J/111 Sailing Report- SPI Ouest France Regatta

(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- John Van de Starre's J/111 X-CENTRIC RIPPER sailed a fantastic SPI Ouest France Regatta.   Here's their report on what it was like to sail the J/111 one-design class in La Trinite sur Mer, France:

"Last month , our team, unexpectedly, got the fantastic opportunity to start the season in La Trinite sur Mer. The Easter regatta, called “ Spi Ouest”, is an annual sailing regatta with international participants. Here the first J/111 One design regatta in Europe would take place and we were invited by the J-Europe factory to participate!

After the winter series, we made a great effort in a short period to prepare the boat for La Trinite. There were 10 J/111 enlisted, coming from France, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, the UK and Holland. Paul Heys, the UK J-agent (last year 3rd in Cowes week) was there and so was Didier le Moal, CEO of J/Boats Europe with a professional crew.

DAY 1- Good Friday was a splendid day with 25 kts of wind from the NE and sun, so magnificent sailing conditions. This day, our class was starting with the First 31.7 class on course B. Also the M34 and Grand Surprises with a field of 44 boats were on our course. Our first start was good and we were first at the top mark.. Downwind we were too precautious with our A5 asymmetrical, because we wanted to spare the new 130 m2 A2 with 25 kts of wind. At once we were overrun by the planing French boat helmed by Didier with its large spinnaker. After the second upwind leg, we came 2nd at the upwind mark, it became painfully clear how incredibly busy it can be at the top mark. We wanted to round the mark after a starboard tack but surrounded by lots of Grand Surprises, we were stuck in the pack. On top of that, one of them hit us and its mast came between our forestay and our mast. No escape possible with 25 kts of wind. Fortunately, with utmost physical efforts, we could get free and continue the race without substantial damage and no dismasting!

We had to turn a 720 degrees and became 5th in position. Finally, we finished 3 rd but realized that we were very lucky to be able to continue racing . Without a mast, the racing season would be over…….Race 2 was not really good, too precautious choosing the A5 and struggling with flocks of other boats , we became 4th. Race 3 was a beautiful 15 miles coastal to round fixed cans. We had a good start and could take charge after some sensible decisions. This resulted in a first place!! Conclusion of the day: stay out of the crowd and hoist the large spinnaker.

DAY 2- Looks again to be a top-day. We started with 10 kts of wind, many wind shifts, and again a first place. However, in the 2nd race, we were put back to earth. After a start over port, we could not climb out of the field and were forced to continue too far. We could not get the speed of the last race and with defensive tactics, we could press out a 3 rd place.

With new energy we started another coastal, but again not enough speed. We were ending up at the back of the field………. What is the matter??? There is only one possibility and that is that something is wrong under water. Underway we saw some seaweed in the water, so maybe there is some stuck at the keel, saildrive or rudder. During our daily drink on the mooring pontoon, we could borrow a wetsuit, luckily for some of us a small one, so Pascal our bowman was the only lucky one to fit in. As Pascal is a brave man, he goes under the boat in the ice cold water and at the rudder he found seaweed. We found the reason of our bad performance! Our self-confidence was damaged a bit, but we started day 3 with full enthusiasm. Race 1, less wind, 6 kts, looking out for pressure. Especially downwind, the dices are thrown. Are you choosing depth and less speed or more speed with less height. We kept on watching VMG and gusts and tried to find the right mixture. Especially the French boat “ J-Lance” with Didier goes like hell and wins this race. We became 2nd. Race 2 is like a one design race should be, 8 knots within 50 meters from each other , changing positions all the time, great racing!! We fought hard and ended 3 rd. Race 3 was top of the bill. Another first place!!

DAY 4- Early start at 09.30 hrs. We sail race 1 with 20 kts of wind. We have a safe 3 rd pace in general ranking with only 1 point difference between # 2 “ J-Dream” and # 1 “ J-Lance” and us 4 points behind the latter. With some luck, we could climb one or two places if we were going to win two races. Unfortunately, after one race and a 3rd. place, the committee decides to send us back to the marina. J-Lance became the winner, with J-Dream second and Xcentric Ripper third.

Spi-Ouest, a splendid event. What an excellent racing weekend!! I have to say that one design sailing in J-111 is great. It is very close racing. Every tiny mistake is being punished straight away and winning is really winning. A fine result and a very good team spirit and atmosphere on board of our Xcentric Ripper!

Participating Spi-Ouest gave us the opportunity to work on our tuning and boat handling and we became very confident in the new season, starting with the Van Uden Reco races in 2 weeks!"

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