With forecasts of light winds for the March 22 race day, the J/109 start got underway in a 10 knot breeze which stayed with the fleet for the majority of the 2.5 hour race.
 
First to the windward mark was JAHMALI (Mike & Sarah Wallis), closely followed by JUST WILLIAM (Will Leonard), J-DREAM (David & Kirsty Apthorp), SHIVA (Matthew Boyle), BETH of FIVE STAR (Guy Knight) and new to the fleet JAMBAHLA (Richard Sainsbury & Gill Ross).  The laid inflatable leeward mark was most appreciated by BETH OF FIVE STAR who tried to skewer it with her bowsprit.  The course then took the J/109 fleet back and forward across the Solent to Ryde Bank but the wind did not shift as anticipated and the downwind legs were reaches causing the J/109 fleet to spread out.  On the penultimate beat to Hamble Yacht Services, J-DREAM played the wind shifts, rounded the mark ahead of JUST WILLIAM, and set off in pursuit of JAHMALI.
 
After the first three boats crossed the finish line there was a lull in the wind which caused JAMBAHLA to be caught by several boats including RED ARROW (RAF Sailing Association) and pipped to the line for 7th place by 37 seconds. SHIVA, who had fallen back to 8th after a tactical error on the first run, picked off the fleet one by one to finish 4th.
 
With more wind anticipated for next week, the J/109 Class has thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and light winds which allowed us to trade in our thermals for shorts and sunscreen.
Results:
1st -  JAHMALI (Mike & Sarah Wallis)
2nd - J-DREAM (David & Kirsty Apthorp)
3rd - JUST WILLIAM (Will Leonard)