IOM Long Distance Handicap

There was a strong turn-out of 16 skippers for today’s long-distance IOM handicap event at Risdon Brook Dam. The North Wester of about 15 knots was perfect in direction for our long distance course. A-rigs were the universal choice for the morning session. The boats were fast upwind with the big rigs really flying on the downwind leg. So much so that at times we needed to run to keep in contact with the boat. I am sure that I am not the only skipper to feel like I had a work out.
We welcomed Simon Delaney to IOM sailing today. Simon has bought Alan Short’s Britpop and he showed good potential especially given the testing conditions. We hope that you enjoyed your sail Simon. It was also really great to see a couple of faces that we have been missing for a while. Back today were Rob Cooney and Peter Sylvester. Unfortunately both had some boat troubles and could not complete the series. Peter’s boat went AWOL due to radio problems during the start of race #2.  A decision was quickly made to abandon the start so that Bodge and Peter could make a rescue. The rest of us were watching keenly while the two chased Peter’s boat in the dinghy as it was heading at speed towards the dam wall. Fortunately it turned away allowing then to make a safe and timely rescue and earning a bit of a cheer from those watching. 
Martin Svensen also had some radio problems and could not race at all but generously decided to officiate as PRO. Martin was vigilant on the start and kept the day moving well so that we could complete 6 races today. Thanks so much Martin.
For long-distance sailing we are working on using a starting handicap of 1.2 times your current racing handicap to compensate for the races being a little longer.
After three great races lunch was called and tong-masters Phil Turnbull and John Cole-Cook did a stellar job in cooking us a healthy and enjoyable BBQ lunch. 
The forecast predicted a strengthening wind and a swing to the West later in the morning and it did strengthen to about 20 knots and so skippers universally decided to change to their B-rig for the afternoon session. Fortunately there was no real westerly swing and so we were able to continue racing using the full length of the course. Even with the smaller rig the boats were a handful in the gusts when going down-wind in the afternoon. Round-ups and nosedives were common and if you could keep your boat on a steady course you could often make up valuable places. Predicting the shifts, and keeping good boat speed were important today and the longer upwind leg allowed more opportunity for tactics to be employed.
Putting money on Ray Joyce would be a pretty solid bet when it gets windy and it was Ray who took out the day - the only skipper to win two races. Congratulations Ray! I managed second place with some good consistency in results and my brother Alan took out third, - absolutely loving sailing his new boat.
With conditions deteriorating Martin made the call to end racing a bit earlier than expected and it turned out to be a good call too as a heavy downpour hit before I made it home. All up a great day out! I was especially impressed by the way that people volunteered and assisted with the running of the day. Setting up and packing up, assisting the PRO, rescue boat, BBQ etc. What a cool club to be part of!
Shorty


Coming up:
Sunday: IOM Scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. (10:00 button press)
Next Wednesday:  DF95 handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam.(11:00 button press)
Shorty