Category: news

A perfect NW wind with plenty of sun met the 5 RG 65’s for the Summer Series #3.

With Neil launching his new Uno this week, we had a fleet of 4 Unos and 1 Scurry.  Although John won 10 of the 11 races the racing was tight with the fleet enjoying close racing for the other podium positions.  Lots of tuning up for the Uno fleet with significant improvements in performance seen possible.  Thanks once again to our Race Officer Bernie

1st John Brierley          Uno        9pts.
2nd. Neil Westbrook  Uno      24pts
3rd. Alan Watkinson  Scurry 27pts
4th. Dave Williams     Uno      30pts
5th. Charles Legg        Uno       33pts

After 11 races.

With a very light and flukey south easterly breeze, A+ rigs were installed on all except two boats. [167 & 53]. We managed to sail eight single lap races, and the race positions were extremely closely fought and hard won in the sometimes difficult wind conditions.

Guest sailor Guy Roberts from Stratford sailed well in his first ever DF65 races, managing a third in race 4, even with a reduced ‘A’ rig. And Sally doing extremely well overall, even though she had to do her ‘ Cinderella’ flit again, missing the last two races.

Finally, James Douglas did a grand job as race officer today, so many thanks to him for running the racing.

A reminder to all DF65 sailors that the Saturday series of RG/DF65 races are open to any DF65 sailors who wish to compete, using a slightly shorter course for the DF’s than the RG’s and separate scores kept. The afternoon usually has very good racing for all, if there are sufficient numbers in both classes on the water.

As a secondary reminder, there will be a one off Practice tune up session of racing for DF95’s on the morning of Saturday 11^th September starting at approximately 10am.  Please register via the Upcoming Events list so that we know who is likely to attend.

1. Andrew Peter       919   10 Pts
2. Sally Collings       829   17 Pts
3. Alan Watkinson   373   18 Pts
4. Neil Westbrook      03   19 Pts
5. Andrew Potter      194  20 Pts
6. David Williams    233  22 Pts
7. Guy Roberts          167   39 Pts
8. Stan Metcalf          46    40 Pts
9. Paul Whalley         53    50 Pts

There was a select turnout of 5 for this weeks IOM racing as a few regular sailors were competing away, which is going to be common over the forthcoming weeks with much of the National Event racing calendar compressed into a 2 month period.

Results

1. Brad Gibson          26       pop                             10pts   8 wins
2. Martin Roberts    22       Vanilla                       15pts  3wins
3. Alan Watkinson   23       brit pop                    28pts
4. Dave Hollom         62      Dead Reckoning     32pts
5. Charles Legg         25       Rubix                          41pts

After 11 races

For this, the first Wednesday race day after 8 weeks of lake closure, 13 sailors signed up and 12 arrived to sail. Unfortunately, Charles Legg had electrical problems right from the start so could not sail, and Neil Westbrook very kindly agreed to act as race officer and was assisted by Charles.

With a brisk West North Westerly breeze, ‘A’ rigs were chosen, and after a single lap first race, just to check we had all remembered how to sail, Neil set a two lap full length course, and we managed 8 races.

In the blustery conditions, with boats occasionally falling over, race positions changed frequently, and the close racing gave everyone a reminder of how enjoyable it is to be sailing again.

1. Peter Baldwin      63    6 Pts
2. Andrew Peter       19   16 Pts
3. Dave Williams   233   18 Pts [ 1 X 1st ]
4. John Carlin            11    18 Pts
5. Andrew Potter   194  28 Pts
6. James Douglas     73  29 Pts
7. Richard Walker   39  34 Pts
8. Simon Bates         69  36 Pts
9. Sally Collings    829  43 Pts
10. Paul Whalley        53  57 Pts

Brad Gibson on day 3 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Earlier in the year, we covered the lockdown project of Brad who was significantly modifying his foiling moth.  The boat was recently put to the test whilst sailed at the 2021 Moth Nationals in Stokes Bay.

His participation at the event led to a more detailed article on the project by Yachts and Yachting Managing Editor Mark Jardine, who talked to Brad about the project and is something that other club members may find of interest.  The article is available by clicking this link

After a 7 week break due to high algae levels, Sailing at the lake restarted for the RG and DF65 fleets after a lake and clubhouse tidy. Thanks go to all those who turned out to get the club into reasonable shape.

The weather forecasts during the week had looked very promising with at least 10mph straight down the lake, but the weather gods had other ideas and a patchy, light generally westerly (but anywhere from S to NW in direction) greeted the select band of 4 RG65 sailors who turned out for the afternoon.  Peter Baldwin launched his Uno for the first time and had a close race with John Brierley (Uno), overtaking John downwind to take the first race win.  John then took race 2 after a close battle around a shorter course, close covering Peter up the last beat to the finish.  Race 3 started with Alan demonstrating how fast an RG65 can do a turn after electrical failure led to the rudder being hard over.  It was finally nursed into the side by the other sailors before the race could start. Unfortunately, John then also suffered electrical problems leaving only Peter and Charles Legg to finish the race in that order.  A early break was called to allow boats to be repaired.  Alan needed a total electrical rebuild and so he changed to his Pocket Rocket and John opted to sit the remainder of the afternoon out.

Three more races were sailed before light rain and even less wind led to a decision by the three sailors to end racing early after only 6 starts.  Peter took the win in each race, with Charles and Alan having tight battles behind him, with Alan taking second place in two of of these three “mini match” races.

Thanks go to Bernie and Jack for turning out to run the races for us once again.  Racing continues on Wednesday with DF65’s and then next Saturday (21st August) in IOM’s.

1. Peter Baldwin             63  Uno         5pts
2. Charles Legg               26  Uno        13pts
3. Alan Watkinson         23   Scurry  15pts (and Pocket Rocket races 4-6)
4. John Brierley               84  Uno       18pts