The morning was sunny and a decent Southerly was blowing when we made our was to the dam for today’s IOM handicap racing. This wind was reinforced by sea-breeze effect and so after lunch it was was a nice 15 – 18 knots – excellent conditions for the IOM’s

It was great to have Kyle Stewart sailing today with the Wednesday group on a rare off the work roster day. Not a bad sail for Kyle too with three podium finishes for the day.

 It seemed that everyone was keen to sail and so we had at least five good scratch races before the main event. 

Before we started Lisa challenged us to see if we could, as a group, sail the whole day without a collision. As incentive there was a chocolate prize for anyone who could do so. There were, in fact, one or two bumps during the course of the day, but only one or two, and these were settled fairly and appropriately by penalties without discussion or dissent by the skippers involved. I have to say it made the whole sailing environment a much happier place and I think sets the tone for next year.

Working the shifts was the key for success today. Many races were decided by tacking duals in the long windward beat that we had to the finish line.

Third overall today was Mr Consistency – Wayne Behrens. It is always worth keeping your eye on which way Wayne is going when the winds are shifing like this at the dam. 

Second went to Andrew Wardrop. Another strong sail to back up last week’s emphatic win.

The winner by a fair margin was Phil Turnbull. Phil had a fairly generous handicap at the start of today’s racing but he showed real class by winning the last race even when sailing from a handicap of 40 sec.

Coming up:

There might be a few away for next week - 27th December (myself included), but there are still quite a few keen to sail and so there WILL be racing for those interested – but if you do want to sail could you please text Ray (0418 665 883) and let him know that you are coming. Sailing will only happen if there are enough starters.

Next year sailing will start on Wednesday 3rd January with handicap racing at the dam for DF95’s.

With that I wish to thank all competitors just for sailing during this year. I reckon that Wednesday sailing is something to look forward to each week. 

A Merry Christmas to all!


John S

Good evening members,

Our last Sunday sail day is completed for the year, with a small, but enthusiastic group of six on the water. Just some simpl habdicapped races between the three A Class yachts and three IOM's.

There was soon a reasonable crowd watching as 1pm drew closer with some more members turning up for the BBQ and presentations.

After lunch and a few stories, we commenced the presentations for the year. The report of all the award winners and special mentions is included here for your perusal.

The last sail day for the year (I think) is this coming Wednesday with IOM Handicap at the dam, from 10am.

Word has it that the new rescue dinghy is going to be launched for the first time on Wednesday. Will be interesting to see how if goes with the new electric motor on-board.

Kyle

A light South Westerly of about 5 knots was blowing at the start of todays IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. Accordingly we set triangular course involving buoy 9. After four races a sea-breeze of 5 – 10 knots had made its way in and we changed to the regular course involving a box around the top four buoys. The 29 degree maximum didn’t seem too overbearing – in fact just a nice day to be sailing radio yachts at the dam.
 
The podium was well shared today with everyone scoring at least one podium finish (in fact everyone but me scored at least two podium finishes) which I think demonstrates that the handicap system is working pretty well.
 
Third overall was Peter Sylvester who picked a giant wind shift on the last leg in at least two races to steal victory.
 
Second went to Martin Svensen who had his boat looking well rigged and was sailing much faster and more confidently. Martin finished the day with two race wins a second and a third placing in his race tally.
 
Today’s winner by quite a big margin was Andrew Wardrop. With three race wins Andrew was a cut above most of the rest of the fleet today. I am not sure why Andrew grumbles so much about courses that involve buoy No 1. It didn’t seem to affect him much. Well sailed today Andrew, Martin and Pete.
 
Coming up:
 
On Sunday we will be having aur end of year function at Montrose. Sailing (any boat you like) starts at 10:00, BBQ lunch and prize giving at 1:00
 
Next week will be our last Wednesday handicap sail for the year and will be for IOM’s. (11:00 button)
 
Shorty

​I wasn't on site for much of  the day today, but we got 9 sailors to Montrose today. Unfortunately, the weed had a bit of a comeback, and soaunds like it caused some chaos half way through the first race.

Luckily for us, we do ahve two very capable locations to sail at, so the decision was made to de-camp and resume the day at Risdon Brook.

The time taken to do this didn't hurt the day too much, with 9 races finished - with a half hour extension to the day.

From the little I saw at the end of the day, the dame turned on everything, from being becalmed if in the wrong spot, to nosediving ont he downwind legs. Quite a challenge to et everything right by the looks of it.

Lisa seemed to get it right more than not though. After a slow start tot he day, it looks like she missed a race to perform some tuning to the yacht (Assumed by me) and came back to the water, winning 4 of the next 6 races - enough to come out winner of the day on 16 points. Well done Lisa.

Rod Jackman survived some strong challenges to take out second spot, alost always in the top three in todays races, securing the second spot on the podium with 20 points.

Third today, on countback, was Mat Gray - just one point behind Rod - on 21 points.

Some real close racing to conclude the scratch series racing for the year.

On handicap today, Rod Jackman took home first place with 3 rank differential points. Lisa Blackwood, Stuart Dawes and Ian Hey all tied in second place with 1 rank differential point each.

Coming up

Wednesday see IOM Mid Week Handicap at the dam, starting at 10am

Next Sunday, 17th December is a general sail day followed by a BBQ lunch and club presentations for the years sailing. Sailing starts at 10am through to 1pm, and we expect the BBQ to start and presentations from around for those not intending to sail, but with to come along for a snag, a chat, some festive cheer and celebrations of the years achievements. We also extend a warm welcome to our dinghy sailing brothers and sisters, who will be sailing after the BBQ on Sunday.

During the BBQ, we have decided to run a Sydney-Hobart sweep as a little fundraiser, with tickets for yachts at $2 per ticket, so bring some coins with you and grab a yacht or three for the sweep.

Kyle

The warm and sunny day produced a strong fleet with 15 skippers contesting today’s DF95 handicap event at the dam.
We welcomed three new skippers. Collin Witton who has bought Rod Marshall’s DF95 (No. 81), Ian Bailey (No. 54) and Pete Ross (No. 887). Collin and Ian both have had some radio sailing experience in the past having sailed Marbleheads about 20 years ago. Pete is an experienced DF95 skipper who competed strongly at this year’s national championships. He has recently moved to Tasmania from Queensland and now lives at Dodges Ferry. We welcome you all to the club and wish you every success and happy sailing!
Despite the nice sunny summer day the conditions at the dam were a real handful with a blustery, swinging westerly of 5 – 25 knots keeping us on our toes. Andrew Wardrop and Rod Marshall took on the PRO duties and set good courses for the challenging conditions. Thanks to you both.
Nearly all skippers chose the B-rig at first but most changed to the A –rig after lunch.  It really was one of those days where whatever rig you had chosen it was the wrong one! The B-rig didn’t have the power to get through the chop in the calm patches and the A-rig was frequently overpowered and knocked down.
So a hard days racing! (New sailors note: The dam isn’t always like this!) I reckon that if you finished ten races then that was a bit of a triumph and if you made the podium today then you deserve a badge of honor.
Third overall went to Pete Ross. A great way to introduce yourself Pete! Second went to Chris Wood who chalked up plenty of podiums in the morning making it hard to win with maximum handicap in the afternoon.  Today’s winner by a good margin was Ray Joyce who finished with more wins and more podium finishes than anyone else. Congratulations Pete, Chris and Ray!


Coming up:
Sunday 10th: IOM Scratch Racing at Montrose (1:00 button-press)
Wednesday 13th IOM handicap racing at the dam (11:00 button-press)
Sunday 17th: Club Prize Day and BBQ (10:00 at Montrose) and last sail for the year – bring any boat. For catering prposes, can you please let Kyle know if you are coming by next Thursday, 14th December.


Shorty