IOM Summer Scratch Series Round 5

A sunny start to the day today. Ideal maybe, except for the initial lack of wind. Very light conditions out on the point.

We did get a gradual increase in wind as the day wore on, up to about 10-12 knots in all, but those skilled in lighter weather sailing certainly took full advantage of the conditions.

We had a few sailors who have been away from the Sunday sailing for a while. It was great to see John Short back on the water. Andrew Price sailed today with the club IOM, which will be in his possession until he gets his own yacht. Andrew sailed very well, being very competitive in many races, however, lucked out as many of us do with the combination of little errors over the course in comparison to the top 5 or so skippers. Time is your friend, and over time, those mistakes will reduce markedly and you will really be pushing those in front of you. Martin Svenson also returned today. It was great also to have you sailing again on Sunday scratch. Hopefully, with a bit more advice on tuning etc, we will have you challenging further up the field. 

Thanks also to those sailors who helped others out with some tuning tips and advice. It's what we really ant to encourage for new and not quite so new skippers alike.

At the end of our 9 races today, Michael Hickman proved too hard to beat, with a very consisten days sailing, coming first overall with 16 points.

Just behind, in second, was Stuart Dawes - really sailing his Plan B well - on 18 points.

Third today, was Mat Grey, just one point further behind, on 19.

​On handicap, John Hall was our winner today, with 4 rank differential points (seeded 11th, finishing 7th), with a three way tie for second, with Michael Hickman (seeded 4th, finishing 1st), Stuart Dawes (seeded 5th, finishing 2nd) and Rod Marshall (seeded 12th, finishing 9th) all sharing 3 rank differential points.

With an excellent field of 14 yachts, there were a lot of little battles thoughout the day, which added to the enjoyment of the whole day.

Thanks also to Les, for again taking on the Pro duties.

This Wednesday, we have IOM Handicap, and believe it will be returning to Risdon Brook Dam as it was open yesterday. We will advise if the dam is closed, but otherwise, we will be sailing there on Wednesday.

Next Sunday is RM Scratch, from 1pm.

Some more updates for everyone. The RM State Championships will be changing location to Risdon Brook Dam due to unsuitable tides at MBYC on that weekend (4th-5th December). We are getting this change cleared with ARYA, but see no impedement to us needing to do so.

Christmas is coming as well, and on the 19th December, DF95 Scratch will be starting at the Winter starting time of 10am, so when we finish sailing on the day, we can break for a lunch together at the club, and have our annual presentations during the lunch. Please let Andrew Wardrop or someone on the committee know if you will be attending, so we get our catering sorted for the day

Kyle