* STOP PRESS!! New J/70 Wins Sportsboat Class on Day 6 at Cowes Week.
The first J/70 to arrive in the UK on Thursday (August 16th) sailed in
winds of up to 19 knots. The crew included Key Yachting staff and was
helmed by J/39 owner Jonty Layfield.
After a disappointing start on the squadron line, the J/70 began its
upwind beat at the back of the 18 strong fleet. Upwind speed was good,
we soon overhauled the 707s, J/80s, Beneteau 25 and some 1720s. Leg two
was a beam reach across the Solent and the first boat round did not set a
chute initially as the angle looked a bit shy. The second boat round
was a Bavaria B1 being sailed by a top J/80 crew. These guys and two
1720s set their spinnakers and we followed suit.
This was where the J/70 came into its own. Tearing away from its nearby
competition, the little sportsboat charged after the frontrunners who
had gained some distance in the first beat. The third leg was a run
which we sailed from beginning to end on a high octane plane,
interspersed with the odd wipe out before we learnt the best jibing
technique. We caught and passed the B1, planed through the lee of the
leading 1720, and found ourselves in second place on the water to the
higher rated Viper 640.
Another long beat to the Western Solent, allowed us to stretch our lead
on the B1. This was followed by a full foam up plane back to Cowes for
the finish. The final few hundred metres were incredibly tense as the
wind faded in the lee of the land. Upon taking our finishing gun, our
rough calculation told us that the Viper had won, but our second place
looked secure. We then received a very welcome phone call from a J/111
crew, to congratulate us on our victory! We were absolutely delighted
with the win, and thrilled by the speed of the J/70, in particular on
the high octane downwind legs.
The J/70 travels to Plymouth this August 18th-19th weekend for the next
leg of her debut tour! Come join us! Contact J/UK at info@j-uk.com.