IOM Speak Up Stay ChatTY Regatta

The annual Speak Up Stay ChatTY regatta was held today at Risdon Brook Dam. The event saw thirteen IOM skippers compete in a gusty and shifty North Westerly wind of 5 - 15 knots. ​

A-rigs were the go-to choice for the morning’s session. The wind did pick up a knot or two over lunch which sent some skippers to their rig box for the B-rig. While the small rig did help maintain downwind stability it was the bigger rig that was the better choice as there were some significant calmer patches.

Tom Mullane-Grant from Stay Chatty visited at lunch time. While a keen sportsman Tom admitted that he did not have much idea on sailing - radio controlled or otherwise. What he did say was that he was impressed by what he saw both from the sporting and club commeraderie aspect. While we enjoyed a BBQ lunch (thanks tong-masters Andrew and Lisa), Tom outlined the history of his organisation and told us of the valuable role that sports clubs like ours can play in fostering strong mental health. More of what Tom had to say will be written up in our next club newsletter. The regatta collected just on $ 200 in donations for the Stay Chatty organisation and our club will further add to that as we believe that the values of Stay Chatty align well with those of our club.

A few of the skippers commented that they like the handicap system used. (All skippers start on scratch, then 15, 10 and 5 second penalties are applied for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placed in each race). The good thing about this system is that it is the same for everyone - all skippers start the first race on scratch - and so the winner of the day is the skipper who has genuinely sailed the best. I am not certain however that we should use the system every week as I am pretty sure it would lead to the same skippers winning each time. Great for a special event like today though.

An honourable mention goes to David Woolley. ‘Sheep’ gave up a couple of races in the afternoon session when he realised he had the wrong rig up. He re-suited to the A-rig for the last race and lead the whole way around - even out-tacking Gary McCarthy in the last beat to the finish.  Alan Short’s efforts are worthy of mention too. He was always in the mix today, was cruelly robbed of a race win by weed, but finished 4th overall which is reward for the dramatic improvement that he has made since getting his new boat.

As far as overall honours are concerned the winning trio were a good street ahead of the rest of the pack. Jammy Jones took out 3rd place after having an excellent afternoon session. Ray Joyce secured 2nd place with two race wins on his scorecard. But it was Lisa who won the day deservedly with three race wins and even discarding a 4th place result. 

All up, some very close racing in the speak Up Stay ChaTY regatta.

Coming up:
Saturday and Sunday: IOM State Championships at Montrose. Saturday briefing 10:15 button-press 10:30
Next Wednesday: DF95 handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 11:00 button press.  
 
Shorty