The Key Yachting J-Cup, in association with B&G, was topped off with a third day of fantastic conditions in The Solent. Classic south-westerly breeze, pumped up to 15 knots with more in the gusts, but the wind was with the tide for most of the day, giving a flatter sea state. Three races were completed by all classes to bring racing at the 2022 Key Yachting J-Cup to a conclusion.

Race winners on Day Three: J/122 Jahmali, J/105 Jacana, J/92 J'ronimo, J/92 Upstart, J/111 McFly, J/111 Jagerbomb, J/109 Joule, J/109 Jumping Jellyfish, J/109 just So, J/70 Chaotic, J/70 Standfast and J/70 Jeepster.

Results link here

A start at the J/70 UK National Championships Photo: Paul Wyeth

J/70 UK National Championships

The J70 Offbeat Photo: Paul Wyeth

It was a special night for the J/70 Jelvis team; a tremendous performance in becoming the 2022 J/70 UK National Champions in a fleet containing Olympic medallists and world champions. For the championship victory and through Martin Dent’s significant contribution to the J/70 UK Class, Jelvis was also awarded the 2022 J-Cup, to a huge ovation at the final prize giving ceremony at the RORC Clubhouse in Cowes.

The J70 Jelvis

Jelvis sailed beautifully to win the 27-strong Open J/70 UK National Championships, with four race wins out of eight contests. Paul Ward’s Eat Sleep J Repeat was runner-up with Nick Phillips’ Chaotic scoring a 1-2 in the final two races to snatch third by a point from Doug Struth’s DSP.

Jelvis crew: Martin Dent, Ruby Dent, Henry Wetherell, Jack Wetherell.

"Jelvis Team: Ruby, Jack and Henry - we all love racing the J/70. It’s the best one Design class in the world. Great boat, great class rules, and it attracts like-minded people who just love fantastic racing. Well done to DSP for winning the Corinthian championship, and to Max Clapp and his cohorts for winning the David Haw Youth Trophy. "

Doug Struth’s DSP, with Tom Mallandine on the helm, had a stellar performance. Not only did DSP win the 19-strong Corinthian Division by a huge margin but also came within a point of making the Open Division podium. Tim Dickinson’s Jellyfish with son Fin on the stick was second, a fantastic achievement in only their second season in the class with a family crew. Tim Simpson & Ole Bettum’s Dads ‘N’ Lads, also new to the class, and sailing with family members was third.

The J70 DSP

DSP Crew: Freya Adams, Ed Chapman, Tom Mallandine, Dan Schieber, Doug Struth.

“We are so pleased with our performance, especially in big breeze against fantastic competition, and well done to Jelvis, who were magnificent,” commented Doug Struth. “DSP was really consistent, scoring no worse than sixth. One of the great things about the J/70 Class in the UK is that we share knowledge and that has been a real boost to our performance. Also coaching is really well organised and especially Elliott Willis has really helped the DSP team, fingers crossed we intend to race at the J/70 European and World Championships later this year.”

There was also a special award of the Best Newcomer Trophy to Paul Barnett’s J/70 Panther. Paul and the team travelled down from Dundee in Scotland to compete in the Key Yachting J-Cup. The team are learning fast, and always full of fun after racing.

Celebrating Youth Sailing at the Key Yachting J-Cup

The David Haw Youth Trophy Photo: Ian Roman

The new David Haw Youth Trophy, created by the combined teams of David McLeman’s Offbeat and Ian Poynton’s Powder Monkey, was awarded to Max Clapp’s Little J. All of the Little J team are 25 or under and finished in 11th place in a highly competitive fleet.

Max Clapp’s Little J Photo: Paul Wyeth

“The J/70 Class in the UK is one that many young sailors aspire to race in,” commented David McLeman. “We tragically lost David Haw earlier this year, and to celebrate youth sailing and as a tribute and lasting memory to David; Little J are worthy winners.”

There was also a special award for the young team racing on Charles Berry’s J/109 Jenie, which was awarded The Nipper Trophy. Jenie is a new team for the J-Cup representing the Exeter University Sailing Club.

J/109 UK National Championships

A J/109 National Championship start Photo: Paul Wyeth

Arjen van Leeuwen’s Dutch J/109 Joule held off a strong challenge to win the class from defending J/109 National Champion, David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish.

David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish Photo: Paul Wyeth

David McGough’s Just So, made their best results on the final day, scoring a 5-1-2 to finish third, ahead of Mike & Susie Yates J/109 JAGO. The Joule team from the Jachtclub Scheveningen in the Netherlands scored five race wins in a fleet of 12 J/109s

Arjen van Leeuwen’s Dutch J/109 Joule Photo: Paul Wyeth

“We are very, very pleased,” smiled Joule’s Arjen van Leeuwen. “Today was a little more difficult, when we blew out a spinnaker, which ruined our last race and made the championship really tight. We already had really tough competition from Jumping Jellyfish, which was really well prepared, but Joule was very well prepared as well. The boat was four months on the hard for a refit. The Joule team had a really nice time at the regatta, with super conditions, great competition, and fun on and off the water. We will definitely be back to the J-Cup.”

Arjen van Leeuwen’s Dutch J/109 Joule crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

J/111 UK National Championships

Defending UK National Champions Tony and Sally Mack’s J/111 McFly. The crew included Cork mainsheet trimmer, Harry Durcan who told Afloat "Nice to win again after winning Cowes week IRC 1 last August with the same team!" Photo: Paul Wyeth

Defending UK National Champions Tony & Sally Mack’s J/111 McFly retained the trophy with an impressive five wins from eight races. Louise Makin & Chris Jones’ JourneyMaker II scored no worse than third the entire regatta to finish as runner-up. Cornel Riklin’s Jitterbug held off a big challenge to take third from Paul Griffiths Jagerbomb, which won two races on the final day; Jitterbug was third by a single point.

Louise Makin & Chris Jones’ JourneyMaker II Photo: Paul Wyeth

“When all the J/111s line up there is nothing much between us,” commented McFly’s Tony Mack. “We have to work hard to sail faster or higher to get ahead, and even then, it’s only seconds between us. It is very much a team effort on McFly for trim and balance with Jeremy Smart calling the shots. We all know our jobs and we get on and do it. If we do well, it’s always a team effort.”

Tony & Sally Mack’s J/111 McFly crew defended their national title Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC One

The J122e Jahmali Photo: Paul Wyeth

Michael & Sarah Wallis’ J/122 Jahmali won all three races on the final day to finish the regatta with five race-wins and retain the class title. Kevin Taylor’s J/99 Jump 2 it was leading the class until the final day, but even three podium finishes were not enough to hold off Jahmali. Wayne Palmer’s J/99 Jam was only commissioned last month, the crew are all friends of the Key Yachting owner and under the guidance of Vendee Globe star Pip Hare, Jam scored all podium finishes on the final day to take third in class.

Kevin Taylor’s J/99 Jump 2 it Photo: Paul Wyeth

All of the Jahmali crew were rejoicing at the Key Yachting Prize Giving, skipper Michael Wallis commented: “We enjoyed the flatter conditions today and it is always a pleasure to race at the J-Cup. A big thank you to all the Key Yachting team, who have been fabulous, they came to our assistance today before racing, without them we wouldn’t have been on the start line today.”

The J122 Jahmali crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

The J/99 Jam crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC Two

Mark Stevens’ J/105 Photo: Paul Wyeth

Mark Stevens’ J/105 Jacana scored a 1-2-3 on the final day to secure the class title from defending IRC Two champions J/92s Upstart, sailed by Robin Stevenson. David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J'ronimo won the final race but was just a point off the podium.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was good fun!” commented Jacana’s Mark Stevens. “This was something else, Jacana is a great bunch of friends enjoying a great regatta, that is what it is all about. The good competition made us focus on our performance, it was great to race with well-sailed J/92s and another J/105. We had sunshine and wind, what more do you want?” 

The Jacana J/105 crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

The Upstart crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

The J/92 J'ronimo crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

The Key Yachting Final Prize Giving was held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse with a Salcombe Gin Cocktails Reception, followed by a plated three-course dinner for the J/Boat Clan. Key Yachting’s Hayley Quinn and Hannah Le Provost welcomed J/Boats teams to the stage to receive a bevy of prizes from regatta sponsors. B&G Ambassador Pip Hare presented the prizes to the winners, podium teams, and other special prizes.

Key Yachting Sales Director Hannah Le Prevost confirmed that the 2023 J-Cup will be held 15-17 June, hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble.

Irish J Cup in 2023

There will be the inaugural Irish J-Cup in 2023, 26-27 August, hosted by the Royal Irish Yacht Club. All J/Boats owners and charterers are very welcome to enter and enjoy both events.