. Finally,
we finished 3 rd but realized that we were very lucky to be able to
continue racing . Without a mast, the racing season would be over…….Race
2 was not really good, too precautious choosing the A5 and struggling
with flocks of other boats , we became 4th. Race 3 was a beautiful 15
miles coastal to round fixed cans. We had a good start and could take
charge after some sensible decisions. This resulted in a first place!!
Conclusion of the day: stay out of the crowd and hoist the large
spinnaker.
DAY 2- Looks again to be a top-day. We started with 10 kts
of wind, many wind shifts, and again a first place. However, in the 2nd
race, we were put back to earth. After a start over port, we could not
climb out of the field and were forced to continue too far. We could not
get the speed of the last race and with defensive tactics, we could
press out a 3 rd place.
With
new energy we started another coastal, but again not enough speed. We
were ending up at the back of the field………. What is the matter??? There
is only one possibility and that is that something is wrong under water.
Underway we saw some seaweed in the water, so maybe there is some stuck
at the keel, saildrive or rudder. During our daily drink on the mooring
pontoon, we could borrow a wetsuit, luckily for some of us a small one,
so Pascal our bowman was the only lucky one to fit in. As Pascal is a
brave man, he goes under the boat in the ice cold water and at the
rudder he found seaweed. We found the reason of our bad performance! Our
self-confidence was damaged a bit, but we started day 3 with full
enthusiasm. Race 1, less wind, 6 kts, looking out for pressure.
Especially downwind, the dices are thrown. Are you choosing depth and
less speed or more speed with less height. We kept on watching VMG and
gusts and tried to find the right mixture. Especially the French boat “
J-Lance” with Didier goes like hell and wins this race. We became 2nd.
Race 2 is like a one design race should be, 8 knots within 50 meters
from each other , changing positions all the time, great racing!! We
fought hard and ended 3 rd. Race 3 was top of the bill. Another first
place!!
DAY 4- Early start at 09.30 hrs. We sail race 1 with 20 kts
of wind. We have a safe 3 rd pace in general ranking with only 1 point
difference between # 2 “ J-Dream” and # 1 “ J-Lance” and us 4 points
behind the latter. With some luck, we could climb one or two places if
we were going to win two races. Unfortunately, after one race and a 3rd.
place, the committee decides to send us back to the marina. J-Lance
became the winner, with J-Dream second and Xcentric Ripper third.
Spi-Ouest, a splendid event. What an excellent racing weekend!! I
have to say that one design sailing in J-111 is great. It is very close
racing. Every tiny mistake is being punished straight away and winning
is really winning. A fine result and a very good team spirit and
atmosphere on board of our Xcentric Ripper!
Participating Spi-Ouest gave us the opportunity to work on our
tuning and boat handling and we became very confident in the new season,
starting with the Van Uden Reco races in 2 weeks!"