IOM Winter Scratch Round 1

​A perfect day greeted us today at Risdon Brook Dam. N/NW winds varying from 4-8 knots thoughout, all in a steady direction - meaning we ahd absolutely ideal windward/return legs allowing for a lot of strategy on the upwind beats.

Eleven sailors turned up today and after a small delay with some bouy adjustments, Les soon got us under way.

Unsurprisingly, from the outset, Mat was showing the way, but we had a tight group of yachts challenging for the podioum positions.

For the first time in a long time, we had a protest hearing in one of the races. All handles without emotion or people getting upset, and result determined. My own personal opinion is that these instances should not be shied away from as it gives us all a valuable lesson in this side of sailing, which is very important for when we sail in higher level events.

We got eleven races in int he end, with the breeze threatening to soften in the last few races, but still hung about for us.

Today, Mat Gray was the winner, on 12 points.

Second place went to Lisa Blackwood, 3 points in arrears on 15

Third place, a further three behind, on 18 points, was Mickael Hickman - I believe the first sail day for his V11.

On handicap today, Kyle Stewart came out a clear winner on 4 net points. Equal second, on 1 net point was Lisa Blackwood, John Hall, Andrew Price and Rod Marshall.

Thanks to Les Hanson for his ever consistent Pro duties.

Coming up

Wednesday is DF95 Mid Week Handicap at the dam, button press at 11

Next Saturday 6th May is teh Herb Tyson Trophy at MBYC. Button press is 1030. We currently ahve just 5 yachts entered in this event. Should we not get six entries, the day will still go ahead, but it will lose its ranking event status, so please, if you wish to enter, do so as soon as possible. If you would like to have a try sailing the A Class yachts, let me know as we do ahve some yachts about that can be made ready for the day.

Next Sunday, 7th May is the DF95 42 Degrees South Regatta, at Risdon Brook Dam, button press at 1030. This is also a ranking event, with "normal" entries closing tonight and late entries closing on Friday.

Kyle