IOM Mid Week Handicap

The dam turned on a squally north-westerly today gusting mostly around 8 – 10 knots but with some gusts right up to 20. I think that everyone was grateful just to have wind after quite a few days during the winter when we have cancelled Wednesday sailing due to lack of it.

Most skippers chose the A rig for the first race but were well overpowered. A short break allowed most to scurry to their rig box for a change down to B. Those skippers who persisted with the A rig made a good call as the bigger rig helped them power through some significant soft patches and when the wind dropped a little they were best equipped for the last of the pre-lunch races.

Bruce Palmer was a welcome visitor today. Wayne Behrens  generously loaned Bruce his boat for a few races. Bruce is currently considering purchasing a DF 95, and under today’s testing conditions showed that he will be quick to pick up the skills. Welcome to Radio Sailing Bruce!

Huge thanks to John Banks for doing PRO duties today. John always keeps the event running smoothly and quickly. John needed to be on his toes today as many of the finishes were very close.

Congratulations to Peter Webberly who claimed the crown with two firsts and two seconds amongst other consistently good results. Ray Joyce took second place remarkably claiming a win in race 9 while on a starting handicap of +65. I have been analysing some of the previous race data and have found that it is extremely rare to win races once your handicap exceeds 55. It has only been done a couple of other times in the last 200 races! (I will have more to say about this later!) Mat Grey completed the podium with some super consistent results.

Sundays sailing will be a DF 95 scratch series at Montrose  at 10:00. Next Wednesday’s handicap at the dam will be for IOM’s.

John S