IOM Mid Week Handicap

​A cool blustery westerly wind of 5-18 knots set the scene for today’s mid-week handicap at Risdon Brook Dam. The wind shifted dramatically from North to Southwest and vicious gusts were common.
 
Only twelve skippers competed in today’s event. Perhaps this was due to the very cool conditions or due to the fatigue caused by the amount of sailing that we have been doing recently. All skippers chose B-rigs, which set a level playing field. I am guessing that the thought of changing to an A-rig would have been been quite tempting as there were some quite massive calm patches. In all it was a testing day.
 
Mat Gray again showed his class by winning the day by virtue of consistency. His ability to feature in the placings even when his handicap has reached the maximum of 90 seconds is outstanding.
 
John Hall, a regular amongst the place getters in this competition, took second position.
 
Kim Potter took third place with two wins and two second places in his race tally.
 
Congratulations to all!
 
As one of the scratch boats won today’s event the handicaps are ‘shaken down’ for next week. So the top third of the fleet all retain their handicap (Mat, John, Kim and Phil) while all others (who completed 7 races) have their handicap reduced by 10 seconds.
 
Radio sailing does not stop! Coming up:
Saturday 26th - A Class at Risdon Brook Dam (10:00 access to the dam, 11am start - email to follow)
Sunday 27th  - 42oS Regatta for DF95’s at Risdon Brook Dam (10:30 start0
Wednesday 30th - IOM handicap at Risdon Brook Dam (11:00 start)

 
John S