A return to strengthening IOM numbers at Birkenhead had 13 entries received for Round 4 of the Winter Series. We were a couple down with Tracey Ballington and Neil Westabrook unable to join us, leaving eleven race ready skippers.
Peter Baldwin had the waders on and set a course that used the full length of the lake with a 5-9knot South easterly blowing straight down the middle from the clubhouse end. With skippers on the Eastern bank, PRO Dave Williams had us underway just after 12noon.
Race 1 gave an indication of what was to come with starting accuracy and shift picking of high importance. Graham Elliott led the way with a close chasing pack of Martin Roberts, Brad Gibson and Allan Bennett pushing him all the way for his win.
After a startline tweak and the finish line being extended further up the lake, we were back on the clock. Brad managed to break through a tight cover from Graham to get him on the line with the leading group finishing closely bunched in the mid range A rig conditions.
Brad then found some rythym to record a string of wins leading up to tea break through managing to wiggle through the fleet in the sometimes tricky conditions.
After the break the breeze had lightened a little with results mixed in the second half of the day. Wins were shared between Graham E, Allan B and Brad. After a slower start to the day Darin found form to record a string of second places. Peter Baldwin, Martin Roberts and Graham Birkett were regularly challenging the leading bunch with only the slightest mistake or misfortune costing race wins or higher placed finishes.
There were strong performances across the fleet with a number of different designs being sailed with skipper trim and ability to read the conditions proving the difference.
After 12 races it was Brad who took the day on 12 points from Graham Elliott in second and Alan Bennett in third.
- Brad Gibson BG 42 12pts
- Graham Elliott Britpop! 09 24pts
- Alan Bennett Britpp! 180 30pts
- Darin Ballington Britpop! 98 41pts
- Martin Roberts Chimera 122 45pts
- Peter Baldwin Britpop! 63 54pts
- Graham Birkett Widget 133 55pts
- Bill Culshaw Britpop! 21 70pts
- Alan Watkinson Britpop! 23 85pts
- John Berry Viper 12 86pts
- Charles Legg K2 40 104pts
Club member Paul Plested took a number of photos during the first session and these are available via the following link and a few examples are included in this report – many thanks Paul.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vvg3TAgqJrmKNYpR9
A big thank you as always to Dave Williams for keeping things going at a cracking pace , Peter B for the course setting and Neil for assisting Dave.
Round 5 is in two weeks time and we welcome members and vistors with their IOMs to come along to join us and experience racing at the club where Champions are made.
Entry for Round 5 at https://birkenheadrspc.co.uk/iom-winter-2023-5/
