IOM Mid Week Handicap

There were just ten starters for today's IOM handicap event at Risdon Brook Dam where a 5-10 knot Northerly offered perfect conditions for racing. 
Martin Svensen brought the wrong boat today but decided to stay on and officiate as PRO.  Good courses, definitive boat contact calls, and swift progression of races were features a really impressive job today. Thanks so much Martin. Thanks also to Phil Jackman who arrived a bit late today but gave Martin assistance with duties as well as scoring up a third place race finish in a borrowed boat.
The racing was close again today. In many of the races only about 25 m separated the entire fleet as we approached the final gate and races were frequently won or lost in the final short leg to the finish.
An honourable mention goes to David Woolley who started as front marker but was really hard to hunt down today. Sheep finished the day with three 2nd places and a 3rd on his score sheet. 
All skippers found the podium at some stage today. I managed to nudge out Ian Hey for third place overall by virtue of count-back. Bodges efforts today included his first race win with the V12.  Ricky Price came second and earned the nice feeling of winning the last race of the day. Ray Joyce was today's winner a clear 5 points ahead of Ricky and with enough dominance that he had to discard a 4th place. Well done Ray and Ricky!
All up it was a really enjoyable day's sail.


Coming up:
Sunday: The Mid-Winter IOM challenge at Risdon Brook Dam. (10:15 briefing for a 10:30 button-press) Late entries may be made on-line.
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap sailing at Risdon Brook Dam. (11:00 button-press)
Shorty