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Author: Peter Baldwin

DragonForce Autumn Series #11 11/12/19

There was a light breeze as the 16 sailors started to arrive (including two very welcome visitors in the form of Gary and Mike Benson from Fleetwood). However, by the time 11:00 arrived, it had all but disappeared and there were no ripples on the lake.  The breeze proved to be fitful and from just about any direction accompanied by light rain for the hour that it took to complete the first four races.  At this point, the top 4 were very close as Neil had two wins and sat on 6 points, Peter one win with 7 points, Richard with one win and 8 points and finally John no wins and 8 points

It was then agreed to call a halt and have a warming drink and take stock on conditions.  Another race was run but with only 12 sailors, after a few had decided to call it a day due to minimal wind and the rain.  Conditions had not however improved and as it was now past one o’clock everyone agreed to call it a day at 5 races.  The extra race did however change the results at the top and the final positions were:

  1. Peter Baldwin            63            8pts
  2. John Brierley               84          10pts
  3. Neil Westbrook          03           11pts
  4. Alan Watkinson        23            13pts
  5. Richard Robinson     01            16pts
  6. Dave Williams           233          24pts
  7. John Carling                  11           28pts
  8. Garry Benson                68         33pts
  9. Sally Collings               829        34pts
  10. Andrew Peter                919        37pts   (1x4th)
  11. Colin Deakin                   93         37pts    (0x4th)
  12. Richard Walker              39         39pts
  13. Chris Weston                 194         42pts
  14. Mike St Paer                     35         47pts
  15. Don Mackinnon            933        66pts
  16. Mike Benson                   883       68pts

Next Wednesday (18th December) will be the 12th and last race in the Autumn DF65 series.  We then restart with the Winter series on Wednesday 8th January.

Winter IOM Series #2 Sat 7/12/19

There was a light SSW breeze at the start of this weeks racing for the IOM Winter Series No 2.  Marks were set out for a course that was probably going to be zig-zagging across the lake, but by the time we were ready to race, the wind had straightened enough to set a course over the length of the lake.  Thirteen boats (including 5 visitors with one in his very first IOM race) signed on and were ready to start racing at 12:00.  Unfortunately Chris Chatfield had winch issues soon after putting his boat on the water and had to sit out some of the earlier races until loaned a spare boat by John Berry.

Current IOM National Champion Rob Walsh proved to be the one to beat this week, with good boat speed off the start line and often arriving first at the windward mark.  Although pushed hard by the chasing bunch, he won 6 of the 10 races, with 3 going to Graham Elliott and one to David Potter.

Racing was close throughout the fleet with places often changing right up to the finish line, depending on whether your boat saw a short gust or sat in little or no wind just metres away.

Thanks once again to Bernie and Jack for running the racing, with Bernie busy on the start line at times with something like 6 general recalls in the ten races with sudden gusts spoiling what might have been a clear start.

  1. Rob Walsh                  25        11pts
  2. Graham Elliott           9        17pts
  3. Martin Roberts        22        26pts
  4. John Brierley            84        27pts
  5. David Potter             20        33pts
  6. Peter Baldwin           63       39pts
  7. Alan Watkinson       23       52pts
  8. Neil Westbrook         03      55pts
  9. Dave Williams           33     56pts
  10. John Berry                   23     66pts
  11. Mike Williamson      43     71pts
  12. Tony Woods             195     91pts
  13. Chris Chatfield          12    105pts

Next week (14th December) is the IOM Xmas Open – start time 10:30.  All welcome – more details and entry list here

DragonForce Autumn Series #10 4/12/19

A sunny morning met the 12 DF65S with the wind coming from the clubhouse end in perfect A+ sailing conditions.It was decided due to the number of entries to move to the IOM course to include a gate at the leeward end.With the longer start line and the windward mark and spreader
mark half way up the lake,the fleet was well spread out.
In race 1 Sally continued her good form from last week with a win.Neil,fresh back from Malta had a good series finishing 2nd overall with Alan edging out a close bunch of sailors to take the remaining podium position.  An excellent mornings racing .

1. John Brierley               84    9pts
2. Neil Westbrook          03   25pts
3. Alan Watkinson       373   32pts
4. Richard Robinson     01   34pts
5. Dave Williams          233   35pts
6. Sally Collings           829   36pts
7. Derek Matthews        57    43pts
8. Dave Pickup                86    58pts 1 x 1st
9. Mike St Paer               35     58pts
10.John Carling               11      65pts
11.Don McClarn            933     75pts
12. Dave Halstead        855     85pts.

Again we were indebted to Ernie for running the racing.

IOM Racing over the next few weeks

The second race of the IOM Winter series will take place on Saturday 7th December starting at 12:00. Entries on the day.

Then on the following Saturday 14th December, the IOM Christmas Open takes place.  As of 28/11/19, there are 7 entries.  Further details, NoR and a list of entries are available here. To give the club an idea of numbers, it would be helpful if you can advise Graham Elliott of your entry before the day, but entries on the day are always welcome.