Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club
A decent top end No1 SSE wind from the clubhouse this week. David Potter had a good day in his first race in this Club IOM series now at week 9 winning 6 races sailing the new Dave Williams boat. Bill took 4 wins and Neil 2 (although that should have been three!).
After 12 races sailed
Eight hardy souls ventured out in the rain for this weeks IOM club series, with those travelling from the Manchester area spending 20 minutes longer than usual in their cars due to holiday traffic. Racing got underway after a short delay to set out course marks in the light (4 to 8 knot) WNW breeze.
Alan set the early pace and had a good clear win by the end of race 1. John then took Race 2, with Steve taking Race 3 having led from the start. Being in the right place on the start line was critical to be in the breeze, as it could be patchy across the course area. Peter found the right place in Race 4 and led this race from start to finish, with Neil doing much the same in Race 5. John then found his form (and the wind) to win 4 out of the last 5 races, with Alan taking another win in Race 9.
John in a Britpop took the day easily, having finished in the top 3 in each of the 10 races, Neil was pleased to get his Widget going to finish 2nd, four points ahead of Peter sailing a Lintel MMX in 3rd. Thanks go to Bernie and Dave for running the 10 races today on a wet (very wet at times) Saturday afternoon and Joyce for making the welcome warm drinks during the break from racing.
Next IOM racing is on Saturday 24th August
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.
