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31 March 2013
STRAIT BULLETS
Perfect scoreline for David Franks at the conclusion of the RORC Easter Challenger
Race Report by James Boyd/The Daily Sail
David Franks and his JPK 1010, Strait Dealer Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com/RORC
Easter Challenge
Winter was halted momentarily this morning on the final day of at the RORC Easter
Challenge when the sun broke through, raising the ambient temperature on the Solent
above freezing. Combined with more 15 knot winds, Easter Sunday's two races provided
the perfect conclusion to the Royal Ocean Racing Club's UK season opener and training
regatta.
Scoreboard stars were once again David Franks and his JPK 1010, Strait Dealer in
IRC Three. Their two wins today saw them conclude the regatta with straight bullets
across the event's seven races, a repeat of Strait Dealer's scoreline last year
at the IRC Nationals.
Franks attributed his success to his crew and also to the time they have spent sailing
Etchells, between RORC races. Many new crew were aboard Strait Dealer for this regatta,
with regular hand, Graham Sunderland, joined by Ben Ainslie's coach and keelboat
legend David Howlett, ex-Team GBR squad sailor Bleddyn Mon calling tactics and
several members of the British Keelboat Academy.
"In one design sailing there is nowhere to hide," said Frank. "Even little things
are immediately seen. That helps you in handicap fleet racing - even if you don't
get the instantaneous response, the skills you learn are transferable."
RORC Easter Challenge - Sir Keith Mills' TP52 5°West leads IRC One - Credit: Paul
Wyeth/pwpictures.com
The winner of IRC 1 also scored two bullets today - Sir Keith Mills' TP52 5°West
also claimed the overall prize in the big boat class in what is the first regatta
for the TeamOrigin boss as an 'owner driver'.
"The objective of the weekend was to get better and these guys are great coaches
- when you have a crew of this calibre driving is easy." admitted Mills, pointing
to the small army that sails 5°West, led by three time Volvo Ocean Race sailor Robert
Greenhalgh and including Laser gold medallist Paul Goodison on tactics.
"It has been a great end to a very cold weekend. It has been fantastic - a steep
learning curve for me, but a lot of fun and it will be more fun when it warms up
by another 10 or 20°C!" Mills plans to helm his TP52 in many more regattas in the
UK this year.
The rising intensity of competition between 5°West and the Farr 52 Toe in the Water,
and between the three Farr 45s and Ker 40s was best indicated in today's final race
when a dog fight on the line led to a general recall.
Andrew Pearce's Ker 40, Magnum III - Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Between the speedy trio of Ker 40s, it was Andrew Pearce's white-hulled Magnum III
that came out on top, finishing second overall in IRC One, six points ahead of Edward
Broadway's Hooligan VII.
Despite Magnum III being the only Ker with the same owner as last season, Pearce
was sailing with a new young crew and he bemoaned their lack of practice before
the RORC Easter Challenge. "Unlike last year, we've literally only had two weekends
training before the Easter regatta. With the new crew, it is a bit of trial and
error, so I am very pleased with the way we have performed. This training weekend
has turned into quite a hot, competitive weekend, so I am pleased about that."
Runaway leader in IRC Two was the King 40, Tokoloshe,of South African owner Michael
Bartholomew. With a 3-1 scoreline today, the Hamble-based crew podiumed in all seven
races this weekend to finish 15 points clear of second. Holding this position, albeit
tied on points with Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39 Antix, was the top female skipper at
the regatta: Jackie Dobson, helm of the Poole-based J/133, Jeronimo.
"I am really really pleased," said Dobson. "Over the winter we've had the keel off,
the mast down - we've had a lot of work done on the boat. We had a real battle to
get the boat back together, with no time to practice, so we're really chuffed. We
never thought we were going to make it."
Dobson was also doubtful about the freezing temperatures. "We were humming and harring
about whether anyone would enjoy it because it was so cold, but everyone has absolutely
loved it. And the coaching is brilliant. It is a great regatta to refocus everyone
for the coming season and get everyone back working as a team together on the boat.
Everyone gets a lot out of it and they are all fired up now for the rest of the
season."
Peter Schofield's HOD35 Zarafa - Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
In IRC Four, Peter Schofield's HOD35 Zarafa dominated and like 5°West and Strait
Dealer won both today's races. The Lymington-based team finished 6.5 points ahead
of Altura & Steamy, the First 34.7 campaigned by Neil Cash and Nick Haigh.
Well known RORC racer Haigh has previously sailed on Cash's boat in Plymouth. "Neil
is thrilled. It was far colder than skiing, but we've really enjoyed it."
For the Plymouth crew it was a strong learning experience, assisted by RORC Easter
Challenge coach Jim Saltonstall and his team. "Training-wise, we had a mix of people
and we hadn't sailed as a team before so it was great to learn about the trim and
sail shapes and how to hit buoys in a lot of tide!" said Haigh.
Although they admit there is "room for improvement" with their results, one of the
most enthusiastic participants at the RORC Easter Challenge was the team on Sebastien
Delasnerie's Dr Feelgood (again). The Paris-based crew has their A-35 berthed in
Cherbourg and made the trip over for the training regatta, the first of many RORC
races they plan to do this season, says Delasnerie. However of this regatta he admitted:
"We didn't train enough for the training regatta! But it was extremely helpful because
this is the early race of the season. Cowes is very exotic! The people are extremely
friendly. Even the customs guy was nice to us!"
At the prizegiving this afternoon in Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre, class winners
were presented with their prizes, including a stockpile of Easter eggs.
ENDS/...
Images can be found on the RORC gallery pages on the website:
All images Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com/RORC Easter Challenge
Royal Ocean Racing Club | 20 St James's Place | London | SW11 1NN | United Kingdom
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