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DF65 Social Racing 2022 #8 (23/2/22)

Now on the tail end of three named storms the wind had died down to a top end of A rig. Heavy gusts had the boats submarining on the run. The wind again this week was from the top end of the lake at an angle over the houses. A course was set with the start halfway up the lake sailing from the far side heading towards the houses for the windward mark. With tricky wind shifts it was difficult to decide which way to approach.

Graham’s consistency with two first, a second and 4 thirds just managed to pip Neil even with his five firsts. There were a few gear failures and a dunked transmitter!!

Many thanks to RO John Carlin who kept the races running smoothly under difficult conditions and he even fitted in a couple of general recalls.

  1. Graham Birkett     20 pts 2 wins
  2. Neil Westbrook      23 pts 5 wins
  3. Alan Watkinson     24 pts 1 win
  4. Mike de St Paer      28 pts 1 win
  5. Richard Robinson 28 pts
  6. Dave Williams        38 pts 1 win
  7. Don Mackinnon    66 pts
  8. Richard Walker     69 pts
  9. John Beech              74 pts
  10. Stan Metcalf           79 pts
  11. Martin James          81 pts
  12. Malcolm Harvey   94 pts
  13. Andrew Potter       96 pts
  14. Sally Collings         97 pts
  15. Charles Legg        107 pts
  16. Paul Whalley       110 pts

After 10 races

IOM Winter Series 2021 #4 (19/2/22)

Well you could not have written the script for the 4th IOM Winter race at Birkenhead today. With the stormy weather still about (but much less wind), six hardy competitors arrived in pouring rain with a steady top suit wind from the clubhouse end.

The club marks were relaid after the extreme weather and all was well. Now the problems started. One no show and Charles Legg’s boat did not arrive, so five left. Graham Birkett then found he had left the right keel at home. A few humorous comments – then there were four. Peter Baldwin’s winch packed up (well actually never  even started)  leaving only three to race.

Now to the racing. The wind for two races stayed from the clubhouse end but then went through 180 degrees during one race, the sun came out and we finished the ten races with the wind steady from the west. Alan Watkinson and Neil Westbrook had a good competitive afternoon with Neil sacrificing a few places trying to recover an “object” in the lake. Once again thanks to Bernie and Dave Williams on the line and Jack for supplying warm drinks and encouragement. The spirit of Radio Sailing certainly once again shone through today at Birkenhead.

  1. John Brierley        84     Britpop     8 pts 8 wins
  2. Alan Watkinson  23      Britpop   17 pts 1 win
  3. Neil Westbrook   03      Widget   18 pts  1win

After 10 races

DF65 Social Racing 2022 #7 (16/2/22)

12 sailors arrived expecting storm Dudley; at 10.00am we were going to go with A+ but the wind did freshen and with the heavy gusts B rig was used.

The wind from the top end over the houses proved to be very difficult to judge and created many opportunities to either catch up or lose in the lulls depending on the course you decided to take. The stars of the day were Alan, Neil and Richard R managing all 10 wins between them. The most call backs on the start line also went to Alan with 5!!

Many thanks to Sally our RO who managed to keep the races on track managing a full 10, especially as there were many drop outs due to gear failure.

  1. Alan Watkinson        13 pts 6 wins
  2. Neil Westbrook         16 pts 2 wins
  3. Richard Robinson    27 pts 2 wins
  4. Dave Williams           34 pts
  5. Mike De St Paer        35 pts
  6. Andrew Potter          39 pts
  7. John Carlin                41 pts
  8. Richard Walker        46 pts
  9. Charles Legg             78 pts
  10. Malcolm Harvey     90 pts
  11. Paul Whalley          102 pts
  12. Ken Roscoe             103 pts

RG/DF65 Winter Series 2022 #5 (12/2/22)

7 skippers turned out for the latest round of the clubs RG65/DF65 series, but with no DF’s, all 7 opted to sail there RG65’s.
The wind unfortunately came from the houses for the first 4 races with skippers opting for various sail plan/rigs, some opted for swing B rigs, some opted for full area reduced height conventional rigs and some opting for full height conventional rigs. It was all about managing the vicious gusts.
Although Graham Elliott sailing his Electronica dominated the day with 11 wins losing out to John Brierley sailing his Uno in race 2, there were some decent displays from other skippers. Dave Williams sailed well in the last 4 races scoring a 3,5,4,2. Charles Legg sailed well in the later races and Alan Watkinson starting the day well with a brace of 3rds.
Races 5 to 12 saw the wind come around and blow straight down the lake that brought Martin Roberts into play sailing his Pocket Rocket, he scored 5 second places in the last 6 races of the day.
The day was definately all about rig choice and rig plan and I am sure a few will be swapping there lower aspect swing rigs for conventioal rigs.
Race winners on the day were Graham Elliott (Electronica) 11 wins and John Brierley (Uno) with 1 win. Many thanks to Jack for making the tea and Bernie for starting and scoring us.
  1. Graham Elliott      ​ 09       Electronica          10pts    11 wins
  2. John Brierley          84        Uno                        23pts     1 win
  3. Martin Roberts    133         Pocket Rocket  30pts
  4. Neil Westbrook     03         Uno                       44pts
  5. Dave Williams       33         Uno                        48pts
  6. Charles Legg          26         Uno                       51pts
  7. Alan Watkinson    23         Scurry                  53pts

After 12 races

DF65 Social Racing 2022 #6 (9/2/22)

Sixteen Sailors turned out for this weeks DF65 Race No 6 of the Winter Series.

It was a brisk and chilly Westerly breeze, with ‘A’ rigs the choice of sails for the day.  The breeze stayed steady at about force 2 – 3, with choppy conditions down at the start line and the lower gate proving a bit tricky, with lighter conditions up at the top end of the course.

Today’s Race officer – James Douglas – did a grand job of keeping the racing flowing quickly, and handled the difficult task of policing the start line in poor light on the far side of the lake. Neil and Richard both suffered radio equipment problems, significantly affecting their results today, but they will be back fighting fit for more DF65 action.

Great racing as ever, in the growing DF65 fleet, with everyone enjoying a high standard of racing and camaraderie.

  1. John Brierley            84  10 pts
  2. Mike de St Paer         35  19 pts
  3. Alan Watkinson        373  25 pts
  4. Dave Potter             946  26 pts
  5. Andrew Peter          919   33 pts
  6. Richard Robinson     901   37 pts
  7. John Carlin               11   39 pts
  8. Charles Legg             21   44 pts
  9. Dave Williams          233  56 pts
  10. Sally Collings            829  62 pts
  11. Richard Walker           39  69 pts
  12. Matthew Stephenson   85  72 pts
  13. Neil Westbrook           03  81 pts
  14. John Beech                  80  88 pts
  15. Malcolm Harvey       1019  89 pts
  16. Paul Whalley               53  97 pts