A forecast of 10 or so knots with 20 knot ;gusts coming from the boathouse end, tempted us down to the lake to compete for the trophy of the day. What we found instead was a fitful 0-5kn from roughly the direction forecast….no surfing today then!
With the usual top guns otherwise engaged, it was left to the rest of the fleet to battle it out with in very variable and testing conditions. Ernie, Bernie and Jack did their best to keep the fleet under control as skippers tried to pick their way through the holes and shifts, the lead changing frequently. The tea break brought a heavy but short-lived downpour and…….a 180degree shift of the still light and variable wind, dampening not just our heads but our spirits. A couple more races and we called it a day just as rays of sunshine began to break through the heavy sky.
Three boats tied on points and separated only on countback, testified to the closeness of the racing. Thanks go as usual to the race team and Joyce in the galley.
As the boats were packed away, news filtered through that club member Rob Walsh had succeeded in holding on to his lead and won the 2013 IOM World Championship after a nail-biting final day…..Congratulations Rob!!
1. Bill Culshaw 12 pts
2. Dave Burke 12
3. Graham Birkett 12
4. Jim Findlay 20
5. Colin Smith 22
6. Kris Morrow 31
7. Dave Williams 38
8. Dave Pickup 44
9. Les Kewn 58
8 races
