J/111 Class at Spi-Ouest Regatta, La Trinite-sur-Mer, France

J/111 racing at Spi Ouest © Stefane Blom

J/111 racing at Spi Ouest © Stefane Blom

J/111 racing at Spi Ouest © Stefane Blom

La Trinite sur Mer, France was the host of the Spi-Ouest Regatta over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend which was the first one-design regatta for the J/111 Class. There were 10 boats entered from the UK, Holland, Belgium, Sweden in addition to France.

The first day of racing was a baptism by fire for the fleet in 25 knots, as they raced two windward/leeward races before a fantastic coastal race around fixed cans. For the coastal race the fleet thought the wise money would be with the local boat, JLance 7 (Didier Le Moal of J Composites) but a navigational error which confused the fleet, with the exception of Xcentric Ripper (John van de Starre) gave them a win in the last race of the day. J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) was the overnight leader from Xcentric Ripper and JLance 7. J-UK and the UK boats, J-Dream and oJe (Andy Hill) hosted the pontoon party when traditional British party snacks were served together with plenty of Pimms!

The wind had dropped for day 2 to 10 knots which allowed any sore heads to clear. The first race saw Xcentric Ripper continue her winning form. The next windward/leeward race was won by J-Dream before the PRO sent the fleet on a similar coastal race to day 1. There was an intense battle between J-Dream and JLance 7, but J-Dream held them off on the final reach to take her second win of the day. The party this evening was hosted by the French on the terrace of a local bar, with wine and oysters.

On checking out for the third day of racing the crewes were treated to an Easter Egg by the PRO, which many consumed as they waited for the breeze to build around the course. The first race saw 6 knots of shifty wind, which was confidently won by JLance 7 from Xcentric Ripper, with Blur (Peter Gustafsson) from Sweden in 3rd. JLance 7 also won the second race of the day from J-Dream and Xcentric Ripper took the final win of the day. The third evenings party was also held on the pontoon by the Swedish, Dutch and Belgians. Champagne and roll mop herrings were enjoyed by all.

The final day of racing saw J-Dream have a one point lead from JLance 7, whilst Alphalink Xtreme Yachting (G Thomas) and Blur were only separated by one point for 5th place and Djinn (J Smal), oJe and Merlin (Fred Bouvier) were separated by three points for 7th place. An early start and 20 knots greeted the fleet and J-Dream led the first race until JLance 7 passed on the final run. This was the only race of the day which gave JLance 7 victory on countback from J-Dream and Xcentric Ripper in 3rd.

The atmosphere and camaraderie together with the fantastically close one-design racing in the J/111 at Spi-Ouest is hopefully only the very beginning for this exciting new class.

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