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Author: Peter Baldwin

Winter IOM Series #2 Sat 7/12/19

There was a light SSW breeze at the start of this weeks racing for the IOM Winter Series No 2.  Marks were set out for a course that was probably going to be zig-zagging across the lake, but by the time we were ready to race, the wind had straightened enough to set a course over the length of the lake.  Thirteen boats (including 5 visitors with one in his very first IOM race) signed on and were ready to start racing at 12:00.  Unfortunately Chris Chatfield had winch issues soon after putting his boat on the water and had to sit out some of the earlier races until loaned a spare boat by John Berry.

Current IOM National Champion Rob Walsh proved to be the one to beat this week, with good boat speed off the start line and often arriving first at the windward mark.  Although pushed hard by the chasing bunch, he won 6 of the 10 races, with 3 going to Graham Elliott and one to David Potter.

Racing was close throughout the fleet with places often changing right up to the finish line, depending on whether your boat saw a short gust or sat in little or no wind just metres away.

Thanks once again to Bernie and Jack for running the racing, with Bernie busy on the start line at times with something like 6 general recalls in the ten races with sudden gusts spoiling what might have been a clear start.

  1. Rob Walsh                  25        11pts
  2. Graham Elliott           9        17pts
  3. Martin Roberts        22        26pts
  4. John Brierley            84        27pts
  5. David Potter             20        33pts
  6. Peter Baldwin           63       39pts
  7. Alan Watkinson       23       52pts
  8. Neil Westbrook         03      55pts
  9. Dave Williams           33     56pts
  10. John Berry                   23     66pts
  11. Mike Williamson      43     71pts
  12. Tony Woods             195     91pts
  13. Chris Chatfield          12    105pts

Next week (14th December) is the IOM Xmas Open – start time 10:30.  All welcome – more details and entry list here

DragonForce Autumn Series #10 4/12/19

A sunny morning met the 12 DF65S with the wind coming from the clubhouse end in perfect A+ sailing conditions.It was decided due to the number of entries to move to the IOM course to include a gate at the leeward end.With the longer start line and the windward mark and spreader
mark half way up the lake,the fleet was well spread out.
In race 1 Sally continued her good form from last week with a win.Neil,fresh back from Malta had a good series finishing 2nd overall with Alan edging out a close bunch of sailors to take the remaining podium position.  An excellent mornings racing .

1. John Brierley               84    9pts
2. Neil Westbrook          03   25pts
3. Alan Watkinson       373   32pts
4. Richard Robinson     01   34pts
5. Dave Williams          233   35pts
6. Sally Collings           829   36pts
7. Derek Matthews        57    43pts
8. Dave Pickup                86    58pts 1 x 1st
9. Mike St Paer               35     58pts
10.John Carling               11      65pts
11.Don McClarn            933     75pts
12. Dave Halstead        855     85pts.

Again we were indebted to Ernie for running the racing.

IOM Racing over the next few weeks

The second race of the IOM Winter series will take place on Saturday 7th December starting at 12:00. Entries on the day.

Then on the following Saturday 14th December, the IOM Christmas Open takes place.  As of 28/11/19, there are 7 entries.  Further details, NoR and a list of entries are available here. To give the club an idea of numbers, it would be helpful if you can advise Graham Elliott of your entry before the day, but entries on the day are always welcome.

Additional RG65/DF65 Open Events over the Winter

Following the AGM discussion, three more dates have been allocated to RG65/DF65 open events over the Winter on a Saturday.  The dates are in the Calendar as:

  1. Saturday 21st December
  2. Saturday 18th January
  3. Saturday 15th February

The start time will be 12:00 with no start scheduled to be after 16:00.  Visitors are most welcome.  Clubhouse open from approximately 11:00, with hot drinks available .

DragonForce Autumn Series #9 27/11/19

Mirror like conditions met the 9 DF 65 sailors today for the 9th race in the Autumn series.  Only 5 races were possible in drifting conditions with jibs flicking on the run being a rarity.

Sally certainly mastered the conditions from the outset winning 2 of the 5 races and running John B close. Dave W ,who never likes light airs , liked them today finishing 3rd just edging out Richard R by one point.  The racing was again run by Ernie and many thanks goes to him in keeping us all in check.

John Brierley            84   5pts
Sally Collings        829    7pts
Dave Williams       233   12pts
Richard Robinson   01   13pts
Alan Watkinson      23   18pts
Richard Walker       39  22pts
John Carling             11    26pts
Andrew Peter        919   28pts
Mike St Paer             19   32pts.