DF65’s
Bit grey to start with for the DF65 fleet, but enough breeze to make for a good days sailing. We had all expected much more pressure based on the various forecasts, but in the event the day was top end of A+ with some lulls and a few punchy gusts as the morning sailing progressed.
The start line at the far end was pretty good although it seemed to be better up at the clubhouse side rather than at the pin, Another excellent turnout of 10 skippers, although there was a bit of coming and going as James missed the first race due to transport problems, and Duncan Neale made it later on but after only two races got a call out and had to leave straight away. It was great to welcome IOM and 95 sailor Guy Cowper to the 65 fleet, and after a long absence it was also very nice to welcome Frans back. He had decided not to sail so very kindly offered to RO for the morning.
Start 1 was pretty much on time and was won by Clive. James just made race 2 but only due to a general recall after a very confused (omnishambles? / snafu?) start which was then won by Mike. James then put in a second and three straight wins on his way to win.
As always the conditions were tricky with a bit of easterly in the breeze, and got more so as the direction went slightly right during the morning. Starting the first beat with a long starboard tack looked right but then getting back across didn’t work reliably. At the same time taking some shifts to get closer to the windward side of the lake paid off well but wasn’t entirely consistent.
Behind James there was some very close racing with Clive, Mike and John all winning one or more races. There were also a number of boat to boat touches and some mistakes at mark roundings. James ended four points clear of Clive in second, with second to fourth all within four points. Guy and Richard also had a number of good results with Guy becoming very competitive with a bit of boat tweaking input from Clive.
A really competitive day with many thanks to Frans for ROing and Malcolm for the results as shown below, plus Dave as resident photographer of the 65’s. Finishing on a slightly sad note, Sally has decided to retire from the fleet due to other commitments – we will all miss you Sally.
DF95’s
The morning southerly breeze continued for the majority of the afternoon providing a good mid range for A rig. Six skippers took to the water, a couple of regulars down but enough for some good close racing. The starts were self monitored and the finish recorded by the first home. The same course as the morning was used using the full length of the lake, to a windward mark, spreader a single leeward rounding mark and to the finish line ¾ of the way up the lake providing a good beat. Before racing started Clive gave some useful rigging pointers to Andy, Stuart and Steve which was well received.
The Southerly breeze was tricky enough to cause some place changes, mainly due to picking wrong shifts rather than holes. Racing was competitive from the start but in reality split into 2 groups, with Guy, Andy and Clive in the first group and Steve, Stuart and Malcolm in the second, although occasionally someone would jump up or slip down. Nine races were sailed in total before bad light and heavy storm clouds threatening an imminent rain storm forced a stop.
Race 1 saw close competition between the whole fleet with Guy taking the win, Andy who sailed extremely well and consistently throughout the afternoon taking 2nd which turned out to be the first of 6, and Malcolm filling the final podium spot.
Race 2 and 3 ended the same way with Clive taking the wins, Andy theb 2nd and Guy the 3rd spot
Race 4 and Guy returned to the top spot followed by Stuart who sailed well to finish 2nd and Andy with the only blotch on his score sheet if you can call a 3rd blotch.
Race 5 and it was Clives turn to take the win with Andy continuing his run of 2nds with Guy 3rd. The minor placings were being well contested with Steve Miller just about getting the better of Stuart and Malcolm, however Stuart suffered boat failure in race 5 which ended his afternoon
Race 6 and after another close race at the front Andy got his first well deserved win, with Guy 2nd and Clive 3rd. After sailing in the 65s in the morning and 6 races in the afternoon Malcolm decided it was time to put his feet up and call it a day.
For Races 7, 8, and 9 and after Malcolms retirement only 4 helms remained, the wind was probably the best it had been all day, so 3 more races were sailed. The results were to close to call with Guy on 2 wins, Clive on 3, Andy on 1 but with a bag full of 2nds it was all to play for The final 3 races were just as close and resulted in 3 different winners Guy, Clive and Andy with Andy, taking 2 seconds, and Clive taking the other. Steve Miller sailed a great last race to take a 3rd spot.
To summarise, it was a very enjoyable afternoon with a pretty good breeze providing a very good afternoons racing.
