J/70 UK National Championships

On the first day of the UK Nationals, Paul Ward’s Eat Sleep J Repeat is top of the leaderboard without winning a race. Such was the ferocity of the racing in the 27-strong J/70 fleet that a 2-3 score was enough for pole position. Charles Thompson’s Brutus won the first race and placed fifth in Race 2 to finish the day in second place, just a point off the lead. Doug Struth’s DSP had a tremendous day at the races; the Corinthian team helmed by Tom Mallandine, scored a 4-2 to finish the day tied on points with Brutus, but third on countback. Martin Dent’s Jelvis recovered from a ninth in Race 1, to win the second and place fourth on countback from defending National Champion Nick Phillips’ Chaotic.

“There is a great standard right through this fleet,” commented Eat Sleep Repeat’s Elliott Willis, world class 470 sailor and Melges 32 World Champion. “Well done to DSP, I raced against Tom (Mallandine) way back in youth sailing. Tom is a talented sailor, but well done to the whole DSP crew, they were really impressive. Today, you had to get a good start, as without one it was really difficult to get back in it. With really shifty condition in the first race, decision making on board was crucial, especially timing of when to take the shift.”

DSP leads the 19-strong J/70 Corinthian Division. Jon Calascione & Marshall King’s Calypso is second and the Dickinson family racing Jellyfish is third. Both Calypso and Jellyfish scored consistently well to cement their position, scoring top ten results in both races.

“DSP was really quick today, it all seemed to come together really well, I just wish we had more races!” commented Doug Struth. “We came really close to winning the last race; the leader Jelvis, had sailed low on the last leg, while we stayed high, but fair play to Jelvis, they judged the downwind leg to perfection. We hope we can keep up the momentum tomorrow, it looks like there will be a bit more breeze, enough to keep us planing all day – I can’t wait!”

The Key Yachting Daily Prize Giving at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse was well attended with Key Yachting’s Wayne Palmer and Hannah Le Provost welcoming winners to the stage to receive a bevy of prizes from regatta sponsors. With complimentary cold beers from the RORC, and Key Yachting providing hot jacket potatoes and live music, the evening was very well attended!