JOG OneSails Yarmouth Racing Weekend at the Royal Solent Yacht Club
by Martin Banfield 18 Jun 01:12 NZST
14-15 June 2025
Class 4 during the JOG OneSails Yarmouth Racing Weekend © John Green Cowes /
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June is always a busy month in the Solent with multiple regattas in play so the "passage race", in JOG Yacht Racing style, provided a great opportunity in a good breeze and sunshine to experience a different taste to "round the cans" events.
The Race Officer took the fleet from the start off the JOG line at Egypt Point, out to Bembridge Ledge, back through the Solent Forts, and via the northern mainland shore to a finish off Yarmouth.
With strong Spring Tides, the cross Solent legs provided tactical opportunities with several place changes in the closing miles of the race.
Results appearing as soon as competitors crossed the line, saw a class 4 win by Sailfish, the well sailed Gibsea 90, just proving that its not always the big budgets that give exciting racing. Class 3 leader, Javelin (J105) also took line honours, a feat they repeated on the return race. Class 2 winners, Bellino (Sunfast 3600) sailed by Rob Craigie, RORC Commodore Deb Fish and crew beating Griffin, another 3600, by a full 8 minutes, Griffin taking second place.
A slightly depleted Class 1 fleet was dominated by Scream 2 (J120) sailed by JOG's past Captain, Stuart Lawrence beating Stickleback, the J45, by just a minute and a half on corrected time over a 36 ml course, taking just 4hrs and 15 mins. That timing alone illustrates the fast-paced downwind run to the Ledge which saw the fleet turning back into a foul tide until well back along the Solent as the tide again turned to help the beat back to the finish.
At the OneSails prize-giving, effusive thanks were given by the 200 odd crew members present to the Royal Solent Yacht Club for their hosting as well as to the generous sponsors who provided kit bags and goodies to each of the winning teams.
A special Generation JOG prize from our season sponsors, Henri-Lloyd was awarded to Milo Gordon, crewing on Stickleback who had also clocked up an impressive 166 miles crewing in the current season.
The double-handed class winners, Joyride (J97), sailed by Ed Rogers & Paul Nichol were mid fleet in class which may demonstrate that multiple sail changes and turning corners in such a competitive environment is easier with a bigger crew!
The return race on Sunday saw less testing wind speeds but continuing strong tides which required some careful navigation to pick the best route for a course which saw a windward beat from the start towards the mid Solent and a tactical slalom from north to the southern side and back again to the TeamO buoy off Calshot before an "off the wind" leg across the western front of the Bramble bank and a final beat to the finish against a strong foul tide. The reaching leg certainly favoured the boats able and willing to carry code sails or reaching spinnakers with several unexpected place changes which, for some, were reversed on the final beat home. Several yachts found to their cost that it's up on the beach for some tidal relief as soon as possible after crossing the front of Cowes or see yourself going backwards on each tack!
With just a 17 ml race, the race officers had themselves a sprint from Yarmouth back to the JOG box in time to finish the early finishers!
A glorious day in the sun saw some leader changes over the two days with Dusty P (First 40) winning class 1 and Spectrum (Impala) taking podium in class 4. Javelin and Bellino again took class wins in classes 3 and 2 respectively and Joyride taking a second, double handed, win.
It's not every weekend that sees sunshine and great sailing, generously provided by OneSails we presume! Of course, it could be that us sailors need the occasional bonus!