An unusually low turnout for the final round of the IOM Winter Series at Birkenhead, partly as a result of the endless events being run around the country/district in any number of classes. Those who did show, had the lake present itself in all of its glory with sunshine and mid to top end A rig conditions blowing straight down the lake from the NorthWest.
Sixteen races were sailed with each of the 5 skippers showing form through the afternoon to take more than one win. Once again, older designs in the form of the Chris Dicks Widget and the Gary Cameron TS2 held their own when sailed to their potential, taking more than enough points from the two more modern BritPOPs. As the final scores after 3 discards reveal, it was a day for keeping fast with a flattened off rig, tacking on the shift when it presented itself and avoiding incidents.
A perfect day to end the Winter Series for 22/23 and a result that once again confirms that it ain’t about spending the most on the latest kit but practice and knowing how to get the best and use what you have that usually takes the day, and the series. A truism that has long been the Birkenhead way and most probably why the club boasts more International and National Champions than any other in recent times.
Thanks go to John Carlin for helping out with running the second half of racing and enabling a fantastic set of 16 races to be run in the afternoon.
Final Scores (16 Races/3 Discards)
1st Brad Gibson TS2 22 points
2nd Bill Culshaw BritPOP 29 points
3rd Alan Bennett BritPOP 35 points
4th Martin Roberts Widget 42 points
5th Neil Westbrook Widget 43 points
Next up for the IOMs at Birkenhead is the UK Veterans Championship on April 15th and 16th. Details on how to enter and a list of entered skippers can be seen at https://www.mya-uk.org.uk/events/#events/event-details/638b0efe7591d307868a5c3a/
Now is the time to get your entry in if you haven’t already done so.
This reschedule of Event #1 in the ND Winter Series for the IOM was after Ice stopped play in December. Looking at the forecast for today might have put off a few from attending, but we had 13 boats on the start line for Race 1 in a light 4 or 5 knot breeze almost straight down the lake. There was a slight delay to proceedings whilst Neil moved marks around after a 180 degree wind-shift occurred whilst we were about to start the briefing as a sea breeze formed early. The breeze held for most of the day, with it strengthening after lunch and then dying back as the rain arrived for the last few races.
Darin Ballington (Pikanto) set the early pace with a win in Race 1, followed in Race 2 by a win for Bill Culshaw (Britpop!). Next to gain a win was Graham Elliott (Fractel) in Race 3 and then James Hadden (Britpop!) had his first win in Race 4. Next to see the front was Brad Gibson sailing his pimped TS2 with wins in both races 5 & 6, followed by another for Bill in Race 7, when we had a break for an early lunch. So 7 races and 5 different winners with 4 different designs. Key to getting a good result was choosing the right place to start and staying in the pressure. At the break James was leading by one point from Brad, with Bill 10 points behind them. In the mix at this point and close behind Bill was Rob Walsh sailing a Lintel, with a number of results in the top 3.
After a short break for lunch, another 5 races were sailed in an increasing WNW breeze and some sun. Brad took race 8 followed by another win for Darin in race 9. After a string of good results, James picked up another win in race 10, before Rob picked up his first win in race 11. Obviously eager to get to a drink at the next break, Brad gained the win in Race 12. This left the top three after 12 races as James, followed by Brad and Rob.
There was only a very light breeze from over the houses today, with some occasional pressure, but also some holes. A course was setup starting from the far end with a windward mark and spreader at the clubhouse end and a gate on the far side below the start. Boats usually had to tack to make the Windward mark, but it was never too clear cut which was the favoured way there.
The expected gales for the North West seemed to miss Gautby Road. The little wind that did appear was not consistent, initially from over the houses then veering from the clubhouse end. A course was eventually set and racing started with the 10 competing sailors on their best behaviour on the start line with very few call backs. 
Sailors arriving for the second IOM Winter Series were disappointed to find little breeze blowing and the only ripples were from the flock of Canadian Geese patrolling the lake. However the first race started with a very light breeze generally from the NE (and so almost across the lake) but with some large shifts that could see it come from the East or North during any race. Two boats missed the start and one pulled out early on leaving only seven to fight it out for line honours which went to Brad Gibson sailing a borrowed TS2. Race 2 again started with only 7 boats and this time it was John Brierley’s turn to take the win, which he then repeated in Race 3. Brad then had another win in Race 4, with Martin Roberts finally getting into a groove, winning Races 5 and 6 before a break for a drink. 
