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Hyde Sails J/80 success
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Hyde Sails-powered J80 scoops runner-up spot in the class nationals
Rob Larke, manager of the recently-announced Cowes Hyde loft, finished second in the championship, a promising result ahead of the class worlds later in the year.
The eight-race J80 championship took place in Hamble over the course of three days. Conditions were predominately light, although the wind ranged from 5-28 knots, with the best breeze appearing for Thursday's second race.
Kevin Sproul and his team on 'Jane's Sister' started the event with two wins and a second, but Rob Larke and his team on the Hyde Sailspowered 'Joystick' followed a third in the first race with a second and then a win in race three as they found their feet. Racing was tight at the front of the fleet, and the top three was only decided on the last day, when a 2,3 secured second for Larke and his crew, two points ahead of Ian Atkins on 'Boats.com', and just five points adrift of Sproul.
Rob Larke explained: 'It was a good test of boat speed to go up against Kevin as he finished in the top five in the worlds last year, so we could find how we would compare. We were definitely fast in the breeze and should have won the windy race, but an unlucky hoist put us in second. Our light airs speed got faster as the weekend went on and we definitely felt like we were the fastest boat on the water on the last day.'
The J80 worlds are due to take place in Santander, Spain in July, where Rob and his team will be competing. Meanwhile, Rob is busy running the Hyde loft in Cowes, which is ideally situated to serve the sailors of the Isle of White and the Solent for many of the season's biggest events.
HYDE SAILS COWES
Cowes Yacht Haven
Vectis Yard
Cowes, Isle of Wight
PO31 7AY
T: +44 (0)1983 281100
M: +44 (0)7737 853914
Email: cowes@hydesails.com
posted by Hyde Sails at
16:05
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