IOM Mid Week Handicap

There was plenty of fog and just a hint of frost about as we made our way to the Dam this morning but a sunny day was forecast and a katabatic North-Wester of about 8 knots greeted us when we arrived.

PRO Pete Turner got us off well on time and with the thought that the breeze might die conducted 6 races before lunch. Pete set some great courses today and made a good course change call when the wind shifted late in the day. Thanks for your work today Pete.
Who would have thought that we would get a sea-breeze a week before the start of winter? But by the end of the first race after lunch a meek but persistent sea-breeze had filled from the South-West.

Race 9 turned out to be a bit of a debacle when some of the leading boats failed to finish correctly after thinking that there was another leg. In addition to this the PRO’s pen ran out as other boats were finishing correctly. It was consequently decided that the results for this race should not be counted in today’s tally.

It was the middle-handicapped boats that did well today with Phil Jackman taking the honors with consistent high placings. This was demonstrated by the fact that both Trout’s discards were 5th placings.

John Hall took second place and always seemed to be amongst the leaders today.

I managed third overall today getting a couple of race wins early but then finding the handicap penalty a bit onerous.

Incidentally the partial data recorded for the cancelled race 9 data was: 1st - John Hall,   2nd – Phil Jackman,   3rd – Ray Joyce,  4th Wayne Behrens. When I input this into the tally sheet there was no change to the first two places overall Trout wins from John Hall but Wayne Behrens jumpped into third.

And not to rob Trout of any glory but I think that most skippers would agree that on a beautiful day like today ‘Radio Sailing was the winner!’

Next Wednesday’s handicap at the Dam, being the first Wednesday of the month will be for DF95’s.

Sunday’s sailing will be RM Scratch at Montrose with button press at 10am.

John S