DF95 Mid Week Handicap

The forecast description included cool, windy and showers for today's DF95 handicap event at Risdon Brook Dam and that is pretty much what we got with 15 - 20 knots of North Westerly and a brisk nip to it too. It was probably the most wintery Wednesday that we have had and coming right when winter is officially over! B-rigs were the obvious choice and were universally chosen by the twelve skippers fronting today.
Andrew Wardrop and Phil Jackman attended to the PRO duties in their usual efficient manner and managed to get us through 6 races before the rain set in at lunch time. Thanks to you both especially given the conditions!
My lunchtime conversation with Bodge started with: "Those certain skippers who left early when it started raining were definitely soft-core" but finished with "Do we really want to be out here in the miserable rain? Let's draw stumps!" And so that is what we did. Of course the rain did curtail pretty soon after we shut the gates but still we did get a fairly good sail out of the day. 
Boat set up is so important with DF95's when the going gets rough and Lisa is expert at setting and tuning her boat . Sailing from the back-marker position she had by far the most consistent set of results and won the day. Ian Hey and John Penman each had two race wins to their credit which is particularly noteworthy in a shortened program. They finished the day second and third respectively. Congratulations Lisa, Bodge and JP.
And for those who are trying to figure out the handicaps: Normally those who frequent the podium often have their handicap penalty increased by up to 10 seconds while those who rarely got to the podium have it reduced by up to 10. Today Lisa's performance should see hers increased by 10 but that would take her to 80 seconds, which is greater than the 70 second maximum handicap. So instead she stays on 70 seconds and all others have their handicap reduced by a maximum of 10 seconds once their other benefits and penalties have been taken into account.
This weekend the DF65 State Championships will be held at Thirlstane near Port Sorell. Late entries may still be made on-line. All the best to our club sailors who will be representing us at the event.
Also next Wednesday being an IOM Handicap Shield day means official drinks after sailing at the Risdon Brook Tavern. Mark your calendar.


Coming up:
Saturday and Sunday: DF65 State Championships at Thirlstane. (11:00 button-press Saturday)
Sunday: DF95 Scratch sailing at Risdon Brook Dam. (10:00 button-press)
Next Wednesday: IOM Handicap Shield racing at Risdon Brook Dam. (11:00 button-press)


Shorty