Mid Week IOM Handicap

There was a really nice Northerly of about 12 knots blowing straight down Risdon Brook Dam this morning but it did make Rig choice a difficult to decision. Eventually we all chose to opt for B-rig which worked well for the morning sail. The wind did moderate a knot or two during the day and while an A-rig could have been useful in the late afternoon races everybody stayed with their B-rig.
It was pretty much a perfect wind for IOM sailing with just enough shifts and gusts to make the sailing interesting.
Rod Viney and Mick Rowley have been regular spectators in recent weeks and this week helped with the starting and finishing of races during the morning. Rod has just launched a DF95 and hopes to be joining us for next weeks DF95 handicap racing. In the afternoon Leigh Behrens was about and he was able to assist Lisa with recording duties. Thanks Rod, Mick, Leigh and Lisa.
Tight racing today, with third place a three way count-back between Andrew Wardrop, Phil Jackman and Ray Joyce, who were all locked up on 24 points. It was very tight actually as all skippers had one race win a-piece and Phil and Ray also scoring the same number of 2nd and 3rd placings as each other. Ray took the podium spot with a 4th place in his mix.
I had a good day out taking second spot with four race wins and really good boat speed especially early in the day. I was particularly pleased with my win in race 7 as by that stage my handicap had made me the scratch marker, starting last off the grid.
It was John Hall who took out the day. He was without doubt the most consistently good skipper and finished with two race wins and four second places. Congratulations John!


Coming up:
Sunday: The club Annual General Meeting 10:30 AM at Montrose Yacht Club. After the meeting we will move to Risdon Brook Dam for IOM scratch racing.
Next Wednesday: DF95 handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam 11:00 button.
Shorty