The strong wind weather forecast for the J/105 national at Seaview Yacht Club did not disappoint with winds reaching 30 knots on the Friday night as teams made their way to their moorings. Jambalaya reached their mooring first and attempted to get crew and gear ashore. However, a punctured RIB and a man overboard meant that the remaining boats were directed to East Cowes and Gosport to seek safe berths.

On Saturday morning the crews awoke to 20 kt north-easterlies and rain – just what the hangovers ordered. The race committee needed to complete four races and set three windward/leewards, followed by longer course involving four reaching legs. Voador (Simon Curwen) continued their good form from the spring series and took four bullets, with the only real challenges coming from Jambalaya (Andy Bird – 2nd on day one) and J Dream (David Apthorp – 3rd on day one). With Diablo J (Gary Fry & Nick Martin) struggling to find their mojo and Fay J (Paul Griffiths) not starting due to engine issues, Voador had the regatta won on day one.

Diablo J led the events after the Championship dinner and all involved knew that Sunday morning was going to hurt. As ever, the Diablo J crew kicked off the drinking games and the evening will be remembered by the crews for a very long rendition of ‘Grand Old Duke of York’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’, with the drinking punishments being handed out by Ant and Dec.

Fay J joined the regatta on Sunday to perfect sailing weather with 10-15 knots easterlies and blue skies. With first place tied up the race was on for the remaining cups. On the first finish, Voador crossed one boat length ahead of Diablo J and Jambalaya crossed moments later. The last race honours went to Voador, with some very close racing behind between Diablo J, Jambalaya and J Dream, which ended with Diablo J second and Jambalaya third.

After a brief spell in the protest room, the results were Voador first, Jambalaya second and Diablo J third. Voador’s amazing results once again showed that a family crew is the way to win the championship, carrying on the trend set by J-Spot.