The 2012 UK IOM Veterans Championships were held under mostly sunny skies for this 2 day event. Saturday’s racing was in a light A rig SE breeze with the full length of the lake used and skippers getting plenty of exercise. At the front of the fleet Mick Chamberlain and Mark Dennis were putting in low scoring results which at days end had them clear of 3rd place. Throughout the fleet there were some very close races with consistency proving difficult for some in the shifting winds.
Sunday dawned with a light NW breeze that threatened to build to B suit at times before fading late in the day. Once again the full length of the lake was used for a true sailing test. Mark Dennis continued to chip away with some solid results which was enough for him to take out the Championship. Big mover of the day was Colin Smith after a long layoff who moved from 10th place over night to a comfortable 3rd place overall. Other skippers to shine throughout the day were Mick Chamberlain, Clive Hand, Ernie Rice, Noel Donaldson, David Alston and Bill Culshaw with high place finishes. At 3.45pm and the unlikelyhood of another full round, racing was completed and the prizegiving held in the Clubhouse. PRO Brad Gibson thanked and commended all skippers on their sportsmanship and conduct making his job an easy one.
Along with prizes awarded to the top 5 place, the following awards were also presented:
Sportsman – Brian Quinn
Top Observer – David Alston
Most Races Sailed – Don Charlesworth
click scoresheet to enlarge
A big thank you to the Birkenhead team who assisted in the running of the event:
Victoria McNulty, Lisa Reeves, Bernie McNulty, Graham Elliott, Dave Burke,
Stan Baker, Neil Westbrook, Rona Galvin and Joyce Roberts.
A special mention to our course lad Andrew Benson who worked constantly to keep the course clear and the marks in the right place.
PRO Brad Gibson
