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Author: Peter Baldwin

RG/DF65 Winter Series 2021 #6

7 skippers, all sailing RG65’s made it to the start line for the latest round of the RG65/DF65 Winter Series.
The wind was pretty much from the club house with some massive gusts that came from anywhere between the club house and the houses giving everyone something to think about.
Peter Baldwin laid the marks for a windward/leeward course with what was to be an excellent start line and 6 races were completed before the break with Peter and Graham taking 3 wins each, Graham was sailing his newly acquired Argon, Peter sailing his excellent Uno.
Racing stayed close for the second half with Martin now coming into the frame and also John Carlin sailing a borrowed Pocket Rocket getting a few decent results. In the end it was Graham that narrowly got the win by a single point.
Most opted to sail in there reduced height A rigs with a mixture of conventional and swing rigs. Race winners on the day were, Graham Elliott (Argon) 6, Peter Baldwin (Uno) 5 and Martin Roberts (Pocket Rocket) 1.
Many thanks to Bernie for starting, finishing and scoring and also Jack for once again making drinks for everyone.
  1. Graham Elliott     29          Argon                       16pts   6 wins
  2. Peter Baldwin       63           Uno                          17pts   5 wins
  3. Martin Roberts    133          Pocket Rocket     26pts   1 win
  4. Alan Watkinson    23           Scurry                    42pts
  5. John Carlin            184          Pocket Rocket    47pts
  6. Neil Westbrook     03           Uno                        50pts
  7. Dave Williams       33            Uno                        65pts
    After 12 races

DF65 Social Racing 2022 #8 (23/2/22)

Now on the tail end of three named storms the wind had died down to a top end of A rig. Heavy gusts had the boats submarining on the run. The wind again this week was from the top end of the lake at an angle over the houses. A course was set with the start halfway up the lake sailing from the far side heading towards the houses for the windward mark. With tricky wind shifts it was difficult to decide which way to approach.

Graham’s consistency with two first, a second and 4 thirds just managed to pip Neil even with his five firsts. There were a few gear failures and a dunked transmitter!!

Many thanks to RO John Carlin who kept the races running smoothly under difficult conditions and he even fitted in a couple of general recalls.

  1. Graham Birkett     20 pts 2 wins
  2. Neil Westbrook      23 pts 5 wins
  3. Alan Watkinson     24 pts 1 win
  4. Mike de St Paer      28 pts 1 win
  5. Richard Robinson 28 pts
  6. Dave Williams        38 pts 1 win
  7. Don Mackinnon    66 pts
  8. Richard Walker     69 pts
  9. John Beech              74 pts
  10. Stan Metcalf           79 pts
  11. Martin James          81 pts
  12. Malcolm Harvey   94 pts
  13. Andrew Potter       96 pts
  14. Sally Collings         97 pts
  15. Charles Legg        107 pts
  16. Paul Whalley       110 pts

After 10 races

IOM Winter Series 2021 #4 (19/2/22)

Well you could not have written the script for the 4th IOM Winter race at Birkenhead today. With the stormy weather still about (but much less wind), six hardy competitors arrived in pouring rain with a steady top suit wind from the clubhouse end.

The club marks were relaid after the extreme weather and all was well. Now the problems started. One no show and Charles Legg’s boat did not arrive, so five left. Graham Birkett then found he had left the right keel at home. A few humorous comments – then there were four. Peter Baldwin’s winch packed up (well actually never  even started)  leaving only three to race.

Now to the racing. The wind for two races stayed from the clubhouse end but then went through 180 degrees during one race, the sun came out and we finished the ten races with the wind steady from the west. Alan Watkinson and Neil Westbrook had a good competitive afternoon with Neil sacrificing a few places trying to recover an “object” in the lake. Once again thanks to Bernie and Dave Williams on the line and Jack for supplying warm drinks and encouragement. The spirit of Radio Sailing certainly once again shone through today at Birkenhead.

  1. John Brierley        84     Britpop     8 pts 8 wins
  2. Alan Watkinson  23      Britpop   17 pts 1 win
  3. Neil Westbrook   03      Widget   18 pts  1win

After 10 races

DF65 Social Racing 2022 #7 (16/2/22)

12 sailors arrived expecting storm Dudley; at 10.00am we were going to go with A+ but the wind did freshen and with the heavy gusts B rig was used.

The wind from the top end over the houses proved to be very difficult to judge and created many opportunities to either catch up or lose in the lulls depending on the course you decided to take. The stars of the day were Alan, Neil and Richard R managing all 10 wins between them. The most call backs on the start line also went to Alan with 5!!

Many thanks to Sally our RO who managed to keep the races on track managing a full 10, especially as there were many drop outs due to gear failure.

  1. Alan Watkinson        13 pts 6 wins
  2. Neil Westbrook         16 pts 2 wins
  3. Richard Robinson    27 pts 2 wins
  4. Dave Williams           34 pts
  5. Mike De St Paer        35 pts
  6. Andrew Potter          39 pts
  7. John Carlin                41 pts
  8. Richard Walker        46 pts
  9. Charles Legg             78 pts
  10. Malcolm Harvey     90 pts
  11. Paul Whalley          102 pts
  12. Ken Roscoe             103 pts

RG/DF65 Winter Series 2022 #5 (12/2/22)

7 skippers turned out for the latest round of the clubs RG65/DF65 series, but with no DF’s, all 7 opted to sail there RG65’s.
The wind unfortunately came from the houses for the first 4 races with skippers opting for various sail plan/rigs, some opted for swing B rigs, some opted for full area reduced height conventional rigs and some opting for full height conventional rigs. It was all about managing the vicious gusts.
Although Graham Elliott sailing his Electronica dominated the day with 11 wins losing out to John Brierley sailing his Uno in race 2, there were some decent displays from other skippers. Dave Williams sailed well in the last 4 races scoring a 3,5,4,2. Charles Legg sailed well in the later races and Alan Watkinson starting the day well with a brace of 3rds.
Races 5 to 12 saw the wind come around and blow straight down the lake that brought Martin Roberts into play sailing his Pocket Rocket, he scored 5 second places in the last 6 races of the day.
The day was definately all about rig choice and rig plan and I am sure a few will be swapping there lower aspect swing rigs for conventioal rigs.
Race winners on the day were Graham Elliott (Electronica) 11 wins and John Brierley (Uno) with 1 win. Many thanks to Jack for making the tea and Bernie for starting and scoring us.
  1. Graham Elliott      ​ 09       Electronica          10pts    11 wins
  2. John Brierley          84        Uno                        23pts     1 win
  3. Martin Roberts    133         Pocket Rocket  30pts
  4. Neil Westbrook     03         Uno                       44pts
  5. Dave Williams       33         Uno                        48pts
  6. Charles Legg          26         Uno                       51pts
  7. Alan Watkinson    23         Scurry                  53pts

After 12 races