DF95 Mid Week Handicap

It was a very chilly start to the day and although is was sunny, the sun does not really make its appearance at the dam until it emerges from the shadows of the pine trees about 11:00 and so, in brief, it was cold! A nice wind though – about 8-10 knots of katabatic Northerly drawing straight down the dam. As usual with this winter wind it did moderate during the day but even in the last race there was 4 of 5 knots and so, in all, excellent conditions for sailing DF95’s
 
Andrew Wardrop officiated superbly as usual and set a good course for suiting the DF95. Thanks Andrew.
 
We welcomed my brother Alan Short to the fleet today. Al had some initial set up problems with a broken forestay, and losing his rudder. Eventually he was able to enjoy some good racing after the lunch break. Welcome to Risdon Brook Al.
 
Close finishes are becoming quite the usual with our handicap events which shows that the system is working well.
 
Third place today was taken by Phil Jackman with 6 podium finishes but without a race win. Second went to Lisa Blackwood who sailed much of the day starting well behind everyone else. Today’s winner was Ian Bailey with four race wins. Ian and his mate Colin are regular starters when we have a DF95 Wednesday. We appreciate your input guys and you have put us on notice with the improvement that you are making. Congratulations to today’s place-getters!
 
Lisa’s performance today causes a ‘shakedown’ of handicaps. Her performance today would normally raise her handicap by 10 seconds. But because she started the day with a handicap of 65 such an increase would take her to 75 which is beyond the 70 second limit for maximum handicap. So instead she goes to 70 for the next event and all others are reduced by 5.
 
Coming Up:
Sunday: The IOM mid-winter regatta at Risdon Brook dam. Late entries can still be made on-line. Briefing at 10:15 for a 10:30 start.
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook dam. 11:00 button-press.
 
Shorty