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Category: dragonforce

DF65/RG65 2018 Series #1

Unfortunately the wind blew more from the East than the South East, that gave the 10 skippers quite a challenge ahead of them, it did blow about 12mph though with some 90degree gusts up to 18mph and some snow flurries to add to the fun.

With 6 RG65s and 4 DF65s taking to the start it was a good fleet although more was hoped for. Maybe a mixture of the rugby, the freezing weather or Malta had kept a few away but still, we had fun in the snow.

Everybody chose their middle rig to start and this seemed to be the correct choice with big holes in the wind. A long course was set with a nice gate at the leeward end and a finish in the middle.

Early pace setters were, Taylor from Scotland, Elliott and Baldwin sailing RGs and Lincoln sailing his DF. The wind was at best an enigma to all and made the most experienced skippers looked stupid at times, good old Birkenhead pox as Paul Jones would call it.

Race winners were John Taylor, Dave Williams and Graham Elliott with Roger Lincoln winning the DF race and Graham Elliott winning the RG race overall. 14 completed long races and no on water incidents all day, just cold fingers.

Thanks to our resident double act of Jack and Bernie for running the entire race and making tea in the freezing conditions.

  1. Graham Elliott 12Pts
  2. John Taylor 30
  3. Damian Ackroyd 42
  4. Peter Baldwin 43
  5. Dave Williams 61
  6. Roger Lincoln 66 (DF65)
  7. Alan Watkinson 83 (DF65)
  8. Andrew Peter 87 (DF65)
  9. John Brierley 88
  10. Sally Collings 107 (DF65)

14 races sailed

DF65 Winter Series 14th March 2018

‘C’ suit weather with the wind straight along the lake. Sally had boat electrical problems (Eds. note Again?) so acted as Race Officer and 10 races were sailed.

  1. Alan Watkinson 15 Pts
  2. Neil Westbrook 20 (2 firsts)
  3. John Brierley 20 (1 first)
  4. Peter Baldwin 22
  5. Andrew Peter 30
  6. Ernie Rice 40
  7. Colin Deakin 50
  8. Dave Williams 62 (1 fifth)
  9. Richard Walker 62 (0 fifths)

 

Last race of Winter Series – and start of New Season

This coming weekend sees the final race in our highly successful Winter IOM Series with the final result still very finely in the balance. 26 different competitors have taken part and any of the top 6 look to be possible winners.

On 17th March the main season starts with the first day of the DF65/RG65 series (See Calendar for full details). Sailing starts at 11.00 and last race will start before 16.45

A reminder that this is an Open Series, so competitors from other clubs are welcome (entry £2 on the day). Four days in total with the best 3 to count towards the final result.

RG65s and DF65s will race together over the same course, but the DF65s will be scored separately, so it doesn’t matter if you have the latest RG65 design or a MK1 Dragonforce, you can win!

IOM and M series races start on 31st March and 12th May respectively and again these will be Open races with the M Class sailing at West Kirby Marine Lake.

We are also delighted to be hosting the DF65 Northern District Championships on Saturday September 15th and holding an RG65 Traveller Series Open the following week.

DF65 Winter Series 14th Feb 2018

Once again the Dragonforce Winter Series lived up to its name, with sleet, hail, strong winds and iced over puddles on the lakeside path.

Roger panicked as he had left the bag containing his warm hat and gloves at home, but breathed a sigh of relief when he realised that his transmitter was also in the bag so he had a good excuse not to sail!

The rest of the hardy sailors  started off with “B” rigs, but soon switched down to using “C” rigs with the strong gusts causing problems, particularly  at the starts.

Despite the conditions, 9 races were completed allowing 2 discards.

  1. Neil Westbrook 10 Pts
  2. John Brierley 12
  3. Alan Watkinson 14
  4. Andrew Peter 19 (One 1st)
  5. Dave Pickup 19 (No 1sts)
  6. Dave Williams 22
  7. Sally Collings 28