Long Distance Handicap Round 5 and A Class Scratch Round 5

A really enjoyable day today.

We had seven sailors. Four A Class yachts - three doing their final tune up before hitting the nationals next week- two RM's and an IOM on the water.

We had recently serviced and re-laid the buoys on the course. 14 in total to cater from wind from almost every directinon. Almost happened today, and a sou' easter hit us, making course selection near impossible. That said, Les did th ebest he could, with the conditions given today, to set up some fair and equitable courses.

We completed the first two races and retired for a BBQ lunch - kindly put on by MBYC - and an informal chat (all very fortunate with the little squall that came through on us). From this discussion, it was mentiond that we should look in to having a BBQ available prior to sailing each Sunday. Maybe set up yachts, have the BBQ ready at 12 with the MBYC sailors also welcome to join in, then start racing from 1pm. A great idea (I think) to include some social aspect to the days events (as well as the friendly beer at the bar afterwards). Please let me know if you think the BBQ would be a nice idea, and we will follow it up if there is enough interest.

After lunch, we completed another 5 races, to make it seven for the day. A pretty good effort, given the light conditions. 

Ray dominated early on, with some fantastic light weather sailing, but was crueled by some weed in race 5 and also got a handicap adjustment, making it harder to stick at the front of the feild. Stuart and Lisa both sailed very consistently throughout the day, both utilising the one drop for the day very nicely.

The A's had a swap of skippers in some of the races to test each others yacht out, with the results adjusted according to the skippers finishing position, rather than yacht. Just for the record, my DNF in race 3 was a big swap, with Lisa sailing my yacht, John CC sailing Rod's yacht, and Andrew sailing Lisa's yacht. Only menitoned as Andrew was the first A across the line on that race and again first A (second overall) in race 4.

For the Long Distance Handicap for the day, Lisa Blackwood came out winner, on 11 points, with Stuart Dawes second, on 14 points and Ray Joyce taking third place on 16 points.

A Class Scratch had Lisa Blackwood winning, on just 6 points, with John Cole-Cook taking second on 15 points and Rod Marshall third on 17 points.

Thanks as always, to Les, who PRO'd the day with his usual high standard.

Wednesday will be IOM Mid Week Handicap at the dam, starting at 11am.

Lastly, following on from my email last week in regards to the downwind mark rules. I have been contacted saying that the explanation source was really good and to send more out, so this week, I have included the windward mark rules, as I thought they'd be the same, but thay are in fact not the same.

Kyle