Unfortunately it was more of the same as the last RG65 Saturday racing with the wind predominantly from the SW, so over the houses, round the houses etc etc. A strong gusty 2 to 15 knots tested the sailors in choosing the right rig and most opted for a low aspect A conventional, unless you only had swing rigs that is.
Peter setup a course starting from the far side in more breeze and with an easier sighting of the start line to a mark and spreader just past halfway across and back to a gate. It was mostly a beat or fetch to the first mark, although may start as a broad reach and end up as a beat with no real indication on which tack you would finally take into the mark.
Martin and John shared the wins in the first session of 6 races, until Johns’ winch broke loose from its mount and he had to retire for the day. This left Martin to take the remaining wins, with Alan, Bill and Peter chasing hard and occasionally in front, but never quite keeping the win from Martin.
So Martin won the day comfortably on only 7 points from the 10 races, with Bill second on countback from Peter in third. The countback went all the way to their result in the last race, so a very close day for this pair, with Alan almost causing a 3 way tie just one point behind them.
- Martin Roberts 133 Pocket Rocket 7pts
- Bill Culshaw 21 Ivy 25pts
- Peter Baldwin 63 Uno 25pts
- Alan Watkinson 23 Uno 26pts
- John Brierley 84 Uno 32pts
- Dave Williams 33 Uno 47pts
- Charles Legg 26 Uno 61pts
Storm Antoni decided not to visit Gautby Road lake, but three very keen IOM sailors arrived expecting the worst. The very light wind “appeared” to come from the Clubhouse end so a course was set from the top end of the lake to the windward mark at the clubhouse then to a spreader both to port back through a gate, two laps and a finish at the middle mark as usual. The racing for the first three races was such that it was impossible to guess who would come out on top with all three boats taking turn to lead. Bill scored two wins with Alan the third. 
At this point the wind finally disappeared and an early tea break was called (see pic above). After about twenty minutes it started to rain quite heavily then we had wind but from the opposite direction. Course then changed and racing recommenced. This new course and wind suited Alan who took the next seven races with seconds and thirds shared between Bill and John. 
Considering it was supposed to be mid summer, ten races in the cold and wet was deemed enough and RO Dave Williams called it a day. Many thanks to Dave for turning out and running the racing and keeping scores and taking the few photos today.