Although there was only the hint of a breeze on the lake as the club was opened up at 8:00, by the time the first boats went on the water for practice, there was a good mid top suit ESE/SE breeze pretty well straight down the lake.
After a short welcome and briefing, the first race got underway soon after 10:00, but not before three general recalls and a start under I Flag. Brad Gibson took wins in the first four races before a short break, with Peter Baldwin, Rob Walsh, Simon Fairman and Rob Radbourne all making it onto the podium. After race 1 Martin extended the start line for more room and most starts then got away cleanly on the first attempt.
Fortified after the break and with the breeze holding up in strength and direction, Rob W won three of the next four races, with Brad picking up the other one. Podium spots this time were taken by Brad, Rob W, Robbie Mac, Roger Crates and John Brierley.
Racing was close all morning though with tight windward mark roundings on the first time around. The breeze did however have shifts and holes producing a variety of snakes and ladders for the fleet, affecting most but seemingly not everyone, when you review the full results.
Post lunch and the breeze looked set fair another couple of races, but then started to veer more towards the South and reduce in strength. You sometimes needed a good lead when in the front, as the fleet could bear down on you from behind on the next gust. This led to some interesting roundings at the gate with 6 or 8 boats trying to fit through a relatively narrow gap. Brad dominated the next four races winning each of them, one by such a margin it seemed as if he had been given a 30 second head start on everyone else! Martin Roberts had a better session with a couple of podium places along with John Brierley, Paul Middleton, Rob Radbourne, Rob W and Simon Fairman.
With the breeze seeming to fade and races taking longer, the intended break after Race 12 was shelved and we continued on in an attempt to complete 16 races by 15:30. In this final session the breeze did increase slightly and saw two more wins for Rob W plus one each for Martin and Brad. Podium spots were shared between Brad, John Brierley, Rob W and Robbie Mac.
Brad won the event with ten race wins (discarding two seconds and a third) from Rob W with five wins. This pair were well clear of Martin Roberts in third (36 points behind) and Peter Baldwin in fourth.
A great days racing, with many thanks to the race team of Sharon Plested, Judith Baldwin and Neil Westbrook and to Neil for running the galley for us.
The IOM Winter Open Series starts with the first event on Saturday 16th November followed by the Xmas Open on Saturday 14th December. Club racing during the Winter Series starts at 12:00, with the Xmas Open starting at around 10:15 (NoR to be issued shortly). Entry for all club events via the links “Upcoming Events”.
Well, when we arrived it looked like it may be 2nd suit, gusts looked menacing for sure but in the end all 12 skippers opted for top suit.
Probably the best wind we have had all year and the IOM fleet in the club has definitely gone up a notch or two this year with Paul P, Alan, Guy and the return of big Robbie Mc and of course due to it being the Winter series we get Graham B back with his trusted Widget, how fast is that boat, he managed 2 third places today.
With this shifting top end of A rig wind, the best tactic was to get into clear air as soon as possible, even if it meant starting a few seconds late as was proven by Brad’s, Martin’s and Grahams starts, nearly always all 3 of them were the first to tack over onto port after the start.
12 races completed and all under the watchful eye of our starter, finisher and scorer, Sharon. Many thanks go to her efforts and tenacity, not afraid to call the premature starters and to have time to take these great photos as well.
Race winners today were Brad with 7, Graham with 3 and Martin on 2. Mention must also be made of Alan W sailing his homebuilt Corbie, Graham Birkett with a brace of 3rds and Robbie Mc with his overall position of 6th.
