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Author: Peter Baldwin

DF95 Winter Series 2023 #3 – 3/2/24

There was an excellent turnout of 12 boats for todays DF95 racing with the sailors served up an excellent mid to top end of A suit breeze straight down the lake from the far end.  After Peter had tweaked the marks for a good windward leeward course, racing got underway promptly at 12:00 as with 12 racing and no designated RO, we needed to get 12 races completed to allow everyone to undertake an RO duty and avoid averaging results.

The most common sail number at the front of the fleet seemed to end in 84, with both 84 (sailed by John Brierley) and 184 being loaned by John to Martin Roberts for the day.  Between them, Martin and John took ten of the wins, with Martin bagging six (one whilst sailing 429) and John Brierley four.  Peter Baldwin picked up the remaining two wins.  We also had a couple of guest sailors who used Martin’s boat to very good effect with them both finishing their races in the top 5.

There were some notable results elsewhere across the fleet with top 3 finishes in a number of races by Neil Westbrook, Alan Watkinson and Tony Sedgwick.  Dave Williams, Dave Howard and Frans King also had some good results after starting well and being well placed at the first windward mark.

Some close finishes across the fleet in many races, we unfortunately lost one boat at half time due to illness and then by the end another couple through unfortunate gear failure.

A great days racing, with a well deserved winner in Martin Roberts, John Brierley second, followed closely by Peter Baldwin just one point behind.

Next week is IOM Winter #4, with 6 entries so far and more promised.  It’s looking to be a strong field.

DF95 Social Racing 2024 – 31/1/24

Following on from the DF65 morning racing the wind remained from the south west but strengthened throughout the session. 8 helms including Olly Murry were on the  start line for the commencement of the races. The wind was the talk of the day coming from the houses which caused some 180 degree shifts along the length of the course as well as strong gusts and holes to catch even the experienced skippers out.
The same course as the morning was used starting at the clubhouse end, taking a windward mark and spreader to port, back down the lake to a gate and the finish half way back up the lake. It was decided to keep all 8 boats on the water and the first over the line would record the results.
The racing was well contested with a lot of lead changing especially around the windward spreader marks which if you were lucky a close fetch or if unlucky could take 4 or 5 tacks.  Despite the difficult conditions the racing was generally very close with a couple of photo finishes. Top 3 finishes for Neil Westbrook, Alan Watkinson, Olly Murray, Dave Howard, Tony Sedgewick and Clive Warren shows how close the racing was.
Unfortunately after 5 races a strong squall came down the lake and took the result sheet with it, depositing it in the water, so no results are available. Racing continued for another 3 races to establish bragging rights. A fun day was had by most with a touch of frustration thrown in, and a steep learning curve for Olly who doesn’t get to sample such tricky conditions at Fleetwood, but he still left with a smile on his face.

DF65 Social Racing 2024 – 31/1/24

A little bit of a surprise with the results today, such that the author and scorer had to treble check!

Today was a day when you think “I should have stayed in bed”, but thirteen keen sailors arrived, including a visitor (Olly) from Fleetwood sampling our tricky conditions. The wind was coming over the houses but not consistently, at times A+ was not enough then a long strong gust would appear and flatten the boats.

The usual course was sailed, starting at the Club house up to a port rounding of the windward mark, port around the spreader down through the gate to the finish halfway up the lake. Planning a good start was difficult with many boats caught out due to the sudden light wind patches. Those that planned it right were more or less able to make the windward mark on one tack due to some very good lifts. The final leg from the gate to the finish was the most difficult part of the course with many good finishing positions suddenly disappearing.

Twelve races were held with each skipper managing a RO. The racing was very close throughout the fleet no more than on the finish line with boats within centimetres of each other.

  1. Dave Williams              13pts 4wins
  2. Neil Westbrook            16pts 3wins
  3. John Carlin                     19pts 1win
  4. Clive Warren                 21pts 2wins
  5. Alan Watkinson           25pts
  6. Olly Murray                   36pts
  7. Don MacKinnon          46pts
  8. Simon Bates                  48pts
  9. Sally Collings                61pts
  10. Paul Little                      64pts
  11. John Beech                    72pts
  12. Frans King                     73pts
  13. Paul Plested                  92pts

DF/RG65 Winter Series 2023 #4 – 27/1/24

There were 6 RG65 sailors today for Round 4 of the Winter Series, with a few regulars missing for a variety of reasons.  The breeze was forecast to be an 8-10mph Southerly which would have been an unpleasant and shifty wind over the top of the houses.  However, we were fortunate to have something that was more like ESE or SE, although lighter at around 3 to 6 mph with occasional 8mph gusts and so mostly down the lake from the clubhouse.

We got away a little late after Peter had moved quite a few marks around to produce a reasonable course in the conditions and with young George Bennett acting as our Race Officer.  The first race looked to be safe for Alan Bennett, until Alan Watkinson picked up a good lifting shift around the left hand final gate mark and powered across the line ahead of Alan.  Alanbennett got his revenge by winning the next 4 races before the break, giving him a commanding lead at the halfway stage, ahead of Bill Culshaw who had picked up a number of seconds.

In the second half, Bill had three wins and Alan picked up another two, with John Brierley and Peter Baldwin also taking the occasional second from the two front runners.  After 10 races, Alan was a clear winner on 10 points, five ahead of Bill, with John Brierley picking up third place.

Our thanks must go to George for acting as RO and scorer (with a bit of help from Dave Williams).

  1. Alan Bennett          Ivy  10pts  (6 x first)
  2. Bill Culshaw           Ivy  15pts  (3 x first)
  3. John Brierley        Uno  23pts
  4. Peter Baldwin       Uno  26pts
  5. Alan Watkinson   Uno  36pts  (1 x first)
  6. Dave Williams      Uno  39pts

DF95 Social Racing 2024 – 24/1/24

With people having various commitments there were only 6 x DF95 helms which was a shame as unlike the morning racing, the wind had increased in the afternoon and was a good A Rig, increasing to B rig leading to some nose diving on the run. As is normal for Gautby Rd the wind was coming through, over and round the houses leading to sufficient holes and shifts to keep all the helms on their toes.
The same course as the morning was used, and as there were only 6 boats the first across the line recorded the finishing positions.
As mentioned the wind picked up over the lunch break, but looked a safe A rig, but after 2 races and further increases it was decided to call for a rig change to B rig. There was generally close racing throughout the afternoon with all helms recording a 3rd place or better. John C, Alan and Clive were in the main the front runners with close, and in some cases too close combat taking place, especially between John and Clive both doing penalty turns at some stage. Unfortunately Alan had to leave after 6 races which skewed his results. Further down the fleet John B, Frans and Dave (first day out and about after illness) were having their own battle but also sailing well enough  give the front runners something to think about.
Results after 8 races with 2 discards
John Carlin                9  pts         (3 x 1st, 3 x 2nd)
Clive Warren          11 pts            (2 x 1st, 3 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd)
Alan Watkinson   19pts             (2 x 1st, 2nd x 3rd)
John Beech             20pts             (1 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd)
Frans King             22pts             (1 x 2nd, 2 x 3rd)
Dave Howard        25pts              (1 x 3)