* 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.
