The weather forecast from a week out had strong WNW winds predicted and in a rare occurance, held true for the final round of the 2023-24 IOM Winter Series at Birkenhead.
With a number of skippers away representing the club at events abroad (Belgium RG 65 Nationals) and around the country (DF TT at Lincoln), it was an eager 6 skippers who fronted with C suits bar one, firmed up for action.
As is his standard, PRO Dave Williams had us away at 12pm sharp with a course stretching the best part of the lakes length. Early races were hard fought between Brad Gibson, Alan Bennett and Martin Roberts, with Brad breaking for a number of early wins.
The race pace was quicker than normal in the conditions with all enjoying the quick beats to windward and even quicker runs to the gate set deep in the chop at the leeward end. The first six races flew by and a break was had for refreshments in the warmer confines of the clubhouse.
Martin came out of the blocks firing for race 7 to take a well fought win from Brad. Graham Birkett was enjoying a slight ease in the wind with his rejuvenated Widget sporting a B rig and throwing no end of spray on the runs.(Best get the C rig done Graham!). Better races were also had by both Alan Watkinson and Charles Legg.
Race 8 again had Martin leading only to find trouble at the gate with misfortune that took him from a further push fir the top placings. Brad, Alan B and Graham were swapping places in some close races with Alan taking a strong race 10 win.
With 3 o clock approaching it was agreed that after 13 races that all had enjoyed the day and a close to racing ws called as the skies opened and the WNW bared its teeth.
In the wrap up it was Brad who took the day with 11 wins for a score of 11 points from 13 races. Alan Bennett took a deserved second place and the perseverance of Graham Birkett saw him round out the podium with third.
Thanks as always to Dave Williams and Neil Westabrook for running a great days racing. We look forward to the start of our IOM Summer Series on April 27 and invite anyone looking to join us for some final practice in for the Nationals at Poole the following week. Folow the link to enter or register your interest.
- Brad Gibson 42 Post Punk 11pts
- Alan Bennett 180 Britpop! 23pts
- Graham Birkett 133 Widget 37pts
- Martin Roberts 122 Chimera 42pts
- Alan Watkinson 23 Britpop! 55pts
- Charles Legg 40 K2 58pts
Best of luck to our Vane 36 skippers over Easter and our travelling Marblehead and IOM skippers at upcoming Ranking events early in April.
Pics by Victoria Gibson
