IOM Mid Week Handicap

My car has a warning light on the dashboard that gives alert to icy conditions when the external temperature drops below 3o, and today the warning light appeared just as I entered the gates to Risdon Park. A Northerly katabatic of about 10 knots only added a chill factor to the conditions. Still we shouldn’t be surprised that it was cool as today marked the winter solstice – the shortest day.

A digger was excavating holes for the new safety fencing throughout the morning. The operator generously allowed us to continue sailing as long as we kept out of his way and could have our racing finished by 1:00 as a concrete truck would be arriving soon after. With this in mind we decided to sail races back-to-back and take no lunch break.

We were able to complete 8 races and so 2 discards were allowed for in the race tally.

Ray Joyce finished 3rd overall today racing his Britpop again, and straight back to his old form! A great result considering it was pretty much a day for the longer handicapped boats.

Pete Sylvester took 2nd place - again showing good boat speed in the orange K2. Pete’s had earned himself a favorable handicap over the past couple of months while sailing a borrowed classic (Ice), but has dashed all that with strong performances with his new boat over the last two weeks.

And today’s winner was Andrew Floyd who had plenty of trips to the podium today.

There was only a single point separating the three place-getters. Congratulations Andrew, Pete and Ray!

Coming up:
Sunday we will be hosting the IOM winter challenge at Risdon Brook Dam. There is already a good entry list for this including a couple of Northerners coming down for the event. Late entries only now online. Briefing at 10:15 and button at 10:30

Next Wednesday’s handicap at the dam will be for IOM’s (11:00 button).
Again a reminder for those who have not paid their club registration that they are now due. The annual fee is $80 and can be paid by direct deposit Account details are
BSB 807009
Acct No. 60108441
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John S