Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club
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
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.
Brad Gibson on day 3 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK
Earlier in the year, we covered the lockdown project of Brad who was significantly modifying his foiling moth. The boat was recently put to the test whilst sailed at the 2021 Moth Nationals in Stokes Bay.
His participation at the event led to a more detailed article on the project by Yachts and Yachting Managing Editor Mark Jardine, who talked to Brad about the project and is something that other club members may find of interest. The article is available by clicking this link
After a 7 week break due to high algae levels, Sailing at the lake restarted for the RG and DF65 fleets after a lake and clubhouse tidy. Thanks go to all those who turned out to get the club into reasonable shape.
The weather forecasts during the week had looked very promising with at least 10mph straight down the lake, but the weather gods had other ideas and a patchy, light generally westerly (but anywhere from S to NW in direction) greeted the select band of 4 RG65 sailors who turned out for the afternoon. Peter Baldwin launched his Uno for the first time and had a close race with John Brierley (Uno), overtaking John downwind to take the first race win. John then took race 2 after a close battle around a shorter course, close covering Peter up the last beat to the finish. Race 3 started with Alan demonstrating how fast an RG65 can do a turn after electrical failure led to the rudder being hard over. It was finally nursed into the side by the other sailors before the race could start. Unfortunately, John then also suffered electrical problems leaving only Peter and Charles Legg to finish the race in that order. A early break was called to allow boats to be repaired. Alan needed a total electrical rebuild and so he changed to his Pocket Rocket and John opted to sit the remainder of the afternoon out.
Three more races were sailed before light rain and even less wind led to a decision by the three sailors to end racing early after only 6 starts. Peter took the win in each race, with Charles and Alan having tight battles behind him, with Alan taking second place in two of of these three “mini match” races.
Thanks go to Bernie and Jack for turning out to run the races for us once again. Racing continues on Wednesday with DF65’s and then next Saturday (21st August) in IOM’s.
With significantly reduced Algae levels in the lake, the club plans to start racing again on Saturday 14th August with an RG/DF65 afternoon. With restrictions now significantly eased, the club will allow non-members to join us for the racing. For now, we will still be using the event booking system and links listed under “Upcoming Events” and request that everyone uses this for both booking a place or cancelling if you cannot make it.
Prior to the start of sailing, we will need to tidy the clubhouse and site and so working parties are scheduled for Friday 13th and Saturday 14th, both starting at 10am. Racing should begin on time at 1pm on the Saturday.
This weekend saw rounds 1 and of the RG65 TT series being held at the coastal marine lake of West Kirby in the North West of England.
14 boats made it to the start line with 8 different designs on display. the wind was from the favoured NW and blowing around 13knots with most boats opting for the reduced area B rig, some using swing rigs but most using a conventional rig. The course was the normal windward/leeward gate with a distance of 120m from the gate to the windward mark that gave these fantastic boats to show off there exceptional speed.
15 races were completed on the day with race winners being Graham Elliott with 14 wins sailing his Brad Gibson designed Electronica and John Tushingham sailing his Scurry design, these two were joined on the podium by Peter Baldwin sailing his Dave Creed designed Pocket Rocket.
Round 2 on the Sunday started with much the same wind strength as Saturday even though all the forecasts predicted a significantly lower wind speed and all skippers once again opted for their B rigs. The course was moved slightly as the wind direction had swung a little to the North but we still had that 120m length from the gate to the windward mark.
By lunch time the wind did reduce in strength significantly enough for all skippers to move up a rig to the full area A rig.
By the end of the day and 14 races sailed on this slightly shorter day, Graham Elliott comfortably took the win, with Chris Elliott second and John Tushingham third.
7 different designs were on display with race winners for the day being Graham Elliott taking 12 wins with his Electronica, Peter Baldwin with his Pocket Rocket and Chris Elliott sailing a Graham Bantock designed Argon.
Many thanks must go to all volunteers that made these races happen, especially after the late change of venue.
The TT series now moves onto Bournville on 21/8/21 for round 3 and then onto Watermead the following day for round 4 before we go to Keighley on the 18/19th September for the 2021 National Championships.
Click on results to see larger version.
Photos are available in the Gallery – click on the image to view each of the 2 sets.
