There is really only one place to start this week. Mike and Susie Yates J/109 JAGO were awarded "Yacht of the Series" and the Paul Heys Trophy winner. This very well-sailed J/109 had a remarkable season. They excelled offshore with a third overall in the UK Doublehanded Series, including a first place in the Doublehanded Nationals, and then scoring a perfect twelve first places in the twenty-one-boat IRC 2 Class at the Hamble Winter Series.
Last year Mike was very disappointed when he did not retain the Paul Heys Trophy for the best-performing J/Boat. "You told me last year I had to sail faster," said Mike on Sunday. And, he certainly did, adding the major prize- Yacht of the Series- during the process!!
IRC 2 Division
In IRC 2, Mike Yates' J/109 JAGO won their final race by over FOUR minutes on IRC corrected time.. yet another stunning result. Their outstanding performance was unprecedented in the annals of HRSC Winter Series history! After discarding THREE 1st places, JAGO completed the regatta with just 9 pts net! Fellow J/109 owner Chris Burleigh, sailing JYBE TALKIN' also sailed well to get the bronze medal-- two J/109s on the podium! Then, finishing 5th for the series was Rob Cotterill's J/109 MOJO RISIN.
Image © Paul Wyeth
