Gorgeous J/122E For Sale in Scotland!

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This week we are featuring a gorgeous J/122E that is currently lying in Glasgow, Scotland. She is ready to hop aboard and enjoy a spectacular cruise of the northwestern archipelago off Scotland- thousands of islands and spectacular vistas. Then, sail her south to the Mediterranean for the winter in the Greek archipelago or a tour of the eastern Adriatic Sea! The perfect getaway offshore cruiser.

This J/122E is in brand new condition. She has a Carbon Mast, 7 North Sails, complete B&G H5000 Instrument system (autopilot, chart plotter), and a cold fridge.   Learn more about the J/122E here. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/109 Crowned Scottish Series Overall Champion!

(Tarbert, Scotland)- The Clyde Cruising Club Scottish Series 2019 saw three different days of weather on Loch Fyne, challenging sailors with light to heavy winds, sunny to rainy skies, and just about everything in between.  Winning IRC 2 Class and also declared Overall Winner of the Scottish Series was Andrew Craig’s J/109 CHIMAERA.

According to Craig, “this was my eighth Scottish Series. I am delighted to be part of the amazing winning team on our J/109 "Chimaera". We also got awarded "Boat Of the Week,” so we're thrilled. Thanks to Nevan Powell, John White, Eddie O' Rahelly, Brian Mathews, Nick Craig, Dave Cotter and Andrew Abbott for a great event. Well done everyone!”

In the IRC 2 Class, Jonathan Anderson’s J/122E EL GRAN SENOR took second place, while the Douglas family’s J/133 SPIRIT OF JACANA took 4th. Gordon Lawson’s J/122 MOONSTRUCK TOO rounded out the top five in 5th place.

The Makars Mash RC35 Class saw spirited racing in the biggest class in the event. Winning was the J/109 CHIMAERA, followed by Pat Kelly’s J/109 STORM in 3rd place and Brian & John Hall’s J/109 SOMETHING ELSE taking 4th position.

The IRC 3 Class saw Nicholas Marshall’s J/92 SATISFACTION grab the bronze medal, while Peter Doig’s J/92S JACK placed 5th.  Follow the Scottish Series on Facebook here  For more Clyde Cruising Club Scottish Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Scottish Islands Peaks Race Preview

(Oban, Scotland)- This adventure race is for teams of sailors and “fell” runners (both youth and adult) and is held annually around the most beautiful parts of the west coast of Scotland.

The race starts in Oban (northwest of Glasgow) with a short hill run, and then the teams sail to Salen on the Isle of Mull, about 20.0nm south. After a run over Ben More on Mull, back to the boats and a sail to Craighouse on the Isle of Jura, about 45.0nm further south. After running the Paps, back aboard for the longest sail to the Isle of Arran, about 82.0nm to the south, then east. The last run is around the Goat Fell, then a short sail east over to Troon, about 17.0nm. The race takes 3 to 4 days in total. The sailing part is about 165.0nm, the running part covers about 60.0 miles and 11,500 feet of climbing.

Each team consists of five (usually 2 runners and 3 sailors), and there is also an All-Rounders class for sailors that can run or runners that can sail, and a class for Youth (with the assistance of a few adults).

Background
The race has several objectives:

• one is to encourage sailors to appreciate fell running, for runners to appreciate sailing, and for both to enjoy what must be some of the best sailing and hill running in the world.
• another is to help to build the self-confidence of the youngsters sailing in the Youth Teams.
• Yet another is to raise funds for various good causes; but
• the main objective is to provide a challenging experience to sailors and runners who may be too busy to devote weeks to sailing the Atlantic or trekking in Tibet, but who still relish overcoming a challenge which is well beyond those normally encountered in our modern well-insulated lives.

The race is intended to be challenging and competitors need to be well prepared, fit and experienced to complete this course successfully. Senior Runners must be experienced in the hills and all carry specified survival gear. Yachts must have comprehensive safety gear including flares, VHF radio and engines (for emergency use and when the runners are off the boat). Oars and other muscle-powered devices are permitted for use in calms (e.g. think of the American version called the “Race to Alaska”).

Many teams return year after year for their annual battle against the elements over one of the most beautiful running and sailing courses in the world. Perhaps, part of its charm is that every year brings its own memorable scenes, whether it is getting ahead of your nearest rival by means of a ‘cunning plan’, racing neck and neck with another team under spinnaker, gliding quietly through the water as dawn breaks, or encountering numerous whales and dolphins. The mountains offer a wide variety of challenging terrain and the sailing is equally varied so that, coupled with un-rivaled views of mountains and sea, so that each year brings a totally unique team experience for everyone.

Although the race can be extremely competitive, for most people, it is not the thought of winning that brings them, but simply the pleasure of sailing and running in the company of a great crowd of like-minded people. We all love the hills and seas of the Scottish West Coast and the race is just an excuse for the annual jamboree when we can celebrate our good fortune at being able to experience this great adventure in these wonderful surroundings and in such good company.

The sole J/crew this year will be a Youth Team on the J/110 BLUE BIRD owned by Iain Loudon. The FETTES CHOCOLATES Company is their sponsor. The crew consists of Laurie Mill, Ben Rushton, Maggie Rait, Duncan Harrison, Ellie Marks, Fiona Rees, Louisa Letts, James Mackman, Hector Tomlyn, and Murray Wilson. They will collectively be taking on thirty-nine other teams in the event!  For more Scottish Islands Peaks Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Crews Love Scottish Series

J/109 Crowned Overall Champion
(Tarbert, Loch Fyne, Scotland)- Congratulations to David Kelly and the crew of the J/109 STORM that won the coveted overall Clyde Cruising Club's Scottish Series Trophy. Having won their class the previous year, to come back and do so again, is an outstanding achievement by STORM’s crew sailing their boat perfectly.

As well as the overall trophy, David Kelly walked away with the Rose Bowl Trophy for best boat in the Luddon IRC fleet and The McIver Salver Trophy (owned by the Mudhook Yacht Club).

In a very competitive Makars Mash RC35 Class, Kelly was pushed by fellow countrymen Brian and John Hall sailing their J/109 SOMETHING ELSE, finishing only 4 points STORM.

David Kelly was absolutely delighted with the crews' performance at this year's Scottish Series with the class and the overall win. "This is probably some of the best racing around. I've been coming here for the last twelve years and will be back again next year; we have been targeting this event for a while and are really chuffed to win it overall; this crew has done an amazing job."

Team STORM had one simple quote to sum up there Scottish Series victory, "we're not here to win, we're here to take over."

Scottish Series Event Chairman, David Denholm, commented, "The Clyde Cruising Club Scottish Series enjoyed some brilliant sailing in stunning Loch Fyne off Tarbert with superb Bank holiday weather. David Kelly's STORM crew are, without a doubt, worthy winners of CCC Scottish Series 2018 and the IRC Scottish Championship. The crew looked particularly pleased to have won a gallon of Bruichladdich whisky!”

The CAUSEWAY CUP- awarded to the boat from Scotland that has given the best performance of all boats in the IRC 1 Series- went to Alan, Bruce and James Douglas in their Irish-based J/133 SPIRIT OF JACANA.

Other J/crews also had outstanding performances. Winning IRC 3 with no scores worse than third was the J/92 SAMURAI J. Then, the J/24 AYESHA took third in IRC Class 4. A great series for J/Crews overall! Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/122 MOONSTRUCK Wins St Kilda Challenge!

(St Kilda, Scotland)- After 100nm and almost exactly 23 hours at sea, MOONSTRUCK TOO, Gordon Lawson’s J/122, took victory at the inaugural St Kilda Challenge- a race to the northernmost outposts of Scotland.

Organized by North Uist’s Comann Na Mara, the challenge brought together 27 yachts from all corners of the UK and beyond to a far nook of the Western Isles with a long-held and shared common goal – to reach the alluring, mysterious, rugged cliffs of St Kilda. One of the most beautiful regions in all of the United Kingdom.

St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago 64 kilometres (40nm) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.  The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom; three other islands (Dùn, Soay and Boreray) were also used for grazing and seabird hunting.

Back to the sailing story.  So, despite having been at sea for such a prolonged period, it was a nail-biting finish between Grant Kinsman’s Sigma 400 Thalia and Port Edgar Yacht Club’s MOONSTRUCK.

Thus, ensued several hours of nervous waiting for the final yachts to arrive and the much-anticipated results – and when they came, they were exceptionally close. In the end, MOONSTRUCK prevailed with a corrected time margin of five minutes and 50 seconds over her rival; an astonishingly tight result after such distance, and so many vagaries of tide, swell and fickle breeze.  It was a real testament to a very long night of grit and determination in some very difficult conditions.

In all of the hundreds and hundreds of hour of planning which had gone into this short 24 hour race, it had been expected that the yachts would probably have to dig deep to overcome some perilous seas and howling wind – so typical of even summer weather in this notoriously exposed and blasted outpost of the UK. There were strict guidelines in place about how much wind could actually thwart even a start. Inclement weather could have seen the flotilla shore-bound while the racers were set free to pit their wits against the elements. They could all have made the journey for nought.

What had not been expected was yachts peaking at a mere seven knots, struggling against a sometimes unpleasant swell, crews toiling from fatigue and occasional seasickness as windless conditions made fast progress near impossible.

“Sailing in conditions like that is much harder than racing hard in heavy weather,” said race officer John Readman. “It is very hard work to keep morale up and attention span lively when you are wallowing in the sea like that with barely a breath of air and no real sign of any to come.”

Of the 15 racing yachts that started, seven of them judged that discretion was the better part of valor and joined the cruising flotilla – allowing the luxury of switching on the engine. Of the cruisers, just a single one– Sea Fever– actually made the determined journey to St Kilda under sail.

And yet, despite a voyage which had clearly taken its toll and after a well-earned nap, there was universal praise ashore from the participants– both the racers and the cruisers.

In the flotilla, those unknown to one another have now enjoyed an experience which has turned them into friends. For all of them, getting ashore on Hirta – the main island of St Kilda, and the only one which was inhabited– was the stuff of dreams!!

Rachel Vejar and her husband Alvaro from Inverness joined Mick and Sally Ineson from Yorkshire on their boat Casares for the journey as part of the cruise in company. The two couples had never met before– Rachel and Alvaro were introduced to Mick and Sally the day before the challenge began. And were invited to join them.

“We tried sailing but there wasn't enough wind,” said Rachel. “The boat is a cruiser and without a spinnaker we were hardly getting anywhere.  As the main objective was to land on St Kilda we just motored there. We loved the journey, and like many people, going to St Kilda has always been a dream of mine.  It was great to just land on the island and have a walk round.”

Her story mirrors that of many others having experienced the grandeur of St Kilda and the pleasure of sailing in company.

Phrases like “a mission accomplished” and “a real sense of pleasure and achievement” pervaded across Lochmaddy’s packed marina. It was an epic in ways few had considered, but an epic adventure nonetheless!

Most regattas are run by yacht clubs or sailing organizations.  However, the St Kilda Challenge was run not only by sailors, but by a whole community. A community which had a vision many years ago and has worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition. The committee vessel was the local fishing boat “Harmony”. The “escort vessel” for the starting line was the Leverburgh Lifeboat.

The shoreside events explored the rich cultural heritage of the area and produced a festival to remember. Born and brought up on North Uist, internationally acclaimed Julie Fowlis was proud to return to her roots at the weekend giving a fabulous concert treat. There were plays and films, there was music and food. There were friendships renewed and new ones forged.

It was, plainly put, a simply smashing success!!  Next time, we want more of you J/SAILORS to join us!!

“We are exhausted but thrilled,” said Comann Na Mara chairman Gus MacAulay. “The intention is to make this a biennial event, so we will start planning for 2018 shortly.  In the meantime, though, we know that we have done a good job because the participants have told us so. After so long waiting for this to happen, just to hear that everyone enjoyed it has made it all worthwhile.  There was great camaraderie among the sailors and a tremendous buzz on North Uist. We simply could not have asked for more and I would like to thank all those who helped and collaborated to make it happen!”

The challenge brought the windswept St Kilda Island group into focus– helping to highlight the UK’s only dual World Heritage Site, recognized for both its natural and cultural significance, in what will be the 30th anniversary of it receiving its designation in 1986.

Sailing’s governing body RYA Scotland was involved with Clyde Cruising Club providing race management expertise, and CalMac  offering significant support as proud prime sponsor. Collaboration partners on the event advisory board also include Ocean Youth Trust, Sail Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, University of St Andrews, Scottish Natural Heritage, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Harris Tweed and Harris Distillery.

But, perhaps the greatest achievement of the St Kilda Challenge was that a small community in a extraordinarily remote area,  pulled together a dream so fascinating that the rest of the country (and a few more besides) wanted to join them!!  We LOVE our FRIENDS in St Kilda— back at you soon with more help and love from friends worldwide! :)

For more information about St Kilda and Scottish National Heritage sites, please contact Fiona Holland, PR Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne- +44-(0)7885-268775 or go to http://www.kilda.org.uk  On behalf of Comann Na Mara, the photos are courtesy of Island News and Rachel Vejar.  Further information about a major sponsor- CalMac- is available here- http://www.calmac.co.uk

J/70 U.K. Northerns Announcement

(Loch Fyne, Scotland, United Kingdom)- The J/70 UK Class Association is pleased to announce the inaugural J/70 UK Northern Championship.  The regatta will take place as part of the Silvers Marine Scottish Series 2015, Scotland's biggest sailing event.  Traditionally held in the stunning location of Loch Fyne, the regatta is hosted by the Clyde Cruising Club over the Spring Bank Holiday from Friday, the 22nd of May to Monday the 25th of May.

The rapid expansion of the J/70 fleet across the U.K. means that they’re expecting a substantial number of entries for what will undoubtedly be some hugely fun and competitive racing. Competitors are excited that the championships will span four days, with 12 races planned (weather permitting, of course!). The fleet are treating the event as essential practice for British teams hoping to compete at the 2015 Worlds Championships, taking place in La Rochelle, France this coming July.   For more J/70 Northerns sailing information

J/97s Sweep Scottish Series

(Tarbert, Scotland)- It was a fantastic weekend for the J97’s sailing in the beautiful waters of Loch Fyne off Tarbert, Scotland.  A gorgeous body of water located northwest of Glasgow tucked into a complex archipelago of fjord-like sounds and bays with lushly green hills surrounding the waters of the race course.

Over the 38 years of the Scottish Series there have been few prize-givings where the winners of the overall Scottish Series Trophy have composed a more deserving score-line.  With seven wins from as many starts on Loch Fyne, Grant Gordon and his team on the J/97 FEVER GLENFIDDICH not only won each race in IRC Class 3, but they sailed flawlessly to keep two past winners of the premier regatta’s top award behind them. FEVER, steered by owner Grant Gordon with Tarbert’s Ruairidh Scott as tactician, won their class by 12 points ahead of the identical J/97 JACKAROO sailed by Jim Dick's team which won the Scottish Series Trophy one year ago.

“As an advertisement for this event and for Scottish sailing I don’t think you could ask for more than we have had these past few days. It is has been brilliant,” said Gordon who was sailing at his third Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series.

An expatriate Scot who has raced internationally with his FEVER team, including winning the Swan 45 European Championships with Scott as tactician, Gordon sailed from the Royal Gourock YC as a youngster, and flew the flag of the Clyde Cruising Club on extended family cruises with their Van de Stadt 49 footer Cinderella. He keeps his boat on the south coast of England but raced at Tarbert with a crew which was 75% Scottish.

“This is a team of friends that I can rely on, some from university sailing days, some who we wanted to be here because we know they enjoy it, but we came to have fun and so winning here is great,” said Ruairidh Scott. “I am so fortunate to go sailing and racing in nice places around the world but it is really special to come back here and race, and winning here is even better. This regatta has been as good as I can remember. And, yes, we all joke about Loch Fyne from time to time, with spinnakers pointing at each other on the same tack, but the winds this time have been really good and the sunshine fantastic.”

The winning crew included Grant Gordon, the owner-driver, Ruairidh Scott, Mike Forster, Charlie Cumbley, Ben Fields, Scott Aikman, Angus Stevenson and Stewart Miller. “I am very proud of this team. It has been really magnificent. They have all worked hard and I am grateful for their contribution,” said Gordon.  Scott becomes one of the few sailors to have won the overall trophy three times in the skipper, helm or tactician roles.  Rounding out the J/97 sweep of the class, lying fourth was JAYWALKER.

In IRC 1, the J/133 SPIRIT OF JACANA crewed by the Douglas Family from Carrickfergus Sailing Club in Ireland sailed a nice series to finish third in class.  In IRC 2 were a pack of hungry J/109s that nearly pulled off the same trick their J/97 sisterships managed to accomplish.  Pat Kelley's J/109 STORM II from Howth YC in Ireland was third in class and Hall & McDonnell's J/109 SOMETHING ELSE from National YC in Ireland was fifth in class.   For more Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series sailing information

J/109 TORBELLINO Team Finishes 4th in Three-Peaks Race-

Sailing in the ‘Grandfather’ of all three peaks races, The Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race, and one of the oldest extreme multi-sport endurance races in the world, were three teams sailing J's-- the TORBELLINO TEAM sailing a J/109, the SATISFACTION TEAM sailing a J/92s and the MOBY J TEAM also sailing a J/92s.  This year there was a record entry in the 34th edition of the Three Peaks.

The race combines yachting, mountain running and cycling into one of the greatest adventure challenges in British sport. Teams consist of three sailors and two runners, who set sail from Barmouth on the Welsh coast to Fort William in Scotland, via Caernarfon and Whitehaven, racing to the summits of Snowdon (3560ft) Scafell Pike (3208ft) and Ben Nevis (4408ft) on the way.  In total, the race consists of 389 miles of difficult coastal sailing, 18 miles of cycling and 72 miles of running, with a total ascent of 14,000ft to the highest points in Wales, England and Scotland.  A great one for the "bucket list", eh??  Since 1977, a total of 500 teams have competed, amongst them some famous faces including renowned sailors Robin Knox Johnston, Bob Fisher and Skip Novak.

The J/92 SATISFACTION TEAM are made up of 3 brothers and 2 close friends.  As skipper Bill Tipper said, "This year more than ever we are out to complete the race - anything else is a bonus - we are not professionals we all have busy jobs and most of us live in the midlands as far from the sea as you can get! However we all share the love of adventure there is nothing that makes you feel more alive."
Skipper

The J/92 MOBY J TEAM skippered by Martin Pound from Southampton, England said he vowed to never do the race again, but "is now addicted"!  This year he brought a new team of runners/ bikers besides himself and sail-trimmer Steve Broom.  They added brothers Charles Brent (26) and Eduardo Brent (19) as the runners.  As the event is largely created to support charities, the running brothers sponsored "Fix The Fells" (http://www.fixthefells.co.uk) and the sailors are supporting "HELP For HEROES" (http://www.bmycharity.com/mobyjthreepeaksyachtracehelpforheroes), to return brave wounded British soldiers to a more normal life-- pretty cool charities to sponsor! Says Martin, "The lure of the only race in the world which combines so much, from offshore sailing to rowing, from difficult pilotage to road running, fell running and cycling, to utter exhaustion, just cannot be resisted.  Our thanks as ever goes to all those stalwarts, the 3 Peak organizers, back in Barmouth, who put so much effort and time into keeping it all running!"

The J/109 Team TORBELLINO are all from around Stratford-Upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England.  Simon, Natasha and Tim were joined this time by Richards Ludlow and Strauss. Said the skipper, "Ludlow is a thirteen year veteran of the race, fitter than a butcher’s dog and, in some lights, slightly better looking too". He also said that, "Strauss is new to the Three Peaks and despite his advancing years, a fine addition to the sailing team. If only he would stop his constant Twittering!"  Team Torbellino competes in the race to help young adults with special needs benefit from the opportunities that sailing can provide. Over the past two years TT has raised over £12,000 for the James Myatt Trust, a registered charity which funds sailing ventures for disadvantaged young people.  In May 2011 there were two sailing trips and now part of the curriculum for the school’s sixth formers for as long as funds last. As these young people prepare for as much independence as possible in their adult lives, the sailing adventures help them enormously with self-confidence and team-work-- fantastic program and life-experience for kids!

This year's race offered up an enormous variety of weather conditions, as it always seems to do when you have to compete for over 70 hours straight.  The race began at Barmouth on the mid-Wales coast last Saturday and sea conditions were treacherous with 20 foot waves (see photo at right!!) making it difficult for the race fleet to even leave the harbour-- epic conditions to say the least.  The 32 boats taking part faced strong headwinds, then light airs and periods of calm on the route around the Mulls of Galloway and Kintyre and up through the Inner Hebridean islands to reach Fort William, and the final summit, Ben Nevis. A unique feature of the race is that yachts can be rowed through periods of calm and the crews (including runners and bikers) take their turn at the oars when required to stay ahead of the challenge from other teams!!  Imagine that, a J/109 and J/92s equipped with carbon "sweeps" to  row fast in light airs!!

When the smoke and fog on the battlefields cleared, TEAM TORBELLINO came in a very happy and successful fourth place amongst some very strong teams from around the world!  They arrived in Corpach in a clear 4th place, docking at 13.46 to set their runners off up a cloud covered Ben Nevis, knowing they are under no pressure as their nearest challengers are still several hours away.

The runners are Richard Ludlow, a very regular competitor and a past King of the Mountains winner, and Natasha Scrivens, one of the few women competing this year. (There are only 10 in total, including two skippers.) When they set off the weather was chilly, with showers in the air, a strong breeze blowing and the top of the mountain was wreathed in heavy cloud-- just another normal day on Ben Nevis. The most common question asked in Fort William is; “Where is Ben Nevis?”

As is so often the case, windy conditions at Fort William do not mean the boats on their way have good sailing conditions, often it can be the opposite with boats becalmed among the islands in the Firth of Lorn and Loch Linnhe. The Torbellino crew said they had rowed for long periods, and hit a hole in the wind around the Isle of Lismore. However, they have sliding seats fitted which they said makes a huge difference and allowed them to make 1.5 knots rowing speed!

Rowing was critical in their break away from the group of boats leaving Whitehaven. “We had managed to pull away and open up a gap,” said Simon Newton, “but the tide was turning around the Mull of Kintyre and we could see them coming up behind us. Then we rowed for ages and just made it through the tide and they all fell away and we were clear.”

There were some reflections on ‘might have beens’ when the crew told me how their No.3 sail had split when being raised on the start line. “We were an hour behind at Caernarfon after that start and I wonder how we’d have done if we were up with the leaders there. They caught the tide out of the Swellies and into Whitehaven so that hour gap became an 8 hour gap at Whitehaven and a 20 hour gap by the finish.” Even so, the team were happy to finish 4th.

It has been one of those races where the leading boats built on early advantage and caught the tides and winds perfectly to open up such a lead. Those left trailing behind have had a frustrating time, often being pushed backwards by the tides, searching for wind, rowing for long hours, and making slow progress.

In the end, while the J/109 TEAM TORBELLINO was 4th, the J/92 MOBY J TEAM achieved an admirable 7th overall and the J/92 SATISFACTION TEAM ended up 11th out of 33 teams!!   For more Three Peaks Race sailing information.

  

J/97s Dominate Scottish Series

(Loch Fyne, Scotland)- Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series Scottish skipper-helm Hamish Mackay and a core crew, which between them have won the premier trophy nine times, lifted the Scottish Series Trophy after two final race wins. They sealed a conclusive overall victory in IRC Class 4 on Loch Fyne at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series.

After triumphing twice, back to back in 2001 and 2002, Mackay becomes only the second skipper or helm to win the overall top trophy three times in the 36 year history of the regatta.

Steering father and son duo Jim and Steve Dick's J/97 JACKAROO, Mackay and crew scored no worse than second and won four times over their six races which were sailed in predominantly strong winds over the four day series. They finished nine points clear of an identical J/97, JAYWALKER, owned and steered by Clyde helm Iain Laidlaw.

After a weekend of very testing strong winds today, Monday, Loch Fyne delivered crews a final reminder of how good conditions can be for the north of Britain's premier annual regatta.  Though there was still a chill in the air and the very early morning was punctuated by a heavy hail storm, the sun shone through both races which were completed and the moderate westerly breezes averaged 12 knots but varied from 7-18 knots up and down the three course areas set.

The JACKAROO crew, Mackay, Peter Cameron, George Purves, Billy Russell Jr, Jon Fitzgerald and Roddy Anderson, all native Scots, along with owner Dick, were pushed hard by their J/97 stablemate JAYWALKER in the overall decision for the 107 boat regatta's top trophy.    Sailing photo credits- Marc Turner   For more Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series sailing information.

  

J/97 JACKAROO Wins Kip Regatta

(Glasgow, Scotland)- The report from the northern parts of the UK are encouraging.  Seems that distant Scottish relatives of the Johnstone clan are doing well, despite not wearing their lucky "kilts" during their races offshore in the cool weather.  Nevertheless, J/97 UK Class Chair, Jim Dick and his crew on the J/97 JACKAROO just won their class and the overall prize at the Kip Regatta in Glasgow.  Jim was sailing with Pete Cameron who runs Key Yachting Scotland in Kip Marina. This was the warm-up event for the crew in advance of the much larger Bell Lawrie Scottish Series which takes place over the next Bank Holiday weekend.  Pete's report follows:

"Day one race one mixed bag of weather from the North West mostly moderate 10-16knots with occasional showers.  Bit of ping pong with an A31 ‘Imadginn’ beat us over finish line by 3 seconds but murdered him on corrected time giving us our first first. For race two still NW slightly less wind 8-12 knots.  Out of there like we stole something leg ahead by second beat when wind was sucked off the race course we were just in the new breeze at windward side of course nearing the weather mark rest off fleet becalmed and unable to round the previous lee-ward mark when committee got trigger happy and abandoned the race. (at least 20 minute lead on fleet at this stage would have been another bullet) but hey ho moral victory.  For the third race of the day, wind back up 14-16 knots, more wet stuff also still NW.  Good start achieved some separation race stayed that way till finish commanding lead first over water and solid first. Two out of two on race day one.

Day two race one weather 20-25 knots SW and raining on biblical proportions (proper Ark weather Noah could have competed for this one).  Good start from the Captain out to left of course from pin end first tack 10 boat lengths ahead of A31 and pulling out further every minute. The A31 then ducks out of the regatta. Held lead for rest of race over water and another solid first.  Just one more race for this day!  Last race SW 22-27 knots and I can’t use the language required to express the rain in front of a Lady like yourself--- even the fish had umbrellas!!

Had what we thought was a good start again to the side of the course fleet split and we pushed our bow out front on the left side fleet sadly the gain was to the right side of the course out in the wind and tide at weather mark a Sigma 38 ‘Enigma’ an Elan 333 ‘hoo haa’ and ‘Jaywalker’ were 10 boat lengths ahead of us picked off the Elan by bottom mark and closed the gap on Jaywalker and Sigma 38. Captain not so happy though on the next beat we pulled gap back to a matter of a boat length on Jaywalker just nailing him at the tack onto weather mark. Captain got the red mist now big a sail on last downwind plenty of double figure surfing a very neat dual with Sigma 38 and we took an overlap into bottom mark rounded first onto last beat and pulled our time out on the leg to the finish first over water and first on time.  For the prize giving, first in class and first overall discarding a first. All in all a good weekend at the coal face.  Regards- Peter"    For more J/97 sailboat information.

  

The Royal Wedding J/97 Sussex Regatta

(Shoreham, Sussex, England)- Wedding regatta? Not really. Royally fun? You bet. Prince William and Harry ever sail J's on the Solent? Absolutely!  Many times.  Nevertheless, the Sussex Regatta was held over the Bank Holiday weekend (the wedding one) at Shoreham, with all due respect to Prince William and Princess Katie.  It was a two and a half day affair starting on the Friday afternoon with two races which quickly indicated who was in the frame. It was Graham Allen’s J/97 JENERAL LEE and the venerable J/92 WHOSE TO NO (owned and skippered by Richard Sparrow) in the top slots. JENERAL LEE managed to bank two wins on the first day capitalizing nicely on the crew shortages on the J/92 and others (yes, that wedding problem again!)

The wind on the Saturday was starting to build with gusts over twenty knots from the north east, which meant flat seas and good racing. Robin Harris on Captain Fantastic warned the opposition that his cavalry had now arrived and so the battle was really on, and he was right! However, JENERAL LEE managed the win in Race 3 but was pushed hard by WHOSE TO NO in second place with Captain Fantastic close behind in third. Race 4 saw the charge of the ‘Eastbourne Brigade’ with WHOSE TO NO taking the win.  So now JENERAL LEE had to give his troops the rallying cry to take on the combined colonial armies of Ramsgate and Eastbourne! And what a great fight it was, nip and tuck all the way with the three boats finishing one second apart on corrected time. The JENERAL took the win from The Captain with WHOSE TO NO in third.

It was all too much for JENERAL LEE in the first race on the final day and Captain Fantastic put down his marker for the day by taking the win and still fighting hard against WHOSE TO NO in third.  The final race on the Sunday saw a further increase in the wind which was now gusting in the mid twenties with a more easterly flow kicking up some waves.  The JENERAL crew were keen to finish in a flourish but obviously the other two contenders were in no mood to let them. Captain Fantastic made a good start got to the windward mark first with the two Js snapping at his heels on the run, however JENERAL LEE's running kite blew out of its tapes in a gust and the J/92 took maximum advantage going through the gate just behind Captain Fantastic.

In the last downwind run of the regatta The JENERAL made up ground now using a heavy kite and managed to snatch second place after WHOSE TO NO's great run ended with a problem with his jib forcing him past the mark. Captain Fantastic took the final win by two minutes but it was not enough on the points tally leaving JENERAL LEE in first on 6 points with Captain Fantastic on 8 and third on 12 was WHOSE TO NO.  The final tally gave the overall IRC Class Cup to the J/97 JENERAL LEE.   For more J/97 Royal Wedding Sussex Regatta sailing news.