There was a light SSW breeze at the start of this weeks racing for the IOM Winter Series No 2. Marks were set out for a course that was probably going to be zig-zagging across the lake, but by the time we were ready to race, the wind had straightened enough to set a course over the length of the lake. Thirteen boats (including 5 visitors with one in his very first IOM race) signed on and were ready to start racing at 12:00. Unfortunately Chris Chatfield had winch issues soon after putting his boat on the water and had to sit out some of the earlier races until loaned a spare boat by John Berry.
Current IOM National Champion Rob Walsh proved to be the one to beat this week, with good boat speed off the start line and often arriving first at the windward mark. Although pushed hard by the chasing bunch, he won 6 of the 10 races, with 3 going to Graham Elliott and one to David Potter.
Racing was close throughout the fleet with places often changing right up to the finish line, depending on whether your boat saw a short gust or sat in little or no wind just metres away.
Thanks once again to Bernie and Jack for running the racing, with Bernie busy on the start line at times with something like 6 general recalls in the ten races with sudden gusts spoiling what might have been a clear start.
- Rob Walsh 25 11pts
- Graham Elliott 9 17pts
- Martin Roberts 22 26pts
- John Brierley 84 27pts
- David Potter 20 33pts
- Peter Baldwin 63 39pts
- Alan Watkinson 23 52pts
- Neil Westbrook 03 55pts
- Dave Williams 33 56pts
- John Berry 23 66pts
- Mike Williamson 43 71pts
- Tony Woods 195 91pts
- Chris Chatfield 12 105pts
Next week (14th December) is the IOM Xmas Open – start time 10:30. All welcome – more details and entry list here
