Excitement was building all week – every J24 in racing condition was going to be on the start line – all 16 boats. This was going to be the biggest one-design start for keelboats in Bermuda! We had guest appearences from John Powell, Paula Lewin, and Tim Lynch. Two of the crews were all-girls, vying for a J/24 worlds women’s spot. Two crews were made up mainly of junior sailors from RHADC.

Weigh in came around Friday night – a couple of boats hadn’t been near the scales for a while and creative juggling of crews ensued – all 16 weighed in, with New Wave .3kg under! Luis was seen picking up junior sailors to check their weight – and the sight of senior police officers in their bill grundies in the RBYC Trophy room made some of the more squeamish girls wish they’d looked elsewhere!

Saturday was blowing dogs off chains. Jay Hooper, the Principal Race Officer, advised that he’d check out the Great Sound, and if too choppy in the 30+ breeze, would look for a more sheltered spot. Boats rigged up and headed out – racing was to be in Granaway Deep – with a ¾ mile leg, and the start just off Harbour Road – this worked out well for the spectators.

So in 20-30 knots racing got underway. With islands to each side of the windward and offset marks, there were light patches to the edges and stiff breeze in the middle of the course. The start line length was going to make it a challenge to get front row! All set, 11am rolled round and the sequences began.

From a Sadiiqi standpoint much of the day was a blur of close ducks, tacks, mark roundings and finishes. With a short race course and 16 boats there was plenty of action. Sadiiqi turned into RHADiCal at one stage (oops- sorry) and did turns, fouled at the windward mark and did turns (big oops), but had a clean day apart from that. Starts were key, and then the fight to get to the right side of the course, but not too far right. All over the course you could hear boats yelling starboard, or maybe it was just Richard’s voice carrying.

Race 1 had Charrua (Luis) well ahead at the finish, with New Wave (Trevor) and Siren (John) taking the next 2 places. Subsequent races were to be 3 laps after the initial 2 lapper. Race 2 got underway and a battle on the right ensued between Charrua and New Wave, and on the left between Catlin V (Paula) and Sadiiqi (Pete). A quick gybe at the offset and Sadiiqi got inside Catlin – after that places remained constant to the finish – Charrua, New Wave, Sadiiqi.

Race 3 – the race committee had not lit the BBQ on the back of Cleo, so starting was done in a cloud of smoke! This race had spoRHADiC (Tim) and Gripper (Mark) duking it out at the front. New Wave and Charua were in the mix. The first windward mark was carnage as all the boats arrived at the same time. The finishers were New Wave, Charua, spoRHADiC and Gripper.

Race 4 – crews were starting to tire now – the wind was still in the high 20’s, but at least the waves were small. Charua escaped from the pack early. New Wave and Sadiiqi were battling it out, but on the final downwind New Wave gybed away from Sadiiqi after the initial gybe at the offset, and they dropped back. A late puff had them come together with Sadiiqi at the pin where much discussion ensued before Sadiiqi pipped New Wave for 2^nd.

Race 5 – spoRHADiC was now settling in to playing the top of the fleet with New Wave and Chraua. A 3 lapper with a windward finish made for a more tactical race – New Wave had a clean race and finished ahead of spoRHADiC, with Charrua posting their worst result with a 3.

So back to RBYC for a great prize-giving with sponsors CCS presenting. Video and pictures were popular features after the bar, the tales were told, the rules were argued, and tired muscles started relaxing.

So the final results:

· 5^th and top women’s team – Catlin V (Paula)

· 4^th Sadiiqi (Pete)

· 3^rd spoRHADiC (Tim)

· 2^nd New Wave (Trevor)

· 1^st Charrua (Luis)

Results were very close!

So the end of a well organised and well attended series – big thanks to Jay and his team on Cleo (the race management was first class); thanks as always to the sponsors – CCS. The Class once again hopes to use funds raised to support junior sailing.

Updates to the SIs and NOR. Note skippers meeting RBYC 8:30am Saturday, also weigh-in & registration is on Friday at RBYC (not the Dinghy Club!)

Nice 15 knots breezed from the NW made for flat water, low humidity, and a crisp feel to the day. Boats early to the start area were swapping headsails as they tried to come up with the perfect combination. New Wave, fully loaded with crew, went for the big sail up front, Sadiiqi down to three lightweights and Pete opted for the jib. Six boats made the line, set by Jay Hoper, and before we knew it, or before some of the Etchells knew it, racing got underway. Race 1, Sadiiqi won the pin and headed left initially before the long haul to the right corner, where a big shift was waiting. All looked rosy round the first lap, but then New Wave closed the gap. Sadiiqi and New Wave played the extreme right, overstanding the mark in the big shift that seemed to live there, Gripper tore in from the left and rounded ahead – going on to take the win from New Wave. Race 2 and New Wave weren’t having a good day for starts – ducking the entire fleet at the gun. Gripper and Sadiiqi split sides, and after a fun filled 2 laps, including a dismount by a Jezebell crew, Sadiiqi took the finish from Gripper. All down to the last race. Gripper and Sadiiqi took off left, New Wave had to bail in traffic and headed right then hooked into that shift again – leaving Sadiiqi and Gripper to duke it out on the run. At the finish New Wave, Sadiiqi and Gripper – all tied on 6 points but those places stood on countback.

Great days racing and good warm up to Nationals next weekend.

Please see attached documents for the 2007 J/24 Nationals - November 24th

Sailing Instructions

Notice of Race

Entry