DF95 Mid Week Handicap

It certainly does feel good to have a few days of ‘not-winter’ and today was a beauty despite struggling for wind. For the greater part of the day we had a dwindling and shifty Northerly which fluctuated between three knots and nothing. A sea-breeze filtered in for the last two races with the DF95’s really enjoying the flat water by showing good speed.
 
PRO Andrew Wardrop worked hard keeping up with the wind changes and was able to set us good courses for the whole day. Thanks Andrew.
 
Today we welcomed guest skipper Will Short who was sailing his dad’s (Alan’s) spare boat. Looking at Will’s scorecard he showed great improvement throughout the day, finishing the first race in last position but winning the last race of the day (and just beating his dad home!) Good sailing Will.
 
Ian Hey leant his boat to visitor Bruce Palmer for a couple of races. Bruce is a regular DF65 skipper at Puddleduck but came to watch the racing at the dam today. I think that he enjoyed his sailing.
 
Today’s honorable mention goes to Martin Svensen who sailed confidently and scored two race wins and a third place to give him forth position overall. Well done Martin.
 
Third place overall today went to Phil Jackman who sailed particularly well in the morning’s races.
 
Second went to John Hall who had the most consistant day of all. John’s consistency isn’t just for this week either. He is regualrly upon the monthly event podium and has scored an overall podium finish on six out of the ten DF95 Wednesday handicap events that we have had this year.
 
Today’s winner was the un-stoppable Ray Joyce who sailed exceptionally especially in the afternoon races where he was starting 30 seconds behind the next closest skipper but still able to lead most home. Congratulations Ray, John and Trout.
 
Ray’s dominance this week has caused a ‘handicap shakedown’. His positions this week would normally earn him a 10 second penalty to send him to a starting handicap of 75seconds. But we have a 70 second maximum in place for weekly starting handicaps so, instead, Ray’s handicap is set at 70 and everyone else’s (who sailed today) is decreased by 5 (after taking into account their benefit/penalty otherwise earned).
 
It was just so nice to be sailing in lovely weather today!

​Photos kindly taken by Ian Hey
 
Coming up: Racing returns to Montrose!
 
Sunday: Scratch racing for Marbleheads at Montrose (1:00 summer-time button-press) Next Wednesday: Handicap shield racing for IOM’s at Risdon Brook Dam (11:00 button-press)
 
Shorty