IOM Scratch

A mid strength B rig breeze greeted the seven sailors who could make it today, which only intensified as the day wore on.

Unfortunately, as happens on days like this, we had quite an attrition rate, as yachts exposed their weakest links. One, a rudder servo failure, another popped its hatch cover and wanted to sail half full of water, another with the side stays parting from the mast and a fourth also with rigging failure. All good to happen now though, so we can make sure everything is just right for the IOM Regatta in a months time.

Back to the sailing, and we had some really good, close racing amongst those on the water. In the end though, consistency again won the day with Ray's Britpop sailing very well in the conditions, also a testament to the hours of work put in to making sure the yacht is ready week after week.

John Hall was also very consistent with his sailing, thoroughly deserving his second place, with Mathew Gray coming in third. He would have been much closer with John, had he not have volunteered his yacht to Stu for the last two races.

I had a close look at Stu's recently completed Goth Woody and he has done a fantastic job building it. Certainly looks a professionally built yacht.

Further North, we had five sailors contest the A Class State Championship. Unfortunately, there was little to no wind yesterday, and only three races were completed, but they had much more wind today.

Congrats to Mike Hickman, who won the event, from Lisa Blackwood and John Cole-Cook in third. Rod Marshall also sailed very well with his A Class as did Andrew Wardrop, who would have finished higher in the placings, but elected to save his yacht from possible damage when the wind got right up there.
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Special thanks should go to Ian Dickinson for running the event up there (sacrificing his sailing for the weekend) as well as the NWRYC team for putting on a great weekend as always. Something we need to try to make happen much more often between the clubs.

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