Sadly by the time the IOM fleet launched for a 13:30 start after the DF95 morning session, the wind had faded and rain beginning to fall, leaving barely a ripple on the water for the 15 entries which included four visitors.
Dave Williams was once again our RO for this afternoon session, with a fair but keen eye on the start line. We only sailed two races in 50 minutes before having an enforced break due to a distinct lack of breeze for racing. These two races were won by Graham Elliott and Brad Gibson, with Peter Baldwin and Martin Roberts also taking podium positions.
Racing restarted at 15:10 with a light breeze and a Met Office forecast of strong winds from 15:00. After Race 3 in a light breeze and a win for Olly Murray, the wind picked up to be much stronger and unfortunately bringing with it heavy rain. This breeze was very gusty and shifty (from W to N) with occasional wipeouts on the run if you were in the wrong place. Graham strung a series of three wins for races 4 to 6 and was all for calling it a day in the rain and sudden drop in temperature. However, the RO told the fleet that we would sail just two more races and complete eight races for two discards. Peter managed to hold off John Tushingham (sailing a pre-production “Mint” design) for the win in Race 7 and then Bill Culshaw took Race 8 with a clear lead over the fleet for the whole race.
So we ended the day very wet and bedraggled with Graham winning by a clear margin of six points from Brad, with Peter just one point behind Brad, taking third place from Martin Roberts on the basis of a race win. Graham had the lions share of four wins and then another four other helms each had single a win. Unfortunately the weather resulted in a number of early baths, which rather decimated the fleet by the finish and only ten boats sailing.
Thanks go to Dave Williams for acting as RO and taking some early photos in the rather windless conditions and for our four visitors for turning up to race with us.
- Graham Elliott Britpop! 09 10pts (4 wins)
- Brad Gibson Post Punk 42 16pts (1 win)
- Peter Baldwin Britpop! 63 17pts (1 win)
- Martin Roberts Britpop! 22 17pts
- Olly Murray Sedici 183 22pts (1 win)
- Bill Culshaw Britpop! 21 31pts (1 win)
- John Tushingham Mint Yellow 31pts
- Simon Fairman Alioth 71 37pts
- Tim Lomg Mint Pink 52pts
- Robert Macintosh Venti 64 64pts
- Guy Cowper Lintel MMX 16 65pts
- Alan Watkinson Corbie 5 23 74pts
- John Brierley Venti 84 76pts
- Clive Warren Britpop! 86 76pts
- Duncan Neale MX14 52 78pts
