Thrilling racing on Day One Key Yachting J-Cup 30 June 2022

The Key Yachting J-Cup, in association with B&G, kicked off with 56 teams enjoying superb sunny conditions in the Solent. A south westerly breeze built steadily during the day, and by the second race the gradient breeze was up to 15 knots, with 20 knots in the gusts. Race winners on Day One of the Key Yachting J-Cup: J/99 Jump 2 it, J/105 Jacana, J/92s Upstart, J/111 McFly, J/109 Jumping Jellyfish, J/109 Joule, J/70 Brutus, and J/70 Jelvis.

IRC One
Kevin Taylor's J/99 Jump 2 it raced beautifully today, scoring a perfect two bullets. Derek Shakespeare's J/122 Bulldog is second after the first day, but only on countback from Michael & Sarah Wallis' J/122 Jahmali. Wayne Palmer's J/99 Jam had a close battle with Vernon Bradley's J/99 Black Jack. Jam ending the day ahead of Black Jack by two points, the two skippers did enjoy a friendly beer after racing, but the gloves will be back on for tomorrow's racing!

"That was fantastic!" exclaimed Jump 2 it's Kevin Taylor. "The whole crew put in a superb performance leaving me to just focus on driving the boat. To be honest, Jump 2 it is specifically set up for inshore racing, while Jam and Black Jack have a more offshore set up. I was really pleased to beat the two larger J/122s on corrected time, my crew deserve all the praise. We are really focused on just sailing the boat well, and after today, I am just so happy with how we are performing."

IRC Two
Mark Stevens J/105 Jacana had an excellent day, scoring a 1-2, to lead the class by one point from defending IRC Two champions J/92s Upstart, sailed by Robin Stevenson. David Greenhalgh's J/92 J'ronimo is third after two races, just one point ahead of Becky Walford's J/92 Brenda's J

J/111 UK National Championships
Defending UK National Champion's McFly sailed by Tony Mack, started the regatta with two straight wins to lead the class after the first day. Louise Makin & Chris Jones' JourneyMaker II is second after two races with Tim Tolcher's Raging Bull 2 in third.

"We had good boat speed today, which was one of the main reasons for our performance," commented McFly's Tony Mack. "With the breeze building, we made sure that we retuned the rig in between races. We have had a few changes in our crew brought upon us, but the new sailors have settled in really well. As always, starts are very competitive in the J/111 fleet, and I am sure the level of competition will remain high for the whole regatta. It was great fun today, especially planing in the second race."

J/109 UK National Championships
Defending J/109 National Champion, David Richards' Jumping Jellyfish, won the first race of the regatta by just 30 seconds from John Smart's Jukebox. Race Two was even closer with Arjen van Leeuwen's Dutch J/109 Joule taking the gun by just 12 seconds from Jumping Jellyfish. The J/109 fleet enjoyed thrilling racing, with seconds separating the boats. Race Two was a seriously competitive start, causing a general recall for the 12 boat fleet. Anthony & William Tahourdin racing J/109 Jedi, may not have got the best results today, but the crew were full of smiles enjoying a beer at the RORC Clubhouse after racing. "We bought Jedi just before lockdown, so we haven't done much racing with her, but the J/109 is a great boat; we race inshore and offshore and we can sail her just two-handed as well, I can't think of a more all-rounder than a J/109, which gives such competitive racing." Commented the Tahourdins.

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 was held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. Key Yachting's Wayne Palmer and Hannah Le Provost welcomed 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!