Gentle breeze, clear skies, seven J’s on the line, and Jay Hooper as R/C  - doesn’t get much better! A few IODs joined in the fun, so not too busy out on the course. First race and New Wave, Sadiiqi bailed right after the start, picking up slightly better pressure and both extended on the fleet heading left. The lefties were headed up by Gripper, and that’s the way it finished after several laps (New Wave, Sadiiqi, Gripper). Sliding By joined the fun with a perfectly timed departure from the dock, arriving at the pin as the gun went off. It would have been better to stow the engine during the race, as ducking involved avoiding several feet of Mercury hanging off the back.

Race 2 and course 4 came out - scramble for course cards to see what that was all about.  It was the old Olympic (triangle then windward/leeward). New Wave and Solaise were over at the start, but only Solaise went back. At the first mark Siren rounded ahead and then set the chute heading downwind - had they forgotten the reaching course? Next boat round was the premature New Wave, and as they pointed to Hamilton, Siren swerved to follow. A chasing Gripper and Sadiiqi made up the front bunch. The final downwind to the finish had Sadiiqi holding out Jezebel, with Sliding By on the outside. Gripper split to the boat end, and as the 3 J’s discussed rules, boat lengths, and tried to anticipate what Sliding By would do, Gripper snuck in for the 2nd behind leader Siren. Sadiiqi came out of the bun-fight in 3rd, by a nose.

Race 3 and course 4 with a windward finish now on the cards. Solaise launched of the line as Neil started paying attention to rock star Lordy on the pointy end. New Wave chasing up the beat, but Solaise maintained their dominance, and were never in trouble. Sliding By, with engine removed, were in the thick of things - at the back Sadiiqi and Gripper split from the rest in the final upwind to gain some leverage. It almost worked, but Siren and Jezebel came in from the right on a shift and maintained position.

End of the day - Siren were most consistent 5-1-4 (10), followed by New Wave, Solaise, and Sadiiqi all on 11 points.

Breezy morning with 20 boats on the line, with 6 J’s included. A 2 hour race ensued, with broad reaches in 20+ knots. Moxie kept a short lead over New Wave for the 12 mile course, with Solaise leading the chasing pack. Plenty of action with the chutes up, boats planing wildly, and big boat avoidance the order of the day. Lots of smiles back at the club for prize-giving and roast beef.

The J24 Class Association invite you to our Christmas Party on Friday 28th November 2008 at 8pm at Fourways Inn

Tickets are $85 including Champagne Reception, Dinner and Dancing.
Wine can be ordered on the night.

RSVP:  Rebecca_Davies @ jltpark.bm

Saturday racing had six boats on the line for the 2nd part of the Fairhaven Bowl. Conditions were almost perfect - enough shifts to go around and a pretty fair course. Breeze started at 15 and lightened up during the day. From the previous week, Sadiiqi, Erin and New Wave went into the final half of the series in the top positions. Race 1 and Sadiiqi took an early lead and then extended it - Gripper and Jezebel, who was using a jib, led the chasing pack, and after 2 laps it was Sadiiqi, Gripper, Jezebel. Race 2 and Gripper was again in the lead group. New Wave worked through the pack and after 3 laps took the gun, with Gripper and Jezebel again in 2nd & 3rd. Final race had New Wave and Sadiiqi covering each other - on the final upwind the tacking duel allowed Gripper into the fray, and she slowly pulled ahead. Toward the finish Gripper held New Wave out from the pin with much boat to boat discussion. Meanwhile Sadiiqi quietly tried to sneak in, but after gybing both Gripper and New Wave had the advantage crossing the line - too close to call. So at the end of the series Sadiiqi takes the Fairhaven Bowl. Gripper took the day with a 2-2-?