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Author: Peter Baldwin

IOM Xmas Race – Saturday 12 December

Once again this year the Birkenhead Xmas race will be sailed in IOM’s.  There will be no entry fee, but everyone who enters should bring a wrapped gift (no bottles please) with a minimum value of £5.  These will be used as a “Secret Santa” gift for everyone sailing and will be randomly presented at the end of sailing.  It is intended that any prize-giving will be held outdoors if at all possible.  If the weather precludes this, then it will be held as a socially distanced event inside with everyone wearing a face covering.  After a short briefing, the first race is scheduled to start at 11:00.

The clubhouse will be open for use of the toilets, but not for socialising, boat rigging and preparation. The galley will not be open and please wear a face covering when inside the clubhouse.

IOM and RG/DF65 Winter Series

In the hope that racing at the club can re-start on Saturday 5th December, Graham Elliott has planned two Winter Series to take place between 5th December and 3rd April.  There will be separate series for IOM’s and RG65 plus DF65 boats (who will sail together on a similar course).  There are 8 events in each series and overall results will be based upon a boats best 5 races.  Please be aware that if the MYA is unable to confirm that Radio Sailing can restart by the 5th December, IOM Winter Series #1 will have to be cancelled.

Each of the events will start at 12:00 and racing will continue until the light fails or 15:45, whichever occurs first.  Booking will be via the Calendar or the home page links and limited at this stage to 13 boats, but increased if the MYA guidance allows it.  Please cancel any booking you make, should you be unable to make it, so that someone is able to take your place as we anticipate all places to be filled each week.

Club Closed for Lockdown V2

All members should be aware of the current lockdown measures which have come into force this morning (5th November) for England. Your committee have taken the decision, in accordance with current advice, to cease organised sailing at Gautby Rd for the duration of the lockdown which is due to finish at midnight on Wednesday 2nd December. The clubhouse will not be available for any use.

These are unprecedented, difficult times, that  we are living in, and the measures taken are necessary. We are awaiting further guidance from the Government, RYA and MYA and if we can relax these measures we will certainly move quickly to implement the changes and re-start sailing sooner if at all possible.

Keep safe everyone and we all look forward to meeting up again shortly.

 John Brierley

Commodore.

DF65 Social Racing #10 (4/11/20)

Twelve Sailors made it to the start line today, including 3 new DF65 members and our RO for the day Chris Fletcher, another new member.

A light NW breeze made for A+ rigs, but the rain and drizzle reminded us tha it was not the summer!

The final scores were:

  1. NEIL WESTBROOK  – 03 – 8 PTS
  2. JOHN CARLIN             – 11 – 18 PTS
  3. SALLY COLLINGS  – 829 – 21 PTS
  4. DON MACKINNON – 933 – 37 PTS
  5. CHARLES LEGG          – 21 – 39 PTS
  6. DEREK MATTHEWS – 57 – 45 PTS – 1 x 2nd , 1 x 3rd
  7. RICHARD WALKER   – 39 – 45 PTS – 2 x 4th
  8. PAUL LITTLE               – 45 – 50 PTS
  9. CHRIS WESTON        – 194 – 64 PTS
  10. STAN METCALF        – 146 – 75 PTS
  11. MIKE DE STPAER        – 35 – 76 PTS – Retired early
  12. BARRIE BAUGH           – 46 – 82 PTS

Well done to everyone who made it to the lake to race.

Keep an eye on the website for what will happen during lockdown – subscribe to get updates by email when any changes are announced.

DF65 Social Racing #9 (28/10/20)

With yet another day of light and variable Easterly breezes, It was decided to sail from the Far Side for a change, to give us a chance of catching some wind.
Conditions were not easy, with constantly changing wind speeds and direction, the odd rain and hail squall, and with some obstructions in the water, all conspiring to make it very difficult to achieve consistent results.
Richard Robinson dominated with 6 wins, Neil Westbrook in second and a well deserved third for Richard Walker, who had one race win, along with Derek, John and Don.

Richard Robinson      01   –   12 pts

Neil Westbrook           03  –    30 pts
Richard Walker           39  –    32 pts
Sally Collings            829   –    34 pts
Derek Matthews         57   –    35 pts
Andrew Peter               19    –    38 pts
John Carlin                    11     –    41 pts
Don Mackinnon       933    –    49 pts
Charles Legg                21     –    50 pts
As a reminder for members – attendance at all future social racing must be pre-booked  via the club website direct links or Calendar.

DF/RG65 Social Racing #7 24/10/20

A great turnout for todays’ race with the DF65’s deciding to join the RG65’s in force, it was good to see and let’s hope this happens more often.
Unfortunately, the wind was light from the houses which left some massive holes around the course, nothing like the strong winds that were forecasted and all RG’s had their top suits on with the DF’s choosing  A+ rigs.
After a long 4 races with the rain increasing and the wind decreasing, an early break was taken and after a review, it was decided to call it a day.
Race winners were Derek (2), Sally (1) and Andrew (1) in the DF fleet and Graham took all 4 in the RG fleet.
Many thanks to Bernie for standing out in the pouring rain to start and score us.

RG65

  1. Graham Elliot          55  Argon                    3pts
  2. Brad Gibson                9  Electronica         6pts
  3. David Potter            20   Pocket Rocket    9pts
  4. Neil Westbrook      03   Pocket Rocket   11pts
  5. Alan Watkinson     23   Scurry                   15pts
  6. Dave Williams        33    Pocket Rocket   16pts

DF65

  1. Derek Matthews         57     4pts
  2. Sally Collings            829    6pts
  3. John Carlin                    11     7pts
  4. Andrew Peter               19     9pts
  5. Charles Legg                21    12pts

After 4 races