IOM Mid Week Handicap

​A good fleet of 18 boats turned up at Risdon Brook Dam today. The wind had a touch of Easterly in it which always gives rise to shifty conditions at the dam. As it was mostly below or around 8 knots A rigs were the universal choice.

It was great to see John Banks back on the water today in his green hulled #29.

Lisa launched a new boat today. This boat is a Nighthawk kit boat made in plywood using stitch a glue construction. Ricky Price did much of the work on the boat and it looks great. The construction method makes for a very cost effective way of getting a competitive IOM on the water. Lisa is hoping to have the boat well tuned for the up-coming Woody Cup.

A rotating PRO was used today. Thanks to all who took on the duty without complaint. (The rotating PRO receives their average race points before discards for the race that they missed.)

Congratulations to Ray Joyce who is today’s winner after picking the wind shifts particularly well in the afternoon’s races.

Andrew Wardrop took second place recording five podium finishes for the day and finishing on a handicap of 80.

Third place was taken by Rick Price who has been regularly finding his way to the top part of the tally table in recent weeks.

I have been receiving some good feedback on how the new handicap system is working and some constructive ideas that we will try in future weeks.

Tas Water have informed us that they will be doing works at the Dam in coming weeks and again it will be closed to the public. This will mean that we will have to relocate to Montrose at least for the next two weeks.

There is plenty of sailing coming up with A class scratch racing on Saturday, Long distance racing on Sunday, and IOM handicaps next Wednesday even before the Show Day weekend of sailing.

John S.