Final round of the Marblehead Summer Series saw six boats contest in a light and shifty SSE sea breeze to around 6 knots or so, all with the No.1 Rig. Racing was close with Peter Sylvester taking the early lead with back to back wins in races 3 and 4, Michael Hickman sailing consistently with 3 second places in second place and the F3 in third with a win in Race 1 and a couple of thirds. Same three on the podium in Race 5 with Michael taking the honors from Peter and myself. Four in a row from the F3 in Races 6-9, and improved results from John Hall with 3 seconds and a third, saw a change in the leader board going into the final race. Michael Hickman took the honors in the final race from Peter Sylvester and yours truly.

​Final results saw the F3 of yours truly take the day with 14 points, two points clear of Peter Sylvester with 16 points, 3 points clear of Michael Hickman in third place with 19 points.

​Next Sunday is the Southern Tasmanian IOM Championship at the Brook with racing from 10:30 AM. I will be PRO.

Wet sails,
Stuart Dawes. 

With Day Light Saving ending soon, this was the final round of the DF95 Twilight Series sailed in pleasant sunny conditions and a light south easterly building to around 5 knots by the close of racing. Eleven races sailed in the back to back scratch/handicap format provided some close racing in front of the club house. Big thanks to Rod Marshall for PRO and to those that helped to set and pack up.

A small fleet of 7 boats for the rescheduled Herb Tyson Trophy for A Class for 2016. Conditions were ideal at Montrose Bay with a sunny cloudless sky, an incoming tide, and a steady 3 to 6 knot northerly on arrival which slowly eased with patches of lighter conditions throughout the morning. Of the seven boats racing, one was not included in the results due to a measurement issue, however for his first go at the controls of an A Class, Ray Joyce sailed remarkably well. Veteran skipper Michael Hickman dominated the morning with 3 wins, 2 seconds and a third. Tank Walter also sailed well with 4 podium placings including a win in Race 4. Cliff Eaves was on the podium a couple of times and the Silver Fox Peter Darcy not having one of his better days but notching up a win in Race 6. Ray Joyce, although not in contention for the points, took a victory in Race 2 with a couple of podium finishes as well, and Kyle Stewart was up there with a couple of minor podiums.

​After the lunch break and a bit of a lull, the wind swung around 90 degrees to the west and the course was changed to suit. Michael dominated the afternoon session with podium finishes in every race, consistent with 3 wins, 2 seconds and a third. Tank also continued to sail well in the afternoon with a win, 2 seconds and 3 thirds, and Darcey had another turn at the pointy end with a win in Race 9. Kyle Stewart had a better afternoon session with 3 second places and a couple of thirds.

​Final results saw a comfortable win for Michael Hickman with podium finishes in every race and 12 points, from second placed Tank Walter with a respectable 22 points and Kyle Stewart in third place with 32 points. An enjoyable day was had by all and a big thanks to those that made the day possible.

Wet sails,

​Stuart Dawes 

10 skippers lined up this evening for some great racing in top of A rig NW breeze with a course set within the bay. One boat suffered a winch failure before racing so down to nine. The usual mix of one lap scratch & two lap handicap resulted in an overall win for Ray Joyce one point in front of Lisa Blackwood followed by Wayne Behrens & Richard Barwick. Next Thursday will be the last for this summer & will be followed by a BBQ & beer & a discussion on where the DF95 fleet goes from here. Just a reminder that the DF95 fleet moves to Franklin next Tuesday so be there.

Great night at Montrose with 9 yachts enjoying a top of A rig sea breeze with a course being set in front of the MBYC clubhouse. At the end of racing Lisa Blackwood won from Wayne Behrens with Ray Joyce third then Geoff Mathews.  It is noticable that the standard of racing is improving across the fleet. Photos on the photo page.
​Andrew Wardrop

Round 5 of the IOM Scratch Series was sailed at Montrose Bay in variable conditions from dead calm to a building sea breeze for the last few races. A solid fleet of 12 skippers enjoyed the change of venue and displayed some close racing. The course was set up in front of the club house and Michael Hickman took early advantage with a couple of wins in the lightest of conditions. When the breeze finally came in from the SE, racing was close for the 10 races completed. John Hall managed to notch up a couple of wins, with Rod Jackman, Lisa Blackwood, Ray Joyce, Team Mirage Racing all taking the gun and Michael taking honors in the last race. The score board was close and despite a few squabbles over rule interpretation, an enjoyable afternoon's racing was had by all. Thanks to Commodore David Murfet for doing the scoring and to everyone who made the day a success, including those that showed up for support.

​It's IOM/DF95 this Wednesday at the Brook, DF95 Twilight at Montrose on Thursday and back to back for the IOM's with Round 6 of the Summer Scratch Series. The Herb Tyson for A Class is on the Sunday after at Montrose if there are enough entries of at least six.

​Wet sails,

​Stuart Dawes

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Wednesday Handicap Series.

DF95 Twilight Series 11