Congratulations to David McGough and the Just So team following their win in Dartmouth, holding at bay Mike and Susie Yates’ Jago.
Following some heavy rain and high winds over the Bank Holiday weekend, the participants in the Royal Dart Regatta were blessed with four days of sunshine and light winds to enjoy racing in Start Bay. Only one race of the J-109 Class was cancelled due to lack of wind and a total of 7 races were completed.
There was not a large entry in the J-109 Class, but it was competitive racing, more competitive than the results would indicate with plenty of “snakes and ladders” fun. The courses were windward/leeward with a combination of sausages and triangles.
The race management provided by the Royal Dart Yacht Club was of the highest standard, as ever. On the outer course used by the J-109 fleet the PRO, Richard talked the fleets into the line with comments that reflected his dry sense of humour. On the last day, all but one of the J-109’s were OCS and we started the next race cautiously with the black flag flying. It’s good see the class maintaining its reputation for enthusiastic starts!
One J-109 (Jelenko) who raced in IRC as they did not have a J-109 Class set up or class sails, advised that they would, with the new rule changes be joining us next year, which is encouraging news regarding our decision to make the class rules more compatible with IRC.
With all the J-109’s rafted together, it provided the opportunity for owners and crews to get together and exchange some friendly banter. The royal Dart Yacht Club was as friendly and welcoming as ever.
Why not join in next year when the four days of racing is likely to be the 28th through 31st of August inclusive (just after the Bank Holiday).
Overall Results:
Report by David McGough, Just So.
Photos courtesy of Michael Green and PGC Photography
J/109 UK & Ireland Class Association 