Paul Ward’s Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat was awarded the 2019 J-Cup for their impressive performance, the first time a J/70 team has won the prestigious trophy. A very surprised Paul Ward was quick to thank his team and Paul Heys at the Prize Giving. “I am shocked, this is totally unexpected!” commented Paul. “A big thank you to Paul Heys, all of us here wish he was still around, and like many many of us, he has helped me enormously with my sailing. A big thank you to the Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat team, Charlie (Cumbley), Ruairidh (Scott), and Mario (Trindade).”
Results J/70 UK Class Training Event
All nine races were completed over three days of thrilling racing for 16 teams. Race Officer Stuart Childerley organised practice starts and courses, organised to work on boat handling and large fleet scenarios. North Sails delivered a video debrief, a master class on heavy airs trimming and boat handling from: Dave Lenz, Ruairidh Scott, and Charlie Cumbley. Conditions ranged from moderate to fresh-and-frightening. Mother Nature saved her best until last with 25 knots of breeze in clear blue skies for the last race of a fantastic regatta.
In the 16-strong J/70 Class, Paul Ward’s Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat scored seven bullets out of nine races to win the class from Charles Thompson’s Brutus. Clive Bush’s Darcey was pushed hard by Graham Clapp’s Jeepster for the podium, with Jeepster winning the last two contests. However, Darcey was third by a single point after nine race.
Martin Dent, J/70 and J/111 Jelvis, after the memorial to Paul Heys. “It was fantastic when we came in and congregated, I looked at the other boats and teams were standing in rows on deck to attention. It was very moving. We got to our feet as well in honour of an absolute legend. I am glad that we are fund raising to put a mark in to celebrate Paul. I hope the mark will be a place of much carnage….. if ever we are doing a mark rounding there, we will leave the drop late, rodeo drop, and possibly fling it in with borderline rights in honour of the greatest rogue. Paul Heys has made more impact on sailing than any other single person, and is responsible for so many Solent sailors, including my family and team Jelvis. I miss him.”
Paul Heys has made more impact on sailing than any other single person, and is responsible for so many Solent sailors, including my family and team Jelvis. I miss him.” Martin Dent.
Over £25,000 has already been raised, covering the cost and maintenance of the Paul Heys Memorial Buoy for ten years. The target of £34,000, will ensure that the buoy will be raced around by Paul Hey’s grandchildren and those of the J-Boat family. To make a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paulheys
You must be logged in to post a comment.