IOM Mid Week Handicap

There was a Northerly of about 10 knots when we arrived at Risdon Brook Dam for today’s IOM handicap racing. By the time that we were ready to rig up it had picked up to about 15 knots causing those who has rigged at home to change down to B-rigs. There were significant light patches but the B-rig was needed as there were substantial gusty squalls as well. The good thing was that the choice of B-rig was universal and so we at least the playing field was level.
 
Andrew Floyd didn’t make the start line today with electronics trouble but he did stay on until lunch to do PRO work. Thanks Andrew.
 
Today’s racing was a ‘handicap shield’ event. Generally the handicap shield races fall on the second Wednesday of each month (as noted in our race calendar) but if racing is cancelled on that day (as it was last week) then it is forwarded to the next racing Wednesday.
 
A few of the skippers expressed their disappointment about the weather last week causing us to cancel our trip to Forcett. So I think we might try to organise a ‘day out’ at some stage later in the year.
 
It was enjoyable sailing today even though the conditions were challenging. In many of the races tail-enders were able to make up good ground with gusts coming from behind. Many of the finishes were very close. Often the short leg from the gate to the finish changed the finishing order completely.
 
Today’s winner was Chris Wood who dominated the podium and had three race wins. It was a particularly impressive performance especially considering that Chris started well behind the rest of the fleet for every race.
 
Second place went to John Hall who sailed particularly well in the morning session.
 
And third was Commodore, Rod Marshall sailing the wooden Blitz today.  Rod seems to have the new handicap system well figured already. Fourteen podium points are required before a handicap penalty is applied for the next week. (Rod finished with 13.2!)
 
Congratulations Chris, John and Rod.
 
COMING UP;
Sunday: RM scratch racing at the dam. (10:00 button press) - Reminder that the day is open for any other yachts to come along and sail as well as we anticipate few Marbleheads on the day. RM Scratch will count as a scratch day if we have four Marbleheads sailing, otherwise it will be a "general sail day".

Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at the dam. (11:00 button press)

Note that Saturday's scheduled A Class Scratch has been cancelled due to a lack of confirmed numbers with an amount of regular skippers being unavailable on the day.

News from within the club
The committee have been busy working on possible solutions to access issues at Montrose at the point and we would like to share some exciting news that has recently developed for us. 
Ian Hey was enjoying a coffee with a friend, who was talking about a floating pontoon that he knew of that was possibly surplus to requirements, and Ian mentioned that the club could use such a platform at our Montrose sailing area. After a few phone calls and a site visit by Rod and Kyle to inspect it, we have been able to secure it, a Sailability T-Dock, which will be a very useful asset for us to gain safe access to the water at the point, as well as access at the front of Montrose Clubhouse and at the Dam if required.
We will shortly have this in our posession and will be working with council for possible attachment solutions at the point.
A big thanks to Ian Hey for his work in getting this moving, and thinking of the club when the topic came about. A fantastic example where you don't need to be a committee member to help the club. Anybody - if they hear or know of anything that can be of benefit to the club - can simply contact any committee member for it to be brought up and we will certainly discuss and act on it accordingly.