A cold gusty westerly was forecast and that was pretty much what we got for today’s IOM handicap at Risdon Brook Dam. The wind was unsettled throughout the whole day with dead calm patches suddenly changing to more than 15 knots. A-rigs were the go today - a handful in the heavy gusts but needed in the calm patches. It was a swinging wind too. I remarked to Ricky that it had come from all directions of the compass. Ricky qualified his agreement by saying that we haven’t had any from the due South but as if to mock us both less than a couple of minutes later it came fresh and strong down the bank.
 
Phil Jackman took on the PRO duties for the day and of course did an excellent job getting us through 11 races on a difficult day. Thanks as always Trout.
 
The ‘Short Boys’ pulled off a quinella in the second race of the day by finishing first and second and in a neat feat of book-ending managed another two races later only this time they took out the last two placings!
 
An honourable mention goes to Peter Webberley who turned up late after already putting in a day at work but managed to star with back-to-back wins in races #9 and #10.
 
The results sheet ended up looking like a tribute to Ian Vickers with the V12s and V11s filling the first 4 spots. John Penman and Alan Short took out 4th and 3rd respectively both having had two race wins during the course of the day. It was a day when fortunes could change rapidly and it was just as easy to go from riches to rags as it was to go from rags to riches. Not surprisingly on such a day the skippers who could manage some kind of consistency did the best. Ricky Price filled second place and Ian Hey won the day very convincingly a clear 11 points ahead with consistency the successful ingredient for both skippers. Congratulations to all!
 
Coming Up:
 
Sunday: DF scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. DF95 in the morning with button press 10:00 and DF65 in the afternoon with button press 1:00
Next Wednesday: Its long distance handicap racing for IOMs at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press.
 
Shorty

Report in from Ray today (Stu and I were away at a Race Officers Course all weekend). On that one, we found a few interesting things out that many of us had misinterpreted. I am waiting on the presetation slides to be emailed to me and I’ll share some of them to raise our collective understanding. Certainly one that I had completely wrong…..
 
A beaut day racing with everyone having a good time. It was very hard to contain Gary and Ricky at the head of the field. Great spirit all around.
 
Breeze from the NW and sailed the long course with a rotating PRO until Andrew’s boat broke a sidestay and he ran the rest of the day for us.
 
Ricky won the day today, on 13.7 points
Gary second on 16.1
Ray third on 17.5
 
Silver fleet had Simon winning today with 20pts
Phil taking second on 20.6
Andrew rounded out the three with 23.2.
 
Coming up
IOM Mid Week Handicap on Wednesday, button press at 1030
Sunday will have DF95 Scratch (1000-1230), followed by DF65 scratch (1300-1530)

A good strong, gusty Northerly was blowing down Risdon Brook Dam when we arrived for today’s IOM handicap racing. All up conditions were a bit similar to Sunday’s Winter Challenge but perhaps a knot or two lighter - just peaking over 10 or 12 knots, which made rig choice a real decision . By race time the wind had moderated a little and A rigs were chosen universally. Things strengthened a little in the last couple of races before lunch causing a few knockdowns and nose dives. A few skippers chose to suit down over lunch but the wind did settle again and the big rigs proved best for the afternoon’s conditions.
 
Lisa Blackwood brought her Nighthawk along but unfortunately brought the wrong ring box for it. She generously stayed on and took up PRO duties for the day alongside Phil Jackman. Thanks to you both for some great work today. Lisa’s course for the morning session involved a windward gate at buoys 7 and 8 which put an interesting extra decision element into the mix.
 
Similar to last Wednesday and Sunday there was no reliable best way to work the course. Sometimes going East was good as there were some good lifts off the shore but other times, particularly in the afternoon when the wind was trying to swing West, heading West was good. 
 
When Trout gave me the scoresheet at the end of the day I asked him who he thought had won and he said that he could not pick it which was pretty much what I thought too. It seemed that most skippers had a mixture of good placings along with some more forgettable races and there did not seem to be any skipper who dominated the podium. Adding up the scores at home I was surprised to find that the top three were separated by a single point. Ricky Price took out the day on count-back from Ray Joyce and I was a further point behind. Ricky and Ray were probably the two most consistent skippers in today’s fleet. Congratulations to them!
 
Coming up:
 
Sunday: IOM Scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: More IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press
 
Shorty

​Thirteen competitors along today, which was in itself a good result given the recent weather and the inclement conditions forecast for today. That said, it was a little less cold than the days prior (just 4C at the kids Soccer yesterday…)
 
After initial measurements/checks undertaken by Rod and Bodge, we got under way slightly early on agreement from all competitors.
 
Pro Rod Marshall set up a pretty standard course for us as the breeze was being kind – a stiff NW at about 14 knots with gusts up around 20 or so – right to the upper edge of B Rig.
 
Some great starts with very few being called over for the day and very little contact between boats throughout was a great effort given the blustier conditions. That said, there were the inevitable boat contacts and buoy contacts (I only hit the same one 3 times for the day…..) and it was fantastic to see the penalties done as they should – quick and without fuss.
 
We took lunch after 9 races, and at that stage, Lisa had an early lead on 16 points. Just two in front of Gary (18), who had a further 5 break from Ricky (23) in third. Silver fleet saw John in the lead on 41, with Peter just two behind (43) and Alan (56) in third.
 
During lunch, the wind came right up and there was a lot of indecision over what rig to choose, B or C. B rig won out in the end, with the two taking on C rig being a bit light on power when the wind dropped off.
 
A few direction changes with the wind after lunch – giving us some from every direction which made it hard on Rod for setting the course. Luckily that confused period was short lived and we soon went back to our initial course for the day.
 
With such a good long initial beat, it was interesting to see where skippers elected to sail, with lanes in close to shore, in the middle of the course, and way out on the other side also proving effective at times.
 
We finished off with 18 races completed for the day – a very good effort by all, given we were afforded breaks after every three races as well. The last two races had most of the fleet swap out to A rigs, but I think most possibly would not have done it in hindsight, with some big gusts blowing through, creating some chaos about the field with many yachts either nosediving or being completely flattened.
 
Fantastic to see though the results that we had 8 skippers sharing race wins for the day, including one from Silver Fleet (Peter took out a 1st and 2nd before rigging issues finished his day).
 
The deserved winner of the Regatta today was Lisa, running out clearly in front on just 35 points. Supremely consistent with a 5 as one of her drops for the day.
 
The next three spots were very close.
 
Gary took out second place on 54 points.
 
Just two further afield was yours truly on 56 points, just 1 ahead of Ricky in 4th on 57.

In Silver Fleet, John kept his buffer from Alan (the brothers rivalry getting pretty competitive) with the win on 101pts. Alan second on 110pts,and Ted taking third on 118pts.
 
A great days sailing with a good amount of breeze for us to really test our B rigs out.
 
Big thanks today, to Rod for opting out of sailing and doing the Pro job instead. Calm, measured and efficient the entire day. Thanks also to Phil Turnbull and Simon for helping with observing through the day.
 
We also had Grant Wise along again today, taking some photos of the sailing. They can be found on our RC Sailing Tas Facebook page, which is viewable whether you have a FB account or not.

Today’s IOM Handicap Shield event started in very cool conditions but a delightful Northerly of nearly 10 knots made the thirteen skippers keen for a good days racing. The wind did moderate gradually throughout the day but even at the close of the day we had a steady 3 or 4 knots (and bright sunshine) and so all up great conditions for sailing. 
 
The wind did carry some gusts, lifts and knocks. On the long beat up the dam it was always difficult to tell whether to head west where there seemed to be more pressure or come to the east as there were some generous lifts to hunt. The leg from the gate to the finish line was generally an easier decision as rounding buoy 1 and coming to the shore seemed to pay most times but you did have to take your chances if you sailed too close to the shore weed line. 
 
It was so good to see Phil Jackman back with a transmitter in hand and boat on the water. Trout sailed to his usual great form finishing a creditable 4th overall with a swag of 3rd places and a nice race win too. 
 
Third place was taken by Peter Sylvester who had his boat beautifully set up and had more boat speed than most others. Peter Turner finished second with 6 podium finishes from the 12 races today. The clear winner was Gary McCarthy who was clearly the best on the course still competing in the final races after having raised his handicap penalty o 85 seconds. Congratulations to the Peter’s and Gary.
 
Today was a great work out for Sunday’s IOM ranking event - the Mid-Winter Regatta. If you have not entered yet and intend to, then you need to enter on line AND pay before close of business on Friday! Measuring and inspection will be from 9:00, briefing at 10:15 and a 10:30 button press
 
Coming Up;
Sunday: IOM Mid-Winter Regatta for IOMs at Risdon Brook Dam 10:30 button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press
 
Shorty

With a bit of wind the last few days, it was hoped that some may remain for today’s IOM Scratch.
 
Unfortunately, it didn’t and for most of the day, the dam was glassed over. That said, just above the water was a small amount of pressure, just enough to create a wake with the yachts, but no more than that.
 
I seriously doubt any decks on the boats got wet today.
 
That said, we did get away on time with 12 competing for the day. A lot of dead spots, and quite a few occasions of the backmarker bringing the wind up to everyone else.
 
We started with a rotating Pro system hat has worked well in the past, but after a few races, the frustration of the wind got to me and I Pro’d the rest of the day, with some help from Stu in the latter part of it (thanks Stu).
 
Those that Pro’d before I took it on got average points for their efforts, which is why some sailors had partial points applied.
 
Although frustrating with the lack of wind, and large shifts the cream still rose to the top – showing the real skill of really light weather sailing.

After 5 races, it was put to the skippers whether we continue or not, but the consensus was to keep going , so we did.
 
We got 8 races in in the end, with generally only single lap races with the lack of wind.
 
Lisa had a great day in the light conditions, 5 wins from the 8 races, winning the round with 7 points.
 
Ricky also had a great day today, one race win by a full leg – two race wins and 13 points for the day.
 
Ray took out 3rd as the only other who won a race today, with 17.9pts.
 
In Silver Fleet, Simon had a great day – getting a 4th in the main fleet as well, winning Silver Fleet on 12pts
Andrew continued his great run in the Proteus, taking second on 12.9pts
Phil Turnbull took third, sailing his V5, on 13 points.
 
Club boats available for hire
Members of the committee have taken the club boats home to make sure they are all in race-ready condition. Some are right to go where others may take a little while to be ready.
That said, we have club Marbleheads, DF95, IOM and A Class boats. If anyone is interested in giving one of them a go, please get in touch with anyone on the committee and we’ll get you on to the right person with the boat to have a go.
We have decided not to have the boats generally available as over time, they end up needing work done to keep them in race-ready condition and instead we intend to hire them out for a period of time, where the hirer agrees to keep the boat in race-ready condition up to the point of handing the boat back to the club.
 
Coming up
Wednesday is IOM Mid Week Handicap at the Dam, button press at 1030
Next Sunday is Mid Winter Regatta at the Dam. Button press is at 1030 (briefing at 1015). If you have not yet entered, please get your entries in before they close at 5pm on Friday. Please bring along certificates, and be ready for checks/weighing on the day.
 
Callout for Pro for Next Sunday – If you aren’t sailing but would like to help out, we have not yet had the PRO confirmed, so we would love to hear from you. Please contact either Ray or myself if you’d like to help.
 
Kyle
 

A gloomy mist hung over the reflective waters of Risdon Brook Dam and while it looked special and felt ‘atmospheric’ conditions were better suited to filming a murder mystery thriller than they were to sailing DF95’s. Yet PRO Andrew Wardrop did get us underway and we managed to complete two races and another practice one before calling it off at lunch time.
 
Even though drifting around isn’t that thrilling it was still good to get out there and share some good banter with the other skippers. We welcomed guest Dennis Bowden today. Dennis is a regular with the Puddleduck group and was hoping to test his skills at a bigger and windier venue. It isn’t always like this Dennis! New member Andrew Roberts had his first race with the club today too. Andrew had his black hulled #153 DF95 sailing very fast and showed us today that he means business. Andrew won the ‘practice race’ and finished well in the two actual races we had. (See results below)
 
With only 2 races completed the results cannot be counted as an official event. There must be a minimum of 4 races before results count. So todays results are not official and do not count towards the seasons total but are presented for your interest only.
 
A bit of a pity as 16 starters was a good fleet especially at this time of the year. (In fact there were17 skippers including Jammy who had electrical issues and could not compete.) Still there is always good racing ahead.
 
Thanks to Ray Joyce for the photos!
 
Coming Up:
Sunday: IOM scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam (Handicap Shield Day). 10:30 button press
 
Shorty

A cold morning at the Brook today – very cold.
 
The sailors stopped complaining about cold, and then stinging fingers after about half an hour – only because they had become numb from the icy breeze….

We had Ray and Ricky along today to help with the PRO duties, and Ray had us running right on the 10am buzzer.
 
Five skippers on the water today, with Bodge taking charge of the club oat for the day.
 
A very light Northerly to start with , with a few oscillations to the west and south as the day went on.

Stu shot out of the blocks early, certainly showing there was heaps of life left in the trusty Venom – easily matching the Blisters as the day wore on. Even a few races in a row with an OCS and a start buoy contact not being enough to hold him back (won both from memory). A magnificent day from him, showing us all how to sail the light airs at the dam, with a few instances rocketing from last place at the  downwind mark (when we were racing in reverse on the west and southerly wind changes), to blast past the entire fleet on far superior knowledge and management of the changing wind patterns. Having to drop a 3rd and 2nd place only during the day, it was no surprise that Stu won the day very convincingly on just 10 points
 
Thirteen points behind in second was yours truly – a mixed bag of a day, with a number of maintenance and idiot issues such as flat batteries, topping lift coming adrift from the jib boom and main luff eyelet catching on the sidestay (yes, it can happen so I found out) contributing to a lot of inconsistencies for the day. Lucky really to hold on to second with 23 points.
 
In third today, was John Hall, who had quite a consistent day overall, with 7 podium positions from the 12 races and finishing off with a pair of seconds.
 
It was great having Bodge giving the club A Class a sail, and with news we have another yacht joining the club very soon, the class looks to be increasing the interest amongst the sailors. Before long, we might be seeing close to 10 boats on the water, which will be fantastic.
 
Coming up
 
Wednesday is DF95 Mid Week Handicap at the dam, button press at 1030
 
Next Sunday will be IOM Scratch Winter Series Round 3 at the dam – button press at 10am. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to fill in as PRO for this one. Please contact Ray or myself if you’re interested.
 
Kyle

There was not much wind about at Risdon Brook Dam for today’s IOM Super Wednesday. Less than one knot with often very glassy reflections. That said it does not take a lot of wind to get a IOM boat sailing and we were moving slowly but consistently throughout the day without ever being totally becalmed. 
 
PRO Phil Jackman did a great job setting realistic courses for the conditions. Trout has made huge efforts to be at each event week after week as he recovers from surgery. We do thank you immensely Trout and hope that you will be racing soon.
 
Being a Super Wednesday we divided the day into two parts - sailing a mini handicap series in the morning before having a scratch series after lunch. One of the reasons we are trialing this is to give those skippers who don’t usually turn up for scratch events a chance to try the format and gain valuable start practice so that they can feel confident participating in a scratch or ranking event.
 
Wayne Behrens launched his new Proteus design 3D printed boat today. The all white colour looked great and made it distinctive in the fleet. And that wasn’t the only thing that made it distinctive - it was a flyer. Wayne was out the front most of the day even when racing off equal highest handicap of 65 sec in the morning series. It was a very impressive debut.
 
David Woolley did triumph the morning’s handicap series though in a count back decision ahead of Wayne. Sheep made really good use of the clean air ahead of the pack and streaked away to win two races in the morning series. Ian Hey filled the third podium spot, the position was also decided on count back in a tie with Andrew Wardrop.
 
The afternoon scratch session produced a scoresheet which is of interest to numbers nurds like myself. Both Wayne Behrens and Ray Joyce finished equal on points and could not be untied by count back as after discards were allowed they had exactly the same results! This situation is very rare and is only likely to happen when you have a small number of competitors sailing a small number of races. After checking this with ‘higher authorities’ (Kyle) I found out that if skippers have identical scoresheets (and count back cannot decide a winner) the HMS point system awards the win to the skipper who performed best in the last race of the day. - Congratulations Buzzy, well sailed Ray, and a great effort by John Hall picking up third place overall in the series.
 
COMING UP! 
Sunday:  A Class at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: DF95 Handicap Racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press.

​Predictions of a very light wind today, but on arrival at the dam, we had a wonderful Katabatic blowing straight down the dam for us, around 8 knots initially.
 
On setting up the yachts, Stu unfortunately found that he had an electrical problem that was not fixable and volunteered to PRO the day for us – thanks Stu.
 
It was great to see a new Sunday sailor in Charlie Mansfield having a sail today. A member form many years ago and has recently returned – sailing Les Hanson’s Cheinz. We also had Murray Willis sailing with us again who came down from Launceston to give his V10 a run
 
A nice on-time start for all and the eleven sailors got under way in some pretty ideal conditions. A few little shifts here and there and next to no gusts blowing down. Quite tactical racing with a lot of options to consider – sail in close and try to get a lift, safety in the middle of the course, or further out to get the big lefty and lift right to the windward mark. Similarly, the gate had equal opportunity for us to chose how we were going to strategize our beat to the finish line.
 
After the first 4 races, it started to become apparent who brought it today, with Lisa, Ray, Kyle and Ricky all starting the day with great consistency. Things were also tight in the middle of the field with Bodge, Rod and Andrew having a close set of races as well.
 
It was great to See Simon break through almost to the podium on a race to score his first 4th race position. Time and patience will soon get him closer again.
 
With Stu’s excellent time management, we got in 11 races for the day and with one race to go, there was just 3 points between the top 4 places.
 
Ray had a blinder in the last, taking a good lead and holding to the finish to earn him the win for the round as well on 20 points. A great day sailing Ray.
Second place was Kyle, just two behind on 22 – wonderfully consistent in the first half with just a 1 and 2’s but fell back a bit when the breeze softened and the much more skilled light weather sailors stepped up.
Ricky Price took third, just one adrift on 23 – taking three wins in a row and really settling in to the lighter conditions.
Lisa was one further back in 4th on just 24 points, also revelling in the lighter conditions.
 
In Silver Fleet, it was a tight contest at the head of the fleet with Rod and Andrew.
Rod taking first place on 15 points.
Andrew, still finding extra with the Proteus, taking second just 3 behind on 18 points.
Simon took third place on 27, which is from my understanding  his first podium finish in the IOM Class. Awesome stuff Simon.
 
A really enjoyable days sailing with some fantastic duels on the water.

Grant Wise came along again today and took some fantastic photos of the sailing. As always, thanks Grant for sharing.
 
Coming Up
 
Wednesday – Super Wednesday IOM Handicap, button press at 1030
Sunday – A Class scratch, button press at 1000
 
If you’d like to have a look at the A Class boats in action and help us with PRO on the day, can you please let Kyle or Ray know.