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Strebor Open 2019

After the forecasts during the week were predicting a decent 10mph breeze to start the day it was disappointing for there to be barely 3 mph on arrival at the lake with rain threatening.  Racing got underway in at most 3 or 4mph from the East and the rain started.  The first race saw a three way tussle between John Berry, who was first at mark 1. quickly followed by Paul Allen and Brad Gibson.  Unfortunately John was overtaken by the end by both boats and Brad took the win, with Paul second.  In the second race, Paul took the win and Brad was second and Martin Roberts third having missed the first race due to the Rugby World Cup.  Brad took the third race followed by John Berry and Alan Watkinson.  By this time, the breeze had all but disappeared and so the 11 sailors (including one Scottish visitor) went in for an early drink which turned into a lunch break whilst they waited for some wind (and Paul Allen decided to finish his day).  At 1pm, the breeze had turned through 180 degrees and was now from the West and back to about 3mph.  Four more races were completed by 2:40, when the wind dropped out again.  Each of these were easily taken by Brad in a master class of light wind sailing, leaving the fleet to fight over second and third, each taken by different boats but Martin probably a little more consistent than others. A further tea break was taken, but the wind did not reappear and the event finished at 7 races.  Thanks to Peter Baldwin for running the first three races and Bernie for the final four races.  Overall Results were:

  1. Brad Gibson                    21        6pts
  2. John Berry                        12      19pts
  3. Martin Roberts               22     21pts
  4. Peter Baldwin                  63     21.25pts
  5. Lawrence Drennan         57    32pts  ((1x2nd)
  6. Alan Watkinson               23      32pts (0x2nd)
  7. Andrew Peter                    66     36pts  (2x5th)
  8. Colin McGinnis                45      36pts (1x5th)
  9. Dave Williams                   33       49pts
  10. Paul Allen                            27      51pts
  11. Mike Williams                  243     69pts

Next week sees the start of the IOM Winter Series.

DragonForce Autumn Series #5 30/10/19

A sunny, but cold day met the 13 DF65s for the 5th Autumn series race today.  The wind was from the clubhouse end which ensured a gusty A rig day which bordered on B rig.  Again our Race Officer Ernie set a longer one lap course due to the numbers sailing.  Richard,Neil and Dave W got of to strong starts but it was Kris and John that we’re steadily pulling ahead. There was plenty of close racing down the fleet with the windy runs being very interesting.  It was good to see Graham back on the water but it was Neil’s last race for a month as Malta is calling.
10 races were completed .
1.John Brierley             84            11pts
2.Kris Morrow.             94           16pts
3.Andrew Peters.          19           32pts
4.Dave Williams.        233          34pts
5.Neil Westbrook.        03           38pts
6.Richard Robinson.   01           43pts
7.Sally Collings.          829          51pts
8.Derek Mathews.        57           55pts
9.John Carling.               11           60pts
10.Dave Pickup.             86          63pts
11.Chris Weston.          194          74pts
12.Alan Watkinson.     373         87pts.
13.Graham Reeves.                       93pts.

DragonForce Autumn Series #4 23/10/19

A light breeze from the SE with a few tasty gusts gave the 14 competitors sporting A+ rigs some interesting moments this week. As the wind was changing in strength and shifting quite rapidly, judging your approach to the starting line could be tricky and there were several general recalls this week, usually when a strong lifting gust came unexpectedly.

Wins from the 10 races were spread between six helms, with relative newcomers to the DF65 fleet, Richard and Bernie each taking a win this week.  However, it was the consistency of John Brierley that gave him the win over Peter Baldwin in 2nd and Andrew Peter in 3rd.

  1. John Brierley           84         15 pts
  2. Peter Baldwin          63         17 pts
  3. Andrew Peter            19         29 pts
  4. Alan Watkinson      373        34 pts
  5. Bernie McNulty         81        36 pts
  6. David Williams         233       39 pts
  7. Derek Mathews          57        51 pts
  8. Colin Deakin               93         53 pts
  9. Dave Pickup                86         57 pts
  10. Richard Robinson    01          58 pts
  11. Sally Collings            829        71 pts
  12. John Carling                11          76 pts
  13. David Halstead         855       98 pts
  14. Chris Weston             194      104 pts

Many thanks to Ernie and Neil for running the racing and for giving some helpful tips to those at the back of the fleet.

This Saturday (26th October), there is racing for the DF65 and RG65 starting at 12:00.

 

Events coming up at Birkenhead

A quick reminder of what is going on at the club in the next couple of weeks.

On this Wednesday 23rd October, a pre-AGM meeting will be held at the club after DF65 racing and starting at 13:00.  This is to allow members to bring items to the attention of the club committee prior to the Club AGM which will be held on Saturday 23rd November.

Next Saturday 26th October, there will be an  Open event for both RG65 and DF65 starting at 12:00.

On the following week (2nd November) the annual Strebor IOM Open takes place with the first race starting at 10:00.  Please let Graham Elliott know if you plan to attend – the current entry list is here

IOM Club series #13 19/10/19

Sailed in a light NW breeze, the final event of the 2019 IOM Club Series took place on Saturday.  After 10 races, the wins were shared between three of the helms and the end result was as follows:

  1. Bill Culshaw               21       11pts
  2. Alan Watkinson        23      15ts
  3. Lawrence Drennan  57     21pts
  4. Dave Williams            33     24pts

Bill took 5 wins, Alan 3 and Lawrence 2 wins. Thanks once again to Bernie for running the racing.

As this was the last in the series, the overall win went to Bill Culshaw with 673 points, second to Alan Watkinson with 459 and third to John Brierley with 457.  The full series results are on the Current Standings page.

The next IOM event is the Strebor Open on the 2nd November (First Start at 10:00.  It would be good if you could let Graham Elliott know if you intend to enter.  Details and current entry list are here

This is followed by the first Winter (Open) Series which takes place on 9th November (Start time 12:00).