There was a big discrepancy between the weather forecasted for today and what we got. Promised was 20 degrees, sunny and 10 knots plus of wind. What eventuated was 14 degrees, gloomy cloud, a shower or two and less than 2 knots all day. Nevertheless 14 skippers took to the water today and we made the best of what the day had to offer.

Wayne Behrens took on the PRO position and set courses which provided for good racing despite the conditions. Thanks to Buzzy and also to John Murrell who assisted today.

Racing was sensibly called off after six races when it looked like the wind had abandoned us. In a six race series competitors discard one race. (The rule used here is: If four races are held there is 1 discard, if eight races are held there are 2 discards, if twelve races are held there are 3 discards etc.)

It was a good day for the longer handicapped boats with top honors going to Ian Hey.  Bodge has been quite a familiar figure on the podium recently and this win follows some solid results at Monday’s Woodies regatta. 

Second place went to Kim Potter who may just have given away the winners glory by heading home when the rain came at lunch-time and so missing the last race. 

Today’s third place welcomes Martin Svensen to the dais with two wins in today’s race tally. Congratulations to all.

There is still time to put in a late entry for Sunday’s Southern Tasmania IOM Championships.

The series will be raced at Montrose with briefing at 10:00 and button press at 10:30.

Next week’s Wednesday handicap at the Dam will be for DF95’s with button press at 11:00.

John S

A strong blustery northerly greeted sailors this morning at Risdon Brook Dam. It was mostly 10 -15 knots but with some serious gusts and Westerly shifts.  Although some skippers thought about using their A-rig by the time that the competition started we had all elected to use B-rigs and it turned out to be a good choice in view of the gusts.

John Hall was PRO today and he set some great courses for the challenging conditions. Thanks for your work today John.

Some collisions and near misses today sends a message to all skippers: ' When it is blustery it is necessary to give competitors wider margins than when sailing in a steady breeze.’
Sailing skill and knowledge of the dam were key elements for success today and it was the experienced skippers who featured at the top of the table.

Third place went to Lisa Blackwood, second to Wayne Behrens (with two race wins) and today’s winner was Phil Jackman (with three race wins). Congratulations to all.

This week illustrates an important condition of our handicap system. You are probably aware that the week-to-week handicap algorithm generally moves the top third of competitors up by 10 seconds and the bottom third down by 10 seconds. But a skipper does not get a handicap benefit if they DNF, DNS or DSQ in more than 3 races. Skippers who turn up late only for the afternoon’s racing, those that finish the day early, and those who DNF in too many races may finish towards the bottom of the table but their handicap for next week will be unchanged.

Sunday’s sailing is DF95 scratch sailing 10:00 at Montrose. Next Wednesday’s handicap at the Dam will be for IOM’s and Wayne Behrens has offered to be PRO. Thanks Wayne.

​On Monday (ANZAC Day), our friends at Forcett Lakes are holding their second IOM Woodie Day for the year. Starting at 1pm. If you are available, come along with either your Woodie IOM or to have a look at some fantastic wooden examples as they race.

On a last note, John Cole-Cook has found a set of reading/prescription glasses that he mistakenly picked up some time ago (he thought they were his own, but those ended up going missing). If anyone has lost their glasses, or if someone has found a set, can they please get in touch with John or Kyle so we can arrange to get your glasses back to you.

John S

The 15-18 knot North-Wester that was blowing down the dam this morning was not what was predicted by any of our weather apps but it was a great sailing breeze, and, as it was accompanied by blue skies and sunshine there were no complaints from the 16 skippers that fronted today.

A few scratch races showed that there were some quite significant gusts and that a B-rig choice would cope best.  It was not long before the whole fleet had lightened down and made this choice. During our lunch break the gusts moderated and the fleet universally chose to use their A-rig for the afternoon’s racing.

Visiting to watch the morning’s racing was Graeme Featherstone who is intending to build a wooden Corbie IOM. Graeme has previously built several RG65’s and is a regular sailor at Puddleduck Vineyard.

It was also good to see quite a few skippers who have been missed over recent weeks. Unfortunately for Peter Sylvester the break was not kind to his boat as radio problems meant that he could not even get to the first race. Pete did however stay on to assist me with PRO duties for the day. Thanks Pete!

Radio issues also caused the early retirement of Martin Svensen who showed good speed in the first race.

Today’s results feature nine different winners from the ten races. First and second places were tied on total points and separated only by count-back. The winner was Ian Hey who steadily improved his results over the course of the day. Second place went to Rod Marshall who had some great results early when B-rigs were up.  Third place today went to Andrew Wardrop making it a trifecta for the Blitz team! Congratulations to all.

John Hall will officiate as PRO for next Wednesday’s handicap racing which will be for IOM’s (11:00 at Risdon Brook).

There will be no sailing on Sunday due to Easter. 

John S

​A nice heavy NNW breeze today in the vicinity of 20 knots. C1, C2 and C3 rigs were on the water throughout.

Only 8 races today with the attrition of sailors closing things off when there were just three left on the water.

I got a good day with three wins and three seconds, taking the win for the round, with 9 points.

Ray Joyce came in second with a win and multiple seconds, 5 behind on 14 points.

Third today, was Stu Dawes, with 18 points.

On handicap, both myself and Rod Marshall got the win, with three net points, with Ray in third, on 0 net points.

Wednesday is the return of IOM Handicap, and after discussion amongst present committee members today and the lack of numbers for next Sundays sailing, the Long Distance/A Class sailing next Sunday has been postponed, so everyone can have a relaxing Easter break

​It was a beautiful day at Risdon Brook Dam today – 19 degrees, clear blue skies and a light 0-5 knot mostly northerly wind.  Despite the lovely day only eight skippers fronted for today’s competition.

While the wind did shift quite prodigiously at times and wane significantly it never left the fleet completely becalmed. PRO Andrew Wardrop got us through the full complement of ten races by 2 o’clock. Thank you Andrew.

For success today you needed either an ounce of luck or a lot of skill. Frequently race leaders who were beating slowly upwind lost their advantage when following boats came with a strong gust from behind.

Race honours were well shared around today with all skippers but one winning at least a race. (And Trout who bravely fronted today following a back operation did manage a 2nd place in his mix today.)

Phil Turnbull well deserved the overall win today with solid results including three wins two 2nds and a third. Extremely well sailed Phil.

Peter Darcey frequently appears on the podium and took second place today (Two wins, two 2nds and a 3rd). Congratulations Darce!

And I managed third after frequently surrendering the lead in the last leg to the finish.
Sunday’s sailing for Marbleheads will be at Montrose starting at 1pm to take advantage of the tide.

Next Wednesday will be IOM handicap at the Dam at 11:00.

John S