IOM Mid Week Handicap

There was a lovely warm but gusty North-Wester of about 12 knots blowing at Risdon Brook Dam for today’s IOM handicap event. All skippers elected to go with their A-rigs and while there were a few knockdowns and nosedives in the gusts it was definitely the best choice for the day.
 
Andrew Wardrop unfortunately had some winch issues and so did not make the start line today. He graciously offered to take on PRO duties though and as usual did an excellent job. Thanks Andrew.
 
You needed to be a bit lucky with getting a gust off the start line today. Sometimes it appeared that the front markers were sitting just ahead of the start line waiting for the others to start, while in other races the front markers got a way quickly with a good gust and were hard to catch.
 
All up the dais was well shared around today with race wins and podiums right down the scorecard. Overall Ricky Price took out third place. Ricky is finishing the season really strongly and always finishes races well even when carrying a big handicap penalty. Lisa took out second today and was one of just two skippers to win more than one race. (John Penman was the other.)
But it was once again Jammy Jones’s day. Jammy’s upwind sailing with a tight rig was super impressive. He had a race win and three second places on his scorecard. Congratulations Jammy, Lisa and Ricky!
 
COMING UP:
Sunday: IOM Scratch racing at Montrose (1:00 button press)
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam (11:00 button press)
 
PLEASE NOTE: 
The website calendar suggests next Wednesday will be Handicap Shield racing but in fact that was today - (second Wednesday of the month). Next week will be regular IOM handicap sailing and it will be our last Wednesday meet for the year. So how about drinks after sailing next week  - for those who wish - at the Risdon Brook Tavern??
 
Shorty