J70 UK Grand Slam 2 at the Royal Thames Yacht Club Day 1
by Ruby Dent / J/70 UK Class 10 May 20:57 NZST
9-10 May 2026
The Royal Thames Yacht Club treated the class to four excellent races on a really interesting race course on the Solent.
A delay whilst the gradient was mixed with an emerging thermal breeze, gave the assembled teams on Bramble Bank an early-season social. Once it arrived the South Easterly gradually built allowing for PRO to squeeze in four really interesting races. He positioned the course precisely just to the East and in the "tidal lee" of the Bank, which posed the fleet with plenty of questions.
Was it best to go right to get to the edge of the deeper water on the right hand side, or was it better to tap into the pressure on the left? Or would the North Channel help or hurt? As it transpired the pressure moved around and it was truly an "eyes out" day.
Simon Perry's Jiraffe nailed the first beat and led at the windward mark of the opening race. However, it was Lady Khumbu, helmed by Jacintha Love-Hamilton, the newly formed Mixed Plus team sailing with J/70 legend Ruairidh Scott, that took the first bullet.
Each race saw multiple lead changes with Jelvis, Jiraffe and Lady Khumbu fighting for podium. WhiteOut, helmed by Oliver Dix, were one decision away from finding themselves on the podium overall, with two second place-finishes across the day. Powder Monkey also had a solid day, consistently starting well alongside Max Clapp's Jeepster, who was always in the mix.
By race three the tide was on the turn presenting a whole new set of questions.
With a tight leaderboard, and 3 races scheduled for today in a 15-20knots North-Westerly everything is to play for...