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Author: Peter Baldwin

DragonForce Summer Series #8 21/8/19

The wind was everywhere but mainly from over the top of the houses. Kris really got on top of the conditions and had a very convincing score-sheet.
10 races were held with thanks to Sally and Ernie for their help in running the races.
Our Club President made a welcome appearance if a little late, missing the first 4 races, but still put on a commendable performance for his first time with a radio boat.
1st.   Kris Morrow.            16pts
2nd. John Brierley.          17pts
3rd.   Neil Westbrook.    18 pts
4th.   Andrew Peter.        23 pts
5th.   Alan Watkinson.    39 pts
6th.   Richard Walker.     42 pts
7th.   Bernie McNulty.     51pts
8th.   Dave Pickup.            55pts
9th.   David Halstead.      58pts

RG65/DF65 Race #3 17/8/19

Six RG65 and three DF65 sailors turned out to sail this week, including two welcome DF65 visitors from Gresford.  There was a good breeze down the lake from the WNW, leading to plenty of discussion about whether it was an A or B breeze for the RG65 (or perhaps an A or A- depending on your rig wardrobe).  All of the DF65’s opted for an A rig to start with. John Brierley had a good start with a 1,2,1 in the first three races until Graham Elliott found his form and won the next four races until there was a break for lunch and a change of batteries for everyone. Andrew Peter had the best morning from the DF65 sailors with visitors Rob Andrew and David Bradley taking a few wins between them.  Andrew gave some setup tips to both visitors and racing was very close between them later in the morning.

Having started with a good sailing breeze straight down the lake at the start of the day, it had changed to be well across the lake by the second session, giving a delay whilst the course was angled diagonally across the lake to provide the chance of a windward leg.  Graham carried on his winning form from the morning, gaining six wins from the next 8 races sailed, narrowly missing out to Peter Baldwin in those two.  Andrew also had the lions share of wins  in the DF65 fleet during the afternoon.

Thanks go to Bernie for scoring during the day assisted by Neil after problems forced his early retirement.

The next RG65/DF65 racing day is on Saturday 31st August starting at 11am.

  1. Graham Elliott        Electronica            9       16pts
  2. Peter Baldwin          Pocket Rocket      63     26pts
  3. John Brierley            Pocket Rocket      84     38pts
  4. Dave Williams          Pocket Rocket      33      52pts
  5. Alan Watkinson       Pocket Rocket     23       53pts
  6. Neil Westbrook        Pocket Rocket     103     82pts

DF65

  1. Andrew Peter           919         15pts
  2. David Bradley            98         23pts
  3. Rob Andrews             835        40pts

DragonForce Summer Series #7 14/8/19

After a short delay (and a hot drink) due to a heavy shower passing through, sailing got underway by 11:15 with the majority of the fleet opting to sail in A+ rigs.  There were a few strong gusts that caused the boats with A+ rigs to nose dive, but most survived unscathed.  The day was setting up to be a close battle between John and Peter, but John had to retire from racing during race 6, leaving  Peter with a clutch of 4 wins and the overall win. Neil picked up 2 in his A rig, with Dave W, Alan and Andrew all getting single race wins.  The final placings after 10 races were:

  1. Peter Baldwin               63         15pts
  2. Alan Watkinson          373        22pts
  3. Neil Westbrook             03        27pts
  4. Andrew Peter               919        28 pts
  5. John Brierley                  84        36 pts      (1x1st and 4x2nd)
  6. Dave Williams               233       36pts       (1x1st and 1x2nd)
  7. Derek Matthews            57       40pts
  8. Dave Pickup                    86       49pts

Thanks once again to Ernie and Sally for running the races and the scoring for the day.

DragonForce Summer Series #6 7/8/19

With winds forecast to be in the mid teens and gusting strongly as the skippers arrived, everyone opted to sail in their A rig, only to find that for most of the morning, it was more like A+ wind.  A heavy shower at the halfway point in racing led to a tea break whilst the weather cleared.  Unfortunately the wind went with the weather and when racing re-started, there was a very light breeze, which fortunately increased after this enforced break.

John once again took the day with eight wins out of the ten sailed, with only Peter managing to take two from him, although some of the finishes were very close.

  1. John Brierley           84             8pts
  2. Peter Baldwin          63            15pts
  3. Andrew Peter          919           24pts
  4. Dave Williams         233          29pts
  5. Alan Watkinson      373          32pts
  6. Dave Pickup               86           44pts
  7. David Halstead        855          56pts

DragonForce Summer Series #5 31/7/19

There was a decent A rig Westerly breeze down the lake this week for the 7 sailors, which made a change from the norm of A+.  Racing was very close in nearly every race with place changes on the final beat into the finish often affecting the race outcome.  If a tack was not completed cleanly (usually due to a wind shift as the tack was made), a number of places could easily be lost.  John ended up as the clear winner with 7 wins from the 10 races sailed, with Peter second with 2 wins and Dave Williams a consistent 3rd.

Thanks once again to Ernie and Sally for running the races and scoring.

  1. John Brierley             84        9pts
  2. Peter Baldwin            63       18pts
  3. Dave Williams          233       25pts
  4. Andrew Peter            919       26pts
  5. Neil Westbrook          03        33pts
  6. Alan Watkinson        233       37pts
  7. Colin Deakin                93        50pts