IOM Mid Week Long Distance Handicap

RBRYC Results - IOM Mid Week Long Distance Handicap

Today we had our first Wednesday Long Distance event. Blue skies and light winds prevailed with a Northerly of 0-3 knots for the morning session of three races. After a BBQ lunch the wind had changed to the South and was perhaps a knot lighter and so all up, testing conditions for the skippers on the big course. We did have some great sailing though and improvised handicaps lead to some very close racing.
We were not informed that there would be inter-school cross country running on today but the organisers were very happy to have us sail as usual and neither of the sports caused any trouble to the other.
Today’s results will count towards the Handicap Trophy presented at the end of the season. We hope to have at least one more of these events during the year. The trophy winner will be decided by combining the races from both days as if they were one event. So the results from the five races today will be added to the results from the races from the next event to determine the annual winner – even though that day will have its own ‘published’ winner.
John Cole-cook took out third place today after arriving late and missing the first race. John and Ricky Price spent last week on a sailing trip to Port Davey and their return trip was in 8 metres of South Westerly swell. Much calmer on the dam today!
 Ray Joyce took second place overall. Ray’s effort in the first race was particularly memorable. He rounded the final gate mid fleet but in a tight pack then snatched a race victory by passing plenty of skippers on the last short beat to the finish.
The day belonged to Phil Jackman though a who completed the event with an ‘all podium’ scorecard after discarding a 4th place. 
The rest of the feet was very close on points with the next 8 competitors separated by just 7 points and three tied results in that mix too. All up it was an enjoyable day with some great racing.
Quite a few skippers commented about how the format of a single class and the Risdon Brook venue being much better for long distance racing.
Coming Up
Saturday and Sunday. The State A-Class Championships at Trevallyn. Good luck to all competitors
Next Wednesday: DF95 Handicap Racing at Risdon Brook Dam. (11:00 button-press)
Shorty