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.

It seemed quite wintery this morning at Risdon Brook Dam this morning with regular light showers falling while we were rigging up and a crisp Northerly of about 8 -10 knots adding a definite chill factor. Still it proved to be a great sailing wind with enough shifts and knocks to provide passing opportunities if you knew how to work them.
 
Phil Jackman took on PRO duties and did a great job as usual getting us through 12 races today. Trout set a course which involved buoy 7 first with a port rounding rather than the usual buoy 8 taken to starboard. It was quite noticeable that this did lead to less incidents between boats at the windward mark, and happier sailing for all.
 
An honourable mention goes to Peter Turner who had three race wins and sailed well all day to finish fourth overall. 
 
Third place went to Commodore Rod Marshall who finished the day strongly after making some major tuning adjustments during the lunch break. John Penman regularly takes a podium spot and today finished in second place finishing the day with a second place and a race win. It was Andrew Wardrop’s day though. He was always at the head of the fleet, his scorecard had nothing worst than a 4th after taking discards, and he finished 5 points clear ahead.
 
Congratulations Andrew, John and Rod.
 
Next week being the last Wednesday in the month will be a Super Wednesday event. So we will sail a mini-handicap series in the morning and if weather conditions are suitable some short course scratch racing in the afternoon. 
 
Coming up:
Sunday: IOM scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing - Super Wednesday 10:30 button press 
 
Shorty

A small but keen contingent of sailors arrived for the first Winter Scratch session of the DF65/DF95 classes.
 
Our schedule was to rotate the classes about after 3 races each. We did have some spare sailors who weren’t sailing the 65 class, so Ray was happy to PRO those races (thanks again Ray). Unfortunately, A PRO for the day wasn’t found, so the DF95’s sailed without a PRO and with the first two over the line doing the scoring/recording roles, which worked fairly well – but that was with a field of just 10 boats. Any more than that and someone will be needing to sit races out if we cannot get a PRO for the day.
 
It was fantastic to see a few newer Sunday Sailors along today in Andrew Roberts, John Penman and Richard Wylie. I hope you guys all enjoyed the day and will be back again soon on the Sunday scratch days.
 
The first stanza of three DF65 races started under A Rigs with quite a few gusts coming down the dam. Stuart put on a master class, winning the first three. I was a distant second, with all 2’s with Richar Wylie in third with a few 3’s and Simon Delaney also taking a podium in the third race.
 
We then swapped over to the DF95’s for three races. Most had A rigs on and some numpty’s (ie me) went for a B Rig thinking there were more gusts than calm spots which was ultimately proved wrong. Stu made it 4 in a row, taking out the first race. Ray finally took the top podium spot off Stu in the second, but he fought back and re-took the top on race 3. After the first three, Stu in the lead on 4, with Ray in second on 5 and Rod Marshall third on 12 points.
 
Back to the DF65’s and we ended up with a fairly equal split between A and A+ rigs. I had a blinder through much of the 4th race, before a gust on the last beat to the finish had the A+ uncontrollable and Stu (A Rig) strode through for an easy win again. The last two races again dominated y Stu and Kyle but the close fights were in the other places, with Phil Turnbull and Andrew Roberts sailing so close to each other – one 4th, the other 5th and vice versa throughout much of the day. Only to be separated by countback at the end of the day. Some really close sailing in trying conditions.
At the conclusion of 6 races, Stu was clearly in the lead on just 5 points (with a drop of 2), I was in second on 9 points and Richard Wylie in third on 17 points.
 
The second stanza of the 95’s also had a mixed bag of A and B rigs. Stuart proving that B Rigs was the right choice with a third and two wins to close the 6 off – again winning clearly with just 6 points. Ray sailed every well also, having an A Rig on and very over-powered at times, taking second on just 10 points. Third place went to a fast finishing Richard Wylie – taking a 2nd and 3rd in the last two races – on 19 points.

In Silver Fleet, it was a very close day. Rod Marshall winning today on 9 points, one ahead of Richard Wylie in second on 10, with John Penman in third, on 13 points.
 
By this time, most sailors were ready to call it a day, and so it was with just 6 races per class today.


The Committee will be keeping an eye on the success of the mixed fleet days like this. If there is not continual support of the format, we will be reverting it back to a single class day as it does become unfair on those who sail just the DF95’s and sit about half the sail time if the DF65 side of it is not supported enough. Same that happened with the A Class and Marblehead Classes with lack of attendance forcing the reduction of scratch format days in those classes.
 
Coming Up
Wednesday is IOM Mid Week Handicap at the dam, starting at 1030
Next Sunday is IOM Scratch at the dam, starting at 1000

It was good to get back to some handicap racing today after a couple of cancellations to our program. Even today the forecast didn’t look great which might have accounted for the fact that we only had 10 starters. Still there was some great racing of IOMs on the dam today.
 
Rod Marshall and Phil Jackman took on PRO duties and did a great job keeping the racing happening. Willy Weather did get it a bit wrong by forecasting strong winds early easing throughout the day. In fact some of the earlier races were fairly calm - or at least had some very calm patches in them, and the later races very windy and we all found that we were overpowered with our A-rigs.
 
Trout called the racing to an early close after race 9 with the wind still strengthening. It was a good call too as there was some heavy rain on the way home.
 
I do have to mention race #6 which featured a Rose Bay High trifecta with old boys Bodge, myself and Al filling the podium. Swelling with pride I almost burst out a chorus of the school song but luckily for all I didn’t!
 
I managed third spot today in a welcome return to some form. Gary McCarthy, fresh from competing in the world titles came second. It was John Penman who won the day. Gary and John each had three race wins which is pretty hard to compete against and in fact the podium place getters accounted for 8 of the 9 race wins today. Congratulations Gary and John.
 
Seeing that we are at the halfway point of our Handicap Shield season with 6 events completed I thought that it might be a good idea to publish the progressive standings. The results table below allows for 1 discard.) Peter Sylvester, David Woolley and Ian Hey have a handy buffer but a little further down the table it gets very close with a 4 way tie and 8 skippers (4th to 11th) separated by just 5 points.
 
So good to be sailing again!
 
Coming Up:
 
Saturday: IOM Classics Day at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 Button press
Sunday: DF 65 and DF95 scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam 10:00 Button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 Button press
 
Shorty

​Some extra wind was predicted today, but I think nobody expected what we got throughout the day…..
 
The eight competitors set up nice and early, but nobody seemed too sure on what rig to put on, so with 15 minutes before the first race started, we all took out best guesses. The wind was going from about 8 knots through to 20 at times. The mostly strong northerly breeze coming up against an incoming tide made for some exciting large wave sailing, surfing aplenty and punishing those very harshly who tried to tack at the wrong point in time. One of my own races tacking when in first position, and gaining control again on the opposite tack in last. Not only timing at the point of tacking but more importantly spacial awareness of the next gust that was coming and being on your preferred tack before it hit was paramount.

Initially, we were all shod in C1 Rigs, which was effective for the first few races, but before long, we ended up with an eclectic mix of C1, C2, C3 and B3 amongst the fleet.
 
PRO, Andrew Wardrop had us going in between races nice and efficiently, and the course became a pretty consistent one given the constant changing of both wind speed and direction. It is not an embellishment on the truth to say the we legitimately had gusts up around 30 knots, water twisters on multiple occasions – concerningly close to the yachts at times, and directions all around the compass. On one particular pre race period, we initially had a good strong southerly for the first time of the day, quickly changing to an Easterly, back around to my Nationals flashbacks of Westerly direct offshore, before stabilising again from the North West – all in the space of 5 minutes……

It was great to see Mat Bugg along today, sailing Lisa’s Walicki. Unfortunately his day ended early with a main winch failure, but stayed for the majority of the day and enjoyed some great sailing in hard conditions.

Stu Dawes had a difficult day today, with some hard fought podium finishes followed up by some very cruel wind shifts before eventually retiring from the last 4 races.
 
Rod Marshall had a good day today with his Mantra 2 – seemingly underpowered when he took the chance on his B3 rig, however sailed it really well with a few podium finishes and also taking a race win earlier on when he had his C2 on.
 
Ted Stevens was ready to go home after the first race of the day – having kept clear of a large tangle up on the start line – to show the fleet a clean set of heels and taking out the first race in convincing style. A wonderful day for Ted while he comes to terms with his F-6. Taking three wins for the day as well.
 
Lisa had some struggles with the C2 rig being a bit overpowered at times, but still came away with a strong performance today, taking third position with 36 points.

Ray likewise struggled a little bit. Having chosen his C3 rig for the last half of the day, he had blistering speed – especially downwind, but in the lulls that followed the big gusts, just lacked a little horsepower. Finishing second, 5 in front of Lisa with 31 points.

Kyle was also a bit hot and cold, putting together really good races, but followed up on a few occasions with reliability issues. Turning around the downwind mark with a very large gust hitting, causing the winch to stall out, requiring rescue. Again a bit afterwards losing power completely and finding that water had got in to the pot and the receiver, shorting everything out – again requiring rescue. That said, the good races were extremely good, navigating the heavy conditions with a good level of confidence – winning the Regatta four ahead of Ray on 27 points.

Big thanks today to Andrew Wardrop, for coming along and doing the PRO work for us. Your help is really appreciated by all of us.
 
Coming up:
 
Wednesday  - IOM Handicap (perpetual trophy round) at the Dam – button press at 1030
Sunday – DF65/DF95 Scratch Round 3 at the Dam, starting at 10am with the same format as we had in rounds 1 and 2. Any volunteers for PRO on the day please contact either Ray or myself.
 
Kyle