IOM Mid Week Handicap

Today’s handicap racing was held at Montrose due to the closure of Risdon Brook Dam for maintenance works.

During the morning the wind was a very light North Easter and at times the fleet was little more than drifting. As a consequence we only sailed 3 races in the morning. After lunch there was a swing to the South East and a strengthening to a fairly steady 4-5 knots, which allowed us to complete 5 more races.

Thanks again to John Banks for his excellent work as PRO today.

A new buoy (buoy ‘B”) was positioned adjacent to buoys 11 and 12 but further seaward. This buoy will allow us to set good windward courses when the wind is from the South East as it was in the afternoon’s racing.

As there was a much smaller number of skippers starting today we decided to abandon regular handicaps and simply have three handicap groups starting at 0, 20 and 40 seconds.

Today’s winner was Rick Price  whose tally included 5 podiums from the 8 races. Ricks current form should stand him in good stead for the woodie regatta on Saturday.

Rod Marshall finished second racing his wooden Blitz and showing good boat speed.

John Cole-Cook filled the third spot. He has featured regularly amongst the place-getters for Wednesday handicap racing.
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There is lots of racing to look forward to over the Show Day weekend:
Thursday Marblehead resail (10:30 am Montrose)
Saturday IOM Woodie regatta (10 am Forcett Lakes Lewisham)
Sunday DF95 Scratch (1 pm Montrose)
Wednesday IOM handicap (11am Montrose)
 
Cheers
John S