(Suffolk, England)- Nigel Theadom reports from way, way East on the British Isles: "The weekend of the 4th and 5th of July saw the first ever get-together of the growing East Coast J/80 fleet and competitors travelled from as far afield as Kent and Cambridge to race at the inaugural J/80 East Coast Championship. The event was run under the auspices of the well established Felixstowe Regatta and was sponsored by Haven Gateway, Adams Brewery and Musto. Run out of the beautifully situated Suffolk Yacht Harbour all visitors received a friendly welcome and full shore service, including 'instant' crane-age on arrival.
Saturday dawned hot with some cloud that eventually cleared the way for a bright sunny day. However, with the gradient breeze and the sea breeze in opposition it made for a difficult day for both PRO Ewen Stampe and also the competitors with some big shifts and holes to watch out for on the race course. However, by the fifth race on Sunday, the breeze piped upwards of 20 knots, making for a strong finale with the regatta leaders dueling for the top four spots.
With the wind at a steady 20 knots and gusting more, it was DOUBLE JEOPARDY's race from start to finish. With the tide pushing the fleet up to the committee boat and a starboard line bias it was amazing that the fleet started cleanly. Certainly more than one crew had a longer look down the tailpipes of the 50' Sunseeker committee boat than would have been comfortable! The West Mersea boys clearly revel in the heavy stuff and SURF N TURF crossed the line in second. Simon Jacklin and his team on STRUMPET pushed WHITE LIGHTNING hard for the third spot and eventually pipped them on the line.
At the close of the regatta there were just six points separating the top four boats. A close championship and a great weekend. It was also a mighty fine start to a fixture that will surely grow as the East Coast fleet grows. We wait to see whether the softies on the South Coast will rise to the challenge in 2011!
Amazingly, WHITE LIGHTNING, SURF N TURF, and STRUMPET all sailed the 20 miles back to West Mersea straight into 30 knots of breeze! They breed them tough on the East Coast!!" For more J/80 UK sailing information
