​There was a very light wind on the Derwent as I was driving over the bridge this morning. Over recent months the experience has been that light wind on the Derwent means flat calm at Risdon Brook Dam and so that was my expectation. But who would have thought? - Solid B rig conditions to greet the sailors! And it was a nice surprise too as we have not had much wind at all throughout the winter. Those skippers who pre-rigged at home were just as surprised as me and needed to change down before even starting.
 
It was a day where good choice of rig was important and there were frequent rig changes. While B-rig all day would not have been too far wrong there were races where those with the larger rigs did well.
 
There was a fair attrition rate too and just finishing all ten races put you in a good position in the points tally.
 
Stuart Dawes consistency made him a clear winner today. Congratulations Stuart!
 
Ray Joyce’s second place was also highly commendable as he was the only starter today off the scratch handicap of 70 seconds and sailed the last couple of races off the maximum handicap of 90 seconds.
 
There was a three way tie for 3rd, 4th and 5th but Andrew Wardrop stole the podium spot on count-back with three race wins in his tally. And it was a good sail from Andrew too as he sat out the first three races while it was too windy for his only available A-rig.
 
As far as handicap adjustment is concerned: Normally the bottom third of the fleet gain an additional 10 seconds handicap but skippers who have 3 or more DNF/DNS races do not qualify for handicap alteration. So there were no handicap benefits to those at the bottom of the table this week.
 
 
We wish the best of luck to those who are heading north for the championships over the weekend.
 
Locally on Sunday we have an IOM sail day at Risdon Brook Dam, while our members sail up in Launceston for the DF65 State Championship. Sailing will start at the dam at 11am per the calendar on our website. Please let John Hall know if you are coming so he has an idea as to how many are intending on sailing.

Next Wednesday’s handicap will be for DF95’s at Risdon Brook. Button Press at 11:00.
 
John S

Very still conditions to start with today, resulting in a 30 minute delay before we had some semblance of wind to try to sail in.

Ten skippers turned up today, with 9 eligible for results. Some great, close racing, with some exceptional sailing at the front between Richard and Rod - certainly showing their class and why they are state and national champions respectively.

Fantastic to see John Hall have such a great day ont the water today, as well as Martin Svensen coming home in a rush on the last race to take a seocnd position. Great sailing, Martin.

At the conclusion of the seven races, Richard Fisher came out a clear winner, with just 7 points.

Second today, unsurprisingly, was Rod Jackman, on 17 points.

Rounding out the top three was John Hall, on 22 points.

On handicap today, John Hall cleaned up as winner, on 4 net points. Richard Fisher took second on 3 net points, with  Rod Jackman, Kyle Stewart and Martin Svensen tied in third on 1 net point.

Just a gentle reminder for all sailors, that all class sailing (scratch and ranking) need to be sailed with yachts that comply fully with the respective rules. We do not want to detract people from sailing, so a yacht could be sailed on a particular day, but for inclusion in results, it needs to be one that complies to the rules.

Wednesday this week is IOM Handicap at the dam, starting at 11am

Next weekend is the State DF65 Championship at Exeter. Please get entries in if you are intending on sailing. We have people staying at both the nearby caravan park and at Aspect Tamar Valley should you be interested.

Next Subday's sailing was to be IOM Scratch, but given we will also be representing up north, it was decided to alter the sailing for the next two weeks. Next Sunday 31st July will be a general sail day for all classes, with the IOM scratch moved to the following Sunday, 7th August.

​A cold morning greeted the 8 sailors but a nice steady 5 knot breeze that lasted till we finished the last race

Our PRO Rod Marshall performed a great job with setting the courses and keeping the racing going before the wind started droping out.

Kim Potter was keen to go but not his boat which had electrical problems.

Our commiserations  to John Short who came down with covid, hope you are better for next week.

Sunday is DF95 Scratch at Risdon Brook, button press at 10am
 
Cheers
 
John

​A cold, wet and windy day at the dam today. This couldn't dampen (pardon the pun) the enthusiasm, with regular A sailor, Ted Stevens making the trip south to compete with us today.

A good field of nine sailors, with eleven initially turning up. Just the 5 races completed, with an enjoyable lunch and chat in between races 3 and 4.

The day was rather difficult to pick the right shifts and squalls on the water, but I am pretty sure all sailors enjoyed the sailing, and for the most part, the rain did keep fairly clear of us.

For the handicap today, Ray Joyce was the pick of the skippers, winning with just 6 points.

Hot on his heels, was Stu Dawes, second with 7 points.

Third place today was Michael Hickman, on 12 points.

For the A Class Scratch Series, John Cole-Cook edged out Michael Hickman for the win by countback, both on 6 points, with Ted Stevens taking third on 10 points.

Wednesday is IOM Mid Week Handicap, button press at 11am

Next Sunday is DF95 Scratch, also at the Dam, button press 10am

Reminder that the week after, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July is the DF95 State Championships in Launceston. If you are intending on competing, the link to the on-line entry form is on our Website Ranking Events page. Our northern organisers would really appreciate entries in as soon as possible to get an idea of numbers competing.

Lastly for today, thanks to those many members who renewed their memberships over the last week. It is really appreciated, and we only have a final few left to chase up. Thanks again.

Kyle

​The wind strength did not exceed 4 knots at the dam today - mostly it was a whole lot less and it came from any and every direction that it chose. Add to this cold conditions, a rain storm, and unusual incidents of weed strike and you have the makings for a frustrating day.
It was the type of day where skill, patience, and  luck were needed - all in good measure. And did we see some Harry Potter magic? No, it was Kim Potter magic. Well done on an overall win today Kim. Two race wins, two seconds and a display of common sense in sitting out while the rain storm was happening.

Ray’s Second was commendable too as it was otherwise pretty much a day for the longer handicapped boats.

And it was good to see Rod Marshall completing the podium with a couple of race wins in his tally today.

Other notable performances included a nice win from Martin Svensen in the final race and a race where Stuart Dawes started more than half a minute after his allotted time but sailed into what looked like an invincible lead only to lose it and have to settle for third place.

I do wonder sometimes why we line up for sailing each week given some pretty ordinary conditions. Either it must be fun or we are all afflicted!

Sunday’s sailing will be Long distance plus A class scratch at the dam with button press 11:00. Rumour has it that we will again have some saveloys there for lunch.

Next Wednesday’s handicap at the dam will be for IOM with button press at 11:00 

John S

​Apologies for the lack of a report today. I was not there through much of the sailing.

Congrats to day goes to Mat Gray, who was clearly the best skipper today, winning with just 22 points from the 14 races sailed.

Second, is Rod Jackman. on 37 points

Third, on countback is John Cole-Cook (great to see you back and sailing so well), on 43 points, who edged out Ray Joyce on countback.

Thanks to Ted Stevens, who travelled formt he north of the state for the event. I't always great having you down sailing with us - and very appreciated.

And thanks again to Les Hanson, for his work today as PRO. It is really appreciated.

This Wednesday sees the IOM Mid Week Handicap at the dam, with a start at 11am as usual.

Kyle

While much of the dam was covered with mirror reflections this morning there were enough patches of ripples to suggest that racing would be possible. While conditions were frustrating and the wind did come from every direction at different times, there was at least some wind (0-2 knots) for most of the day.

Today we welcomed new skipper Stephen Robinson to the fleet. Stephen is a MBYC member who sails a mirror dinghy single handed of a Sunday. He showed some good boat-speed in the first race but unfortunately had other commitments and could not finish his series today. Welcome Stephen.

Being in the right place at the right time was the order of the day today with many of the races featuring changing fortunes.

Rod Jackman took the six race series out with a total of just 4 points once discards and bonuses were taken into account. (Note: Just one discard in a 6 race series.)

Lisa was today’s runner-up with several races that saw her come from well behind to claim a podium finish.


I squeezed third place with more consistent sailing today.
A note on handicaps: When a scratch boat (handicap 70) wins the day the top third of the fleet retain their current starting handicap and the rest have their handicap reduced by 10. (This happened today.)

Sunday’s racing is the Southern Tasmanian IOM championship at Montrose. Entry for this is on-line at the ARYA site. Briefing is at 10:15  and Button press at 10:30.

Next Wednesday’s handicap racing will for IOM’s at the dam with button press at 11:00. The second Wednesday of the month is always for Handicap Shield points.

John S

​Wonderful conditions today at Montrose.

I left home feeling quite pleased that I spent 4 hours working on my Swing Rig as surely it was going to be used today. The difference between Cadbury's Point and MBYC was quite stark. Almost becalmed at home, yet at MBYC, there was some confusion as to whether we rig up in C1 or C2 rigs. In the end, an eclectic mix of C1, C2 and C3 was used.

A NW breeze of around 20 knots was fantastic, and it had abated to around 14 by the time we were finished.

Twelve races were completed in all, with some great racing - everyone gettng to the podium at one stage or another.

Although much of the racing was quite close, the results didn't replect this, with soeme clear air between most positions.

First place today, was Lisa Blackwood, on 17 points - a fantastically consistent day. Four wins and a 3rd and 4t as drops. Well deserved.

Second place went to Ray Joyce, on 21 points. Firsts and seconds littered through his results Very well sailed with the sometimes well underpowered C2 suite.

Third place today was Stu Dawes, on 29 points, with only a 6th and 5th being the difference from challenging Ray for second. Again, very consistently sailed.

On Handicap, Lisa Blackwood took out the double, with 3 net points, with Rod Marshall taking second with 1 net point. Ray Joyce and Andrew Wardrop tied i 3rd place on 0 net points.

Thanks, as always to Les, for being PRO today.

This Wednesday is the return of DF95 Mid Week Handicap. Buttn press as usuual at 11am. Fingers crossed we are blessed with some nice wind like we have had this last week.

Next Sunday is the IOM Mid Winter Challenge. Entries close for this tonight and we only have four entered so far. If you are intending on competing, please get those entries in as soon as possible. Late entries can be accepted until Friday, but we really need to get them in earier.

Kyle