J 24 Europeans 2006

J 24 European Championships

A hot day for Hedgehogs


Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole, Great Britain is host to the 2006 J 24 European Championship. Following a delay of an hour for early morning fog to clear, the fleet of 43 boats set off for the internationally renowned bay.

This was to prove a frustrating but ultimately exciting day as the breeze varied from 3 to 12 mph across the three races held on the first day.

Pre Regatta form leaders include double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson and Ian Southworth, the current J24 European Champion.

Shirley, in a J24 for the first time, had served notice on the fleet by running away with the practice race, before in time honoured fashion, not passing through the Finish line.

But for the opening race, it was Southworth in his 1987 built, Hedgehog, who showed the fleet round the course. Leading from start to finish he crossed the line two and a half minutes ahead of the second boat, John Powell, making a welcome return to the fleet in Peggy and Alan Benet in Jam, fourth was John Dowty in Speedy Bean. Shirley Robertson opened her scorecard with a fifth place in light conditions.


Andy McHedgehog (Chris McLaughlin)

Race two began in slightly stronger breeze and two abandoned starts were followed by a black flag which saw eleven boats, including Southworth and Robertson on the Blackboard. Comments Southworth " It was a very challenging start and we won the pin, so I know we weren’t over. We have asked for redress, but sometimes this happens in racing".

The second race finally got away on the forth attempt and Al Clarke led from start to finish in Headcase, holding off an initial Challenge from Stuart Jardine in Stouche and then from Ronny ball, sailing Jam Two. Third was the always fast, Roger Rabbit, driven by Gavin Watson and fourth, Stefan Karsunke in Max Bahr, a German fleet entry. Another German boat, Rotoman took fifth, although for this regatta it is driven by Greg Wilcox, a leading New Zealand Etchells racer.

Race three after a long wait, saw Southworth storm off the line for the port side of the course and then a tack to the layline. He led from start to finish from Serco and the Speedy Bean team, Stuart Jardine held onto forth place from the new fleet members Jiggy with it – the team from Truro College.

Shirley Robertson had a horror of a day, recording another black flag.

Said Ian Southworth " What great racing we are having these boats are so even and there are a number of competitors with an equal chance of winning the title. Now where’s the Guiness?!"