A very wet and millpond conditions met the 4 RG65s and 6 DF65s for a joint afternoons racing at Birkenhead. The wind barely got above a zephyr all afternoon but in the end 8 races were completed with the wind generally from the NW.
Author: Peter Baldwin
DragonForce Autumn Series #4 23/10/19
A light breeze from the SE with a few tasty gusts gave the 14 competitors sporting A+ rigs some interesting moments this week. As the wind was changing in strength and shifting quite rapidly, judging your approach to the starting line could be tricky and there were several general recalls this week, usually when a strong lifting gust came unexpectedly.
Wins from the 10 races were spread between six helms, with relative newcomers to the DF65 fleet, Richard and Bernie each taking a win this week. However, it was the consistency of John Brierley that gave him the win over Peter Baldwin in 2nd and Andrew Peter in 3rd.
- John Brierley 84 15 pts
- Peter Baldwin 63 17 pts
- Andrew Peter 19 29 pts
- Alan Watkinson 373 34 pts
- Bernie McNulty 81 36 pts
- David Williams 233 39 pts
- Derek Mathews 57 51 pts
- Colin Deakin 93 53 pts
- Dave Pickup 86 57 pts
- Richard Robinson 01 58 pts
- Sally Collings 829 71 pts
- John Carling 11 76 pts
- David Halstead 855 98 pts
- Chris Weston 194 104 pts
Many thanks to Ernie and Neil for running the racing and for giving some helpful tips to those at the back of the fleet.
This Saturday (26th October), there is racing for the DF65 and RG65 starting at 12:00.
Events coming up at Birkenhead
A quick reminder of what is going on at the club in the next couple of weeks.
On this Wednesday 23rd October, a pre-AGM meeting will be held at the club after DF65 racing and starting at 13:00. This is to allow members to bring items to the attention of the club committee prior to the Club AGM which will be held on Saturday 23rd November.
Next Saturday 26th October, there will be an Open event for both RG65 and DF65 starting at 12:00.
On the following week (2nd November) the annual Strebor IOM Open takes place with the first race starting at 10:00. Please let Graham Elliott know if you plan to attend – the current entry list is here
IOM Club series #13 19/10/19
Sailed in a light NW breeze, the final event of the 2019 IOM Club Series took place on Saturday. After 10 races, the wins were shared between three of the helms and the end result was as follows:
- Bill Culshaw 21 11pts
- Alan Watkinson 23 15ts
- Lawrence Drennan 57 21pts
- Dave Williams 33 24pts
Bill took 5 wins, Alan 3 and Lawrence 2 wins. Thanks once again to Bernie for running the racing.
As this was the last in the series, the overall win went to Bill Culshaw with 673 points, second to Alan Watkinson with 459 and third to John Brierley with 457. The full series results are on the Current Standings page.
The next IOM event is the Strebor Open on the 2nd November (First Start at 10:00. It would be good if you could let Graham Elliott know if you intend to enter. Details and current entry list are here
This is followed by the first Winter (Open) Series which takes place on 9th November (Start time 12:00).
Strebor IOM Open – Date Change to 2/11/19
Please note that the date of the Strebor Open was incorrect in the Calendar and has now been changed to Saturday 2nd November with a first Race start time of 10:00.
The Notice of Race is available to view here.
Entries as per NoR to Graham Elliott, whose contact details are contained in the NoR and are listed on the contacts page. To gauge entry numbers it would be useful if you could advise Graham of entry before the 2/11/19.
DragonForce Autumn Series #3 16/10/19
After a bumper turnout last week, only 8 sailors made it to the start line this week for a host of reasons including last minute gear failure. There was a good Westerly breeze for an A rig sail and the races were turned around quickly by Race Officer Ernie ably assisted by Neil who also helped with boat tuning as he was unable to sail himself.
Peter took the overall win with six firsts, with Kris second (two firsts and a clutch of seconds) and Alan third. Colin and Derek had the other two wins from the 10 races sailed.
- Peter Baldwin 63 11pts
- Kris Morrow 94 15pts
- Alan Watkinson 373 26pts
- Derek Matthews 57 29pts
- Dave Williams 233 34pts
- Colin Deakin 93 36pts
- Sally Collings 829 46pts
- John Carling 11 62pts
Please note that there will be an RG65/DF65 Winter Race on Saturday 26th October, Start time of 12:00. Visitors very welcome in either class.
