- Alan Watkinson 23 10pts
- Bill culshaw 21 13pt
- Andrew peter 66 21pts
- John Brierley 84 37pts (winch problem)
After 10 races
Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club
After 10 races
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.
10 races sailed. Many thanks to Bernie, Jack and Dave Williams for keeping score and everyone in order.
1st Bill Culshaw 21 13pts 5 x 1sts & 5 x 2nds
2nd John Brierley 84 13pts 5 x 1sts & 4 x 2nds
3rd Lawrence Drennan 57 23pts
4th Alan Watkinson 23 34pts
5th 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 2nd 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.
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.
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