Team Baltic Win J80 Class at 2010 J Cup In Preparation For J80 Europeans

Hamble, UK - 22 June 2010 - Team Baltic a young J80 team from Dartmouth, sponsored by Baltic Wharf boatyard, Totnes, had a great start to their season winning the J80 Class at the 2010 J-Cup hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in the Solent from 3-5 June. The Team were using the regatta as training for the J80 Europeans on Lake Garda where they will compete this week.

The team consists of 4 crew members all under the age of 24. Henry Bomby (19) helm, Henry Bagnall (23) tactician, Ryan Gerrish (22) trimmer, and Ellie Mittler (17) on bow. And for the J Cup was helped by stand in crew Robbie Southwell (16) and LizzieShawcroft (22), filling in due to exam commitments.

The J Cup saw 18 J80's racing in perfect conditions over three days in the Solent. After the first two days Team Baltic found themselves going into the final day trailing local boat Oi! by a single point. The first race saw Oi come into the top mark on port and tack too close to Team Baltic, Oi very honestly took their penalty leaving them down in 9th with Team Baltic going on to win the race.

This meant that in the final race Oi would need to beat Team Baltic and also finish in the top 2. Team Baltic knowing this attempted to hold back Oi on the start line of the final race and did so; however Oi sailed out to the right hand side being covered by Baltic, which turned out to be the favoured side of the beat leaving Baltic first and Oi second round the mark. Oi chased hard the whole way round the course but Team Baltic held on to take a fourth race win and the regatta win.

Tactician Henry Bagnall said, "We had aimed to just hold them back in the last race to secure the victory however the fleet went the wrong way up the beat leaving us in a nervous position having to hold on the whole way round."

This regatta was Team Baltic's first regatta this year, and the crew's first regatta as a team so to win was very promising for events in the future. Helm Henry Bomby said, "We came to the J Cup looking for a top 5 result to develop our communication in a pressured environment ahead of the Europeans, so to come away with the overall win is really promising for our young team."

Baltic Wharf Director Steve Mittler said "I am immensely proud of this young and talented team helmed by Henry Bomby. Despite their youth they have already amassed some considerable experience, talent and results. Baltic Wharf are delighted to be supporting this team to fulfill their sailing dreams". He added "It was clear after Day 2 that there were only two boats competing for the top spot. This bodes extremely well for the forthcoming European Championships in Italy later in the month."

With a long term view to posting a top 10 result at the 2012 World championships in Dartmouth, in their own back yard, the talented young team are well on their way to achieving their goal. With sponsorship assured until 2012 the team can focus on training hard to achieving their goal, amidst the other sailing they are involved with. Henry Bomby will be setting off to sail solo around Britain this summer to gain more experience offshore, something he is hoping to get into later on. 'While I love the inshore racing, offshore is definitely where my heart lies, so it's great to be running both campaigns alongside each other to develop both racing and seamanship skills.' Henry Bagnall a former Finn Sailor is involved with a number of campaigns including Dragon's and Quarter Tonner's as well as coaching Finns. Henry has also done tactics at two previous J80 World Championships aboard former Dartmouth boat Aqua J. Ryan Gerrish has trimmed on J80's for over a decade having grown up with one in the family and has competed in two J80 World Championships also aboard boat Aqua J and is currently at University. Ellie Mittler the youngest member of the team has grown up sailing J80's in Dartmouth and is currently studying A-levels.

The Team would like to thank Baltic Wharf Boatyard for their generous support and the Royal Southern Yacht Club and J Boats UK for putting on a fantastic event.

Further information about the J80 European Championship, being hosted by the Fraglia della Vela di Malcesine on Lake Garda, Italy, is available from www.j80euro2010.it.

For further information about Team Baltic please contact Henry Bagnall on e-mail henrybagnall@gmail.com

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