As forecast by BOM, we started yesterday in light conditions ranging from NE to SE and everywhere in between. Twelve boats fronted the starter for some slow, but interesting scratch racing for an hou,r before the serious handicap racing started at 11. Paul Jewell had rudder problems ( money will fix it Paul ), so sailed 112 for the morning with coaching help from Lisa, who turned up without a packet of jelly beans. The silver fox broke a side stay so had to withdraw - he was sailing very well. 
At the end of the handicap series the wine went to Ray Joyce from a consistent Phil Turnbull Dennis Lees & Rod Jackman.
Marbleheads at the dam on Sunday at 10.30 am.

​The decision to sail today was a good one with the rain lifting early and ten skippers fronting the starter at 10 for an hour of scratch racing, before getting into the handicap side of things.
Paul Jewell had his new ex Kim Potter IOM and showed that he will, in time, be very competitive.
Unfortunately the wind did not cooperate with very light conditions and many holes, continuing the conditions that have prevailed at the dam for the past month, exacerbating the frustration levels of competitors.
The day was won by Andrew Wardrop’s Woody 112 but even the owner admits the handicapper was a bit too generous.
Kim Potter with his quick V9 was second and David Jones third.
Next Sunday is the A class yachts at Montrose, so hopefully the sailing conditions will be a bit more amenable. If you get a chance, come along for a look as these graceful yachts compete for the annual Herb Tyson Memorial Trophy.

​Ray's Grunge equalled today by Lisa's F5, however, Ray won the day on countback with more wins. John Hall in 3rd, only two points behind.

​Another glorious day greeted the sailors today, as Jeff Byerley took the reins over from David, to pro for the second day.
 
Very light conditions out of the north made for some difficult sailing for some early on, but we did get away on time and got two races in before pausing a minutes silence as a mark of respect to our fallen soldiers. We soon got away again, and completed another four races before the lunch call was made, and as if by design, the wind died out to nothing. Once lunch was done and dusted, the wind swing around to the south for us and we went to the second course area, where we completed some fantastic, close races right up until the scheduled close at 3.30pm.
 
In the end, Mikes day 1 lead was insurmountable, and although Lisa took out five races today, she still couldn’t edge closer to Mike, who came out the Tasmanian IOM Champion for 2018, on 57 points. Lisa Blackwood was very consistent in second place with 83 points, with Ray Joyce (110 points) holding off a fast finishing David Jones (113 points).
 
In all, a very enjoyable weekend by all who were able to make it. The weekend could not have got underway without the fantastic assistance from our Pro’s for the event – David Murfet and Jeff Byerley, along with our observers over the weekend, Wayne Behrens and Phil Turnbull.

​A bit of a hard day today, with winds gusting from B rig (just) conditions through to fully loaded up C rig conditions. As such, there was an amount of attrition through the day, with sheet breakage all the way to mast stub snapping during the racing.
We got a late start as we waited for the weather to decide what to do. Simply too much wind to start with and abandonment was considered for a while. Once away, three scratch races started, to warm the sailors up, and then moved on to the handicap racing. Four heats were completed prior to lunch, and then it was decided to call the day to a close with the amount of sailors unable to continue afterwards. Ray Joyce was to most consistent on the day, with two wins and a second, with David Jones close behind. Handicaps will sort them out for next month and bring them back to the pack…….
Results below for the week, along with the two rounds of the Kawana system for DF95’s.