SQUALLS!  That will be how the final race for the J/109s at the Garmin Hamble Winter Series 2009 will be remembered.  For some it was too much Wight Squall cocktail at the Key Yachting and J/80 party at the King and Queen the night before, for others it was just the weather!

The course was set from Fastnet Insurance across to Daks.  A good start by Outrajeous (Richard & Valerie Griffith) and Red Arrow (RAFSA) saw them lead the fleet towards the first mark, before Aria (Luca Rubinelli) who had been forced to tack right popped out in front.  A long run back to Hillhead plateau saw none of the fleet hoist their spinnakers as they were just recovering from the first hailstorm (more like rocks!) and the gusts of 35knots plus.  A second beat saw Aria disappear into the driving rain as she extended her lead from J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp).  The second long run saw only J-Dream hoist her spinnaker and gybe, which enabled her to catch and pass Aria.  It was after dropping the spinnaker and turning to round the mark that J-Dream got caught by the third squall and barely held onto her lead.  Another short beat and run saw J-Dream and Aria battle it out for first place, whilst Outrajeous was fending off the attack of Audajious (David Jobson) for third.  J-Dream beat Aria by only 30seconds in what was certainly the coldest race of 2009. 

This final race saw J-Dream win the series with 6 points, Aria 2nd on 15 and Outrajeous 3rd on 17 points.  The J/109 UK Class Association would like to thank Hamble River Sailing Club and the sponsors for 2009 for running excellent racing in what have been frustrating weather conditions.

The chat after racing in the bar centred round the size of the hailstones, the maximum gust seen (42knots was reported) and the happiness that the boats could be dried out now for the winter!

Results:

1st J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp)

2nd Aria (Luca Rubinellli)

3rd Outrajeous (Richard & Valerie Griffith)