RBYC’s Kempe prevails to win J/24 Nationals

After a protest and a withdrawal, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club vice commodore Somers Kempe’s RHADC 2 was declared the 2013 J/24 national champion.

Held in the Great Sound in 15-18 knots of wind, competition was tight as the boats headed back to the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

It was unclear who would win the regatta, with Trevor Boyce’s New Wave on seven points while RHADC 2, helmed by Kempe, had eight. However, in the first race of the day, RHADC 2 had protested New Wave so the on-the-water results were far from final.

New Wave subsequently withdrew from the race in question before the matter went before the protest committee, clearing the way for Kempe and crew to be crowned overall winners.

Both Kempe and Boyce frequently represent Bermuda overseas in the Viper 640 and J/24 classes respectively. 

Rounding out the top three was J/105 owner and former J/24 class stalwart Pete Ramsdale in his old boat, now known as RHADC 1.  

Organisers praised the family-crewed boat Dark Star, which had an average crew age well below any
of the other boats and put in a competitive performance.  

They were constantly mixing it up with the top boats despite being well below the ideal total crew weight of 400kg.  

Organisers also thanked Charles Tatem for running the race committee. n