Category: iom

Four home skippers were joined by four visitors from Etherow to create a close fought afternoon of sailing.  The Top Suit wind was generally down the lake from the WNW, but with some good shifts and a few holes to make things “interesting”.  Five people shared the wins during the 10 races, with John Brierley getting the lions share of 4, Alan Watkinson and Peter Baldwin had two each and then Howard Garner and Steve Toulson getting one.

When the scores were totalled up, John Brierley was the clear winner with Alan Watkinson second, just ahead of Peter Baldwin.  Visitor Howard Garner finished a very creditable 4th in his Widget bought for just £50.

1.   John Brierley                84   12 pts
2.   Alan Watkinson           23   22 pts
3.   Peter Baldwin               63   23 pts
4.   Howard Garner            67   27 pts
5.   Steve Toulson               86   30 pts
6.   Neil Westbrook             03   37 pts
7.   John Berry                       12    46 pts
8.   Ray Woods                       51    63 pts

10 races sailed.  Many thanks to Bernie, Jack and Dave Williams for keeping score and everyone in order.

1^st    Bill Culshaw                 21                  13pts     5 x 1sts & 5 x 2nds
2^nd   John Brierley               84                 13pts     5 x 1sts & 4 x 2nds
3^rd    Lawrence Drennan   57                 23pts
4^th    Alan Watkinson         23                 34pts
5^th    John Berry                     12                 40pts

After 11 races sailed.  Wind was again straight down the middle (WNW)

Most of the day sailed in Top Suit, but ended with last 5 races in 2^nd suit.

The small fleet of 5 boats were greeted with a breeze which was straight down the pond from the clubhouse, but with some rapid shifts that were often short lived and confusing.  The first boats out for practice were able to cope in a Top suit, but then the breeze picked up a good 5 knots in the gusts, making downwind legs almost impossible and so everyone changed down to No 2 for a delayed start.

The early leader was Peter Baldwin with three wins in his Lintel MMX, until Alan Watkinson took a win in his Britpop.  By the tea break the wind appeared to be easing a little and so after tea everyone changed into Top rig for the last five races.  Although there were a few difficult moments for most helms in this second session due to the gusts, the change to Top Rig appeared to be the right choice.  Alan Watkinson took another win in the second session followed by a win for Lawrence Drennan (Britpop).  However, with a further three wins, Peter Baldwin ended up overall winner.

1. Peter Baldwin              10pts
2. Alan Watkinson          18 pts
3. Lawrence Drennan    26pts
4. Andrew Peter               30pts
5. Neil Westbrook           41pts

Thanks go to Bernie and Jack once again for running the racing, keeping scores and to Jack for making the tea.

With a number of home boats either away at the first IOM Ranking weekend, on holiday or competing at the RG65 TT, there was a limited entry of 4 boats this week, who sailed in a Top suit breeze straight down the lake.

1.       Bill Culshaw               21        13pts
2.       Graham Birkett       133       23pts
3.       Lawrence Drennan  57      26pts
4.       Andrew Peter             66      28pts

After 12 races sailed

The series continues next Saturday 13/4/19.

10 Sailors were greeted with a light W to NW breeze straight down the pond and some decent sunny spells.  A few sailors chose to use this afternoon to get back into their sailing “groove” before next weeks first Ranking weekend at Castle Semple, making for some close competitive racing.  Picking the right place on the start line was critical and with the wind shifting and varying in strength, there were a few general recalls during the afternoon.  Graham Birkett made a rare appearance and had one or two good results during the day, culminating in winning the last race. perhaps with a bit more practice at mark rounding he would have finished higher up the placings. Martin Roberts made a flying visit  after the tea break to try out a new boat, therefore only managed to compete in only the last four races.

Consistency (as usual) was key to winning the day and the king of that was Brad Gibson. Sailing with extensively updated rigs on his Red Wine design, he managed to win 7 out of the 10 races and ending up with less than half the points of  second placed Rob Walsh.

Thanks go to Bernie, Dave Williams and Jack for running today’s racing and making the drinks at “half-time”.  The next IOM afternoon is in a weeks time on 6/4/19.

Overall Results

1. 1. Brad Gibson               2          10 pts
   2.  Rob Walsh                25        22 pts
   3. Victoria Gibson       62       25 pts
   4. Graham Birkett      133      43 pts
   5. Lawrence Drennan 57      46 pts
   6. John Berry                  12       49 pts (2x3rd)
   7. Graham Elliott          09      49 pts (1x3rd)
   8. Peter Baldwin            63       60 pts
   9. Neil Westbrook         03        65 pts
   10. Howard Garner          67       78 pts
   11. Martin Roberts          29       83 pts