IOM Mid Week Handicap

There was a good 15 knots of Northerly blowing when we arrived at the Dam this morning and it was nice and warm too with a forecasted 28 degrees as the maximum. It was our last handicap event for the year and this fact and the good sailing conditions brought out a strong fleet of sixteen skippers. 
 
A couple of skippers dusted off their ‘classics’ to give them a run. They had a great battle amongst themselves. Andrew Wardrop came out as ‘best of the classics’ today. Next year we will designate a couple of Wednesdays as Classics days. We will still have normal fleet racing on these days but just encourage those with the older boats to bring them out for a sail and enjoy a race within a race.
 
Rod Jackman was suffering some leg strain issues today and the thought of running after his boat didn’t fill him with glee. He did however offer to take on PRO responsibilities for the morning. After lunch Sheep and Bodge did the job after both suffering some breakage issues on their boats. Thanks to you Rod, Ian and Dave.

A-rigs were the universal choice for the mornings session. We were pretty much at the upper limit for the big rig though and I think that the wind freshened a little over the lunch break without us noticing - that is until the race after lunch which proved to be a handful with the boats well overpowered. Most skippers suited down in a rig change break and the B-rig did prove a better choice for most of the remaining races.

There was a fair attrition rate today with only 9 skippers finishing the last race. 

The overall winner today was John Hall who was probably also the most consistent skipper today. Jammy Jones continued his run of great results with an overall second today after starting the day as the back marker and John Penman took out third place. It has taken John quite a while to get his V11 sailing fast but over recent weeks he has steadily moved to the top end of the fleet.

Coming Up:

As said that was the last Wednesday Handicap for the season. This Sunday we will have the very last event, BBQ and prize giving. The format for the day will be:

10:00 Sailing - Bring any boat you like but there will definitely be some A class action
12:30 BBQ followed by prize ceremony
After that - more sailing for those that wish.

For those that cannot make the end of your function -  have a wonderful Christmas season and we will see all back on the water in the new year.​

Shorty