Author: Peter Baldwin

Sunny, warm and plenty of wind met the six RG65’s for the first of two “pre-Nationals” racing practice sessions. With the wind coming from the clubhouse end, playing the shifts was of upmost importance in gaining a winning advantage.  John sailing his Uno, managed 10 race wins with Martin in a Pocket Rocket taking the other 2.  With the wind on the edge for top rigs it was interesting what rigs were selected and when as a first change. As usual a big thanks to Bernie for running the racing. Next week (11/9) is the last practice before the Nationals the following weekend at Keighley.  All RG’s or DF65’s (including visitors) are welcome to join us. Just book in via “Upcoming Events”.   Don’t forget that there is also a DF95 racing practice session and tuning advice prior to the Nationals taking place next Saturday morning starting at 10:00 (finish at approximately 12:30).

1. John Brierley         Uno                       10pts   10 wins
2. Martin Roberts     Pocket Rocket  24pts    2 wins
3. Neil Westbrook     Uno                       29pts
4. Charles Legg          Uno                       37pts
5. Alan Watkinson    Scurry                  38pts
6. Dave Williams        Uno                       70pts (retired early with damaged winch)

12 races sailed.

1. Neil Westbrook     03     8  points 4x1st
2. Dave William’s    233   13 points  2x1st
3. Derek Matthews   57   16 points  1x1st
4. Andrew Potter     194   24 points 1x1st
5. Simon Bates           69   26 points
6. Charles Legg          21    30 points
7. Richard Walker     39   32 points
8. Stan Metcalfe         21   34 points
9. Paul  Whaley           53  52 points

A perfect NW wind with plenty of sun met the 5 RG 65’s for the Summer Series #3.

With Neil launching his new Uno this week, we had a fleet of 4 Unos and 1 Scurry.  Although John won 10 of the 11 races the racing was tight with the fleet enjoying close racing for the other podium positions.  Lots of tuning up for the Uno fleet with significant improvements in performance seen possible.  Thanks once again to our Race Officer Bernie

1st John Brierley          Uno        9pts.
2nd. Neil Westbrook  Uno      24pts
3rd. Alan Watkinson  Scurry 27pts
4th. Dave Williams     Uno      30pts
5th. Charles Legg        Uno       33pts

After 11 races.

With a very light and flukey south easterly breeze, A+ rigs were installed on all except two boats. [167 & 53]. We managed to sail eight single lap races, and the race positions were extremely closely fought and hard won in the sometimes difficult wind conditions.

Guest sailor Guy Roberts from Stratford sailed well in his first ever DF65 races, managing a third in race 4, even with a reduced ‘A’ rig. And Sally doing extremely well overall, even though she had to do her ‘ Cinderella’ flit again, missing the last two races.

Finally, James Douglas did a grand job as race officer today, so many thanks to him for running the racing.

A reminder to all DF65 sailors that the Saturday series of RG/DF65 races are open to any DF65 sailors who wish to compete, using a slightly shorter course for the DF’s than the RG’s and separate scores kept. The afternoon usually has very good racing for all, if there are sufficient numbers in both classes on the water.

As a secondary reminder, there will be a one off Practice tune up session of racing for DF95’s on the morning of Saturday 11^th September starting at approximately 10am.  Please register via the Upcoming Events list so that we know who is likely to attend.

1. Andrew Peter       919   10 Pts
2. Sally Collings       829   17 Pts
3. Alan Watkinson   373   18 Pts
4. Neil Westbrook      03   19 Pts
5. Andrew Potter      194  20 Pts
6. David Williams    233  22 Pts
7. Guy Roberts          167   39 Pts
8. Stan Metcalf          46    40 Pts
9. Paul Whalley         53    50 Pts

There was a select turnout of 5 for this weeks IOM racing as a few regular sailors were competing away, which is going to be common over the forthcoming weeks with much of the National Event racing calendar compressed into a 2 month period.

Results

1. Brad Gibson          26       pop                             10pts   8 wins
2. Martin Roberts    22       Vanilla                       15pts  3wins
3. Alan Watkinson   23       brit pop                    28pts
4. Dave Hollom         62      Dead Reckoning     32pts
5. Charles Legg         25       Rubix                          41pts

After 11 races

For this, the first Wednesday race day after 8 weeks of lake closure, 13 sailors signed up and 12 arrived to sail. Unfortunately, Charles Legg had electrical problems right from the start so could not sail, and Neil Westbrook very kindly agreed to act as race officer and was assisted by Charles.

With a brisk West North Westerly breeze, ‘A’ rigs were chosen, and after a single lap first race, just to check we had all remembered how to sail, Neil set a two lap full length course, and we managed 8 races.

In the blustery conditions, with boats occasionally falling over, race positions changed frequently, and the close racing gave everyone a reminder of how enjoyable it is to be sailing again.

1. Peter Baldwin      63    6 Pts
2. Andrew Peter       19   16 Pts
3. Dave Williams   233   18 Pts [ 1 X 1st ]
4. John Carlin            11    18 Pts
5. Andrew Potter   194  28 Pts
6. James Douglas     73  29 Pts
7. Richard Walker   39  34 Pts
8. Simon Bates         69  36 Pts
9. Sally Collings    829  43 Pts
10. Paul Whalley        53  57 Pts