​We knew we ahd a few away for this week with other commitments, but we did get 5 sailors along today to compete with the DF95's. unfortunately, only three with DF65's so they didn't get a sail today.

We got 8 races in, all with very light winds - maybe good preparation for the ARYA DF65 and DF95 Nationals in Qld later this week.

Some very close results, with all sailors getting some hero and zero moments.

A few things learned in the really light stuff. There is no one right lane to sail. One race favoured the brave sailing out deeper and coming in off a really good lift, thent he next race favoured the ones sailing in much closer to shore, gaining a lift from there tot he windward mark. The other one was how importand it was simply to keep the yacht moving, regardless of the direction it was heading. Once you stop, you have absolutely nothing......

After our 8 races today, Stu Dawes came out with the win on 11 points. Mat Gray one point behnd in second with 12 points. Kyle Stewart and John Hall tied for third, two points behind on 14. Kyle getting the spot on countback. A hard day for Michael, but found the issue with his sail winch being unreliable and coming in and out on the yacht randomly.

On handicap, Stuart, Kyle and John all tied for first, with 1 net point.

Thanks to Rod for taking on the PRO role for us.

On Wednesday, we have our regular IOM Mid Week Handicap, button press at 11am

Next Sunday,we have IOM Scratch at the Dam, button press at 10am

Good luck to our sailors heading over to the Sunshine Coast for the DF65 and DF95 Nationals starting on Thursday. We have Les over there already, scoping the place out for us, gathering all the usual intelligence for a successful tilt at the events (we now know where Bunnings is, Banjo's and the local Bottle-O).

Kyle

There was a severe weather warning out for today and so it looked at first like we might not be sailing at all. But the park was open and there was around 15 knots of Northerly wind when skippers started turning up. Most chose A-rigs for the first race but after a good gust scuttled the fleet in race 3 we all changed down to our B-rigs. After lunch the wind had settled a bit but everyone stuck with their B-rig so at least that gave for a level playing field.
There was no clear winning path to take today other that working the shifts as they were presented to you.
We used the rotating PRO system today and so thanks are to all who took a turn.
I managed to take third place overall today with three race wins in the tally. My boat is sailing quite fast with the B-rig, fast enough to show me that I have work to do on the A!
Ricky Price took second overall with consistently high placed results. 
Wayne Behrens was the winner again today. He was well ahead of the rest of us with three race wins and nothing worse than 5th on his sheet once discards and bonuses were allowed for. Wayne had his brother Leigh watching as personal cheer squad too!
Our club DF representatives Les, Kyle, Mat and Lisa will be heading off to the National titles on the Sunshine Coast next week. We all wish the team the best of luck and an enjoyable trip too.
Coming up;
Sunday: Scratch sailing for DF’s at the dam - DF65’s from 10:00 then DF95’s from 12:30
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap sailing at the dam - 11:00 button press.


John S

​A late start today, with the AGM at 1030. We got four sailors on site at the dam and got away at around12.

Although short on numbers, the enthusisam was there as the day had promised some really poor weather, but it has fined up enough for us to be using the A Rigs for the first five races.

The breeze was a bit erratic - becalmed at times and then 15 knots right on us.

We got 9 races finished int he end, with Ray taking home the win for the day on 9 points.

Kyle just edged out John for second, on 15 points, with John taking third on 16 points.

On handicap, John took the prize, with 1 net point, with Ray and Kyle tying for second with 0 net points.

Mat came along for the afternoon session and gave his DF65 a good run. Looked great with his nice new sails on.

Thanks, as always to Les, for doing the Pro duties today.

Coming up

We have IOM Mid Week Handicap on Wednesday at the dam - button press at 11am.

Next Sunday is DF95 Scratch at the dam, button press at 10am. There seems to be quite a few sailors away for the next few weeks, so if you are intending on sailing, could you please let me know so we know there will be enough to get the day under way.

Thanks

Kyle

A cool katabatic Northerly of up to 15 knots set the scene for some great sailing for today’s IOM handicap event at Risdon Brook Dam. This wind did moderate throughout the day but even the last race was held with about 8 knots and the wind maintained its Northerly direction which meant that good courses could be set.
I had winch issues before the start and unfortunately my boat did not make the water today but this allowed me to attend to PRO duties and watch some great racing.
Andrew Wardrop and Pete Turner seemed to be constantly engaged in close encounters. Never just a simple bump – they always interlocked and did that crazy dance partner thing. Not good for boat speed though!
Third place overall was taken by Rod Jackman who was always sailing amongst the leaders.
Mat Gray took second place. And I thought that Mat was having a bad day. A win in the last race helped things a bit and I guess that second overall is a fairly ordinary day for Mat!
Rod Marshall was today’s winner. He finished well clear of everybody - 13 point ahead of Mat and had nothing worse than 4th on his scorecard once discards and bonuses were taken. 
Well done Rod, Mat and Trout!
Don’t forget that the Annual General Meeting of the club will be held on Sunday at the Montrose Yacht Club at 10:30 AM
Sailing coming up:
Scratch racing for Marbleheads will follow the AGM on Sunday
Next Wednesday’s handicap will be for IOM’s at Risdon Brook Dam (11:00 button).


John S

​A very cold day today, but at least it was dry, and the wind was consistent for us. N to NW winds from 3 knots with gusts up around 15 knots.

Nine sailors made it today, and enjoyed some great, close racing, with just a few races having a leader break right out, away from the pack.

As per recent history, Mat Gray gave us a master class, winning 7 of the 11 races, easily winning the day on just 12 points.

In second place, a further 12 behind, was Lisa Blackwood on 24 points.

Kyle Stewart took the third spot on the podium with 32 points.

On handicap, Kyle Stewart took out first spot with 3 net points. Ian Hey took second place with 2 points, while Mat Gray and Stuart Dawes took third place on 1 net point.

Thanks to Les Hanson for his ever consistent Pro duties.

Afterwards, four of us stayed behind and sailed the DF65's for a few hours. Some really good, heavy A+ conditions, which was a great tune up and learning experience for those of us competing in the DF65/DF95 Natonals in a few weeks time.

Coming up

Wednesday is IOM Mid Week Handicap at the dam, button press at 11

Next Sunday, 721st May to start with is our AGM, at Montrose Bay Yacht Club at 1030 - agenda coming soon - followed by RM Scratch at 1230 at the dam.

Kyle

A westerley of 1-4 knots set us up for a good days IOM handicap sailing at Risdon Brook Dam. The wind backed from North Westerly in the morning races to South Westerly after lunch.
 
The rotating PRO we used today worked well and thanks to all those who took a turn at the duty.
 
A voluntary weigh-in at lunch showed that skippers were ensuring good compliance with the class rules.
 
With 8 races sailed two discards were allowed. It was the experienced hands who took the dais today. 
 
John Hall finished third, turning his day around  with 2nd, 1st and 1st in the last three races.
 
Andrew Wardrop repeated his efforts from last IOM handicap with second again today. Watch that handicap Andrew!
 
And today’s winner was Lisa Blackwood. I was pretty sure that she was in for a good day after a couple of wins in the warm-up scratch races. Congratulations Lisa, Andrew and John.
 
Coming up:
Sunday’s scratch racing is for IOM’s at Risdon Brook dam - 10:00 button, followed by DF65 sailing after IOM's finish
Next Wednesday's handicap racing will also be for IOM’s at Risdon Brook dam 11:00 button
 
John S

​Winter well and truly turned up today. Ice on the grass on the way to the dam. The thermometer didn't bother moving much, with the temps below 10C all day. All of a sudden, I didn't feel silly wearing the thermals....

Ten competitors braved the elements today. We initially wondered when we'd start with the dam exhibiting glass-like conditions. Stu was the brave one, putting his yacht in, and although it did look like glass, there was the faintest breeze on the water and that was enough for us to attempt a start.

From there, we had no delays through the day with the light breeze, but many did find the fickle conditons extremely hard. Knowing when to chase a breeze, or to take the shoreline was massive, with some of the fortunate (and quite likely also very skilled) ones making massive gains when it all lined up for them.

That said, the sailing was very close throughout, and at the lunch break, there was just 4 points separating second place through to sixth place.

The afternoon opened up somewhat, with the wind dying right off on us on the last race, just on time at 3.30, with 14 races completed.

At the end of the day, Mat Gray showed his absolute class with a resounding win (great preparation for the DF95 Nationals in early June) finishin with just 25 points. 

Stu Dawes came in second after a very strong set of races after lunch, on 36 points.

Ray Joyce rounded out the top three on 45 points.

We had Les Hanson sail today for the first time in years (I think), with Les normally taking on the PRO duties. Great to see him back on the water, and hope to see it regularly.

Big thanks to Rod Marshall for taking on the PRO duties. Always a difficult task with such variable winds as we had today. Your work is really appreciated.

Coming Up

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

Next Sunday is IOM Scratch at the dam, button press at 10am, and following the normal finish at 1pm, a few of us are going to have a sail of the DF65's as a tune up for the nationals in early June

Kyle

​The Bureau of Meteorology got things a bit wrong today. No rain, no hail - just a nice Northerly early, turning west then south west later in the afternoon between 2 and 13 knots throughout. Beautiful conditions for the A Class sailing.

Disapointingly, just five sailors came along today - so the event will not be a ranking event - but the five that did turn up brought their enthusiasm and enjoyed some great sailing in some really good conditions.

Unfortunately, Lisa had some rudder issues and a back flare-up, so was not able to sail at all after lunch.

We got ten races in for the day - all good long courses wich suits the yachts nicey and gave them all a good test with three being likely entries in the National Championships later this year.

In the end, it was a dominant sail day for Kyle Stewart and his Blister 4 - finally sorting out the little issues with the yacht, recording 8 wins for the 10 races. Finishing well out in front on 8 points and the winner of the Herb Tyson Trophy for 2023.

Second place went to Andrew Wardrop (Blister 3), on 16 points - continuing his great from from our Anzac Day sail.

Third place was taken by Rod Marshall (Blister 3), on 25 points.

Thanks to John Hall, who came out and sailed the club yacht. Unfortunately unlucky in a few races but sailed very well with an unfamiliar yacht.

Big thanks to Les Hanson for taking on the Pro duties today.

Coming Up

Tomorrow is the DF95 42 Degrees South regatta at the dam. Button press is 1030

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

Kyle

​A perfect day greeted us today at Risdon Brook Dam. N/NW winds varying from 4-8 knots thoughout, all in a steady direction - meaning we ahd absolutely ideal windward/return legs allowing for a lot of strategy on the upwind beats.

Eleven sailors turned up today and after a small delay with some bouy adjustments, Les soon got us under way.

Unsurprisingly, from the outset, Mat was showing the way, but we had a tight group of yachts challenging for the podioum positions.

For the first time in a long time, we had a protest hearing in one of the races. All handles without emotion or people getting upset, and result determined. My own personal opinion is that these instances should not be shied away from as it gives us all a valuable lesson in this side of sailing, which is very important for when we sail in higher level events.

We got eleven races in int he end, with the breeze threatening to soften in the last few races, but still hung about for us.

Today, Mat Gray was the winner, on 12 points.

Second place went to Lisa Blackwood, 3 points in arrears on 15

Third place, a further three behind, on 18 points, was Mickael Hickman - I believe the first sail day for his V11.

On handicap today, Kyle Stewart came out a clear winner on 4 net points. Equal second, on 1 net point was Lisa Blackwood, John Hall, Andrew Price and Rod Marshall.

Thanks to Les Hanson for his ever consistent Pro duties.

Coming up

Wednesday is DF95 Mid Week Handicap at the dam, button press at 11

Next Saturday 6th May is teh Herb Tyson Trophy at MBYC. Button press is 1030. We currently ahve just 5 yachts entered in this event. Should we not get six entries, the day will still go ahead, but it will lose its ranking event status, so please, if you wish to enter, do so as soon as possible. If you would like to have a try sailing the A Class yachts, let me know as we do ahve some yachts about that can be made ready for the day.

Next Sunday, 7th May is the DF95 42 Degrees South Regatta, at Risdon Brook Dam, button press at 1030. This is also a ranking event, with "normal" entries closing tonight and late entries closing on Friday.

Kyle

The forecasted sunny day with a moderate wind was enough to get a good fleet of 16 starters to today's handicap ta the dam. And the forecast did not disappoint either as it was a super day to be sailing. There was a strong Northerly katabatic wind of may be 15 knots when we arrived – enough to fool a few into putting up their B-rigs for the pre-event scratch races. By the time the 11:00 button press had come around though it was pretty evident that the wind was dying and A-rigs were the universal choice. The wind did moderate as the day proceeded and the last races were held in about 3 of 4 knots. But it was an excellent sailing wind!
 
Graeme Cooksey launched his new woodie. A Corbie 6 – beautifully built too! Graeme said that it needed 250 g of weight correctors which shows great building skills as it is difficult to make them come in really light. Graeme only sailed a couple of races today but had a nice second place in one of them.
 
It was good to see John Banks at the Dam today. John helped me do PRO duties and I needed help too as many of the finishes were really tight with most featuring the whole fleet finishing within one minute.
 
Third place today went to Peter Turner. That Mad Max has some real speed given the right conditions. Peter won two races today.
 
Second went to Andrew Wardrop in a welcome return to the podium.
 
And today’s winner was Ricky Price. Ricky seemed to always be near the head of the fleet and finished the day with four race wins in the tally. Congratulations to  the podium place getters!
 
Next IOM day will not be for a fortnight but on that day we thought it would be a good idea to have a ‘weigh-in’ and bring the scales for all boats. Remembering that the legal weight is 4 kg (with battery – ready to sail), it might be worth having a look at you boat in advance!
 
Coming up!
 
Sunday: Scratch racing for IOM’s at the Dam 10:00 button

Next Wednesday: Handicap for DF95’s at the Dam. 11:00 button.
 
John S