Although there was only the hint of a breeze on the lake as the club was opened up at 8:00, by the time the first boats went on the water for practice, there was a good mid top suit ESE/SE breeze pretty well straight down the lake.
After a short welcome and briefing, the first race got underway soon after 10:00, but not before three general recalls and a start under I Flag. Brad Gibson took wins in the first four races before a short break, with Peter Baldwin, Rob Walsh, Simon Fairman and Rob Radbourne all making it onto the podium. After race 1 Martin extended the start line for more room and most starts then got away cleanly on the first attempt.
Fortified after the break and with the breeze holding up in strength and direction, Rob W won three of the next four races, with Brad picking up the other one. Podium spots this time were taken by Brad, Rob W, Robbie Mac, Roger Crates and John Brierley.
Racing was close all morning though with tight windward mark roundings on the first time around. The breeze did however have shifts and holes producing a variety of snakes and ladders for the fleet, affecting most but seemingly not everyone, when you review the full results.
Post lunch and the breeze looked set fair another couple of races, but then started to veer more towards the South and reduce in strength. You sometimes needed a good lead when in the front, as the fleet could bear down on you from behind on the next gust. This led to some interesting roundings at the gate with 6 or 8 boats trying to fit through a relatively narrow gap. Brad dominated the next four races winning each of them, one by such a margin it seemed as if he had been given a 30 second head start on everyone else! Martin Roberts had a better session with a couple of podium places along with John Brierley, Paul Middleton, Rob Radbourne, Rob W and Simon Fairman.
With the breeze seeming to fade and races taking longer, the intended break after Race 12 was shelved and we continued on in an attempt to complete 16 races by 15:30. In this final session the breeze did increase slightly and saw two more wins for Rob W plus one each for Martin and Brad. Podium spots were shared between Brad, John Brierley, Rob W and Robbie Mac.
Brad won the event with ten race wins (discarding two seconds and a third) from Rob W with five wins. This pair were well clear of Martin Roberts in third (36 points behind) and Peter Baldwin in fourth.
A great days racing, with many thanks to the race team of Sharon Plested, Judith Baldwin and Neil Westbrook and to Neil for running the galley for us.
The IOM Winter Open Series starts with the first event on Saturday 16th November followed by the Xmas Open on Saturday 14th December. Club racing during the Winter Series starts at 12:00, with the Xmas Open starting at around 10:15 (NoR to be issued shortly). Entry for all club events via the links “Upcoming Events”.
