IOM Mid Week Handicap

There was a good strong Northerly blowing down the dam when we arrived for todays Handicap Shield IOM round. The wind did settle before the start and we were left with about 5 or 6 knots mixed with some very light patches and some shifts to the North East. If there is any Easterly in the wind at the dam then it is, in my opinion, a wind which is not to be trusted! Many skippers today found themselves on the wrong side of a change in the breeze. I had electronics issues before the start of the event and didn’t even make the first race but was able to take on PRO duties for the day. 
 
We were without a suitable start box for the mornings racing. Andrew Wardrop made a quick dash home at lunchtime returning with his for the afternoon’s sailing. Thank you for that Andrew - a good start box certainly makes a difference.
 
A lot of the racing was quite close today. In several races the leaders run out of wind on the long down wind run to the gate while the rest of the fleet brought fresh wind from behind condensing the fleet and making for a tight finish. 
 
Ray Joyce took out the day with some great sailing from a back marker start. He and Wayne Behrens were the only two skippers to win two races. Wayne took second place (by virtue of that second win) on count back from Charlie Mansfield who had to settle for third. Congratulations Ray, Buzzy and Charlie.
 
Coming up: Plenty of great racing!
 
Saturday: Woodies regatta - David Murfett Memorial at Risdon Brook Dam (11:00 button press)
 
Sunday: Herb Tyson Trophy for A Class at Montrose (10:15 briefing for a 10:30 button press)
We currently only have 4 entries and require 6 for it to be classified as a ranking event. Please get your entries in if you are intending on sailing, otherwise the event will need to be put into abeyance this year.
 
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam (10:30 button press)
 
And don’t forget to enter for the IOM Southern Tasmanian Regatta on Sunday 19th April. Enter online - there is a link from out website.
 
Shorty