DF Summer Scratch Round 2

A second go at the Combined DF Scratch Series after the success of Round 1 in January and the clb benefited from the change to "normal" programming with healthy fleets of DF65's and DF95's.

Starting a bit slow due to a real lack of breeze, but we got under way with 11 DF65's on the water for the first stanza of three races. A shortened course, with the further out lanes benefiting the most with Lisa and Kyle getting quite the advantage ont he outer side of the course. With the initial races being quite slow, there was quite an amount of good hearted banter, especially at the windward mark, which really lightened things up and added to the enjoyment of the day.
At the end of the first three races, Lisa was the leader, with Kyle and Phil Jackman rounding out the top three.

A short break and then the DF95's came out for a stanza of three races as well. An extended course given the slight increase of wind and extra pace of the 95's, with an excellent fleet of 17 on the water - how good is sailing in bigger fleets.
Three races were completed in good time, with Kyle also enjoying the conditions, leading on 13, with John Hall in Second (15) followed by Nick Connor (17) in 3rd. Silver Fleet had John Hall in front on countback from John Short, both on 10 points and Peter Ross in 3rd (11pts) on countback to Rod Marshall. So very close in Silver with just two points separating the top 5.

Back to the final stanza of three DF65 races. The breeze had come up and most were now in A Rigs, with a few taking on B Rigs.
Stu dawes found some for, taking wins in races 4 and 5 and Peter Ross was very consistent with two podiums, but Lisa was too consistent today, with podiums on every race, streaking away to the round win on just 7 Points. Top effort Lisa.
Second place went to Kyle, on 16 points, one ahead of Peter Ross in third, on 17 points.

The extra breeze was welcomed, but the DF95's retained their A Rigs for the duration still, and with a slightly shortened course for races 4 and 5, then lengthened on race 6 a little, the action resumed with some extremely close racing and plenty of position changes throughout.
Kyle maintained good form with two podiums in the last three, which was enough to take out the round win on 16 points.
Nick Connor was three behind in Second place on 19 points, with Stuart Dawes rounding out the top three on 22 points.

In Silver, Peter Ross had an initial scrae in race 4, before regaining his form , finishing on top in the fleet on 15 points.
The two John's sailed very close to each other to again finish the day the same as after race three, tied on points for second and third places. Both had a fleet win, and both had two seconds, so were separated by John Hall having a next best 5th place, while John Short's next best was a 6th - how close was that.

In all, it was a fantastic days sailing with a fantastic amount of boats on the water. 

Big thanks to Gary McCarthy, who stood in as PRO for us today. Your efforts was appreciated by every single one of us. Thank you.

The format of todays sailing is fairly new to us, but looks to have been a great success across both rounds to date. If there are any suggestions or comments tot he committee regarding this format, please let me know and I'll pass it on tot he Committee for consideration. We do represent you, so we are all very keen on input when there is some.

Coming Up:

• Wednesday, 11th March: IOM Mid-Week Handicap, button press at 1030.
• Next Sunday, 15th March: John Emms Memorial (Marblehgeads), button press at 1030. Only 1 entry in at the moment. Please get your entry in asap as less than 6 total will not qualify it as a ranking event.

Kyle