A fleet of 27 J/80s recently competed for the UK National Championship hosted by Hamble's Royal Southern Yacht Club. Rob Larke was back competing again this time aboard J2X, his new Hyde Sails powered boat which also features the Barton Boomstrut for ultimate mainsail response.

Rob and his team sailed a brilliant regatta recording a perfect score line of 1,1,1 on the first day. A slight hiccup on day 2’s first race saw them out of the top three but a change in wind direction and strength played right into the favour of J2X, going on to score a further two first places in races 5 and 6.

The class has never been more popular in its 15 year history, plans are underway for the 2013 National Championship to be held on the East Coast of England and organisers for the next World Championship in Marseille, France expect 150+ boats.