Tasmanian IOM Championship 2017 . 4th and 5th November 2017

The 2017 IOM  Tasmanian Championships were conducted over 2 days on 4 and 5 November 2017.  13 races were held on the Saturday at Montrose Bay and the 11 Sunday races were transferred to Risdon Brook Dam due to a jetski racing event being held close to the Montrose Bay Yacht Club.
 
Conditions on the Saturday were challenging with a squally NW to SW flow and the courses being adjusted to suit.  Most competitors stayed with A rigs for the day and those that went to B rigs soon changed up.
 
The Sunday weather was a light and patchy NW to W and then a seabreeze eventually set in after lunch with some steadier breeze.
 
John Gard did a magnificent job as PRO over the 2 days and had to  continually review courses after most races.  Thanks go to John for his efforts.
 
Some of the potential front runners had some issues on the 1st day.  John Cole-Cook missed 2 races due to a broken winch line.  Peter Darcey dropped his transmitter into the Derwent River and had to make a quick trip home for a spare and missed 3 races.  Lisa Blackwood could not start in the last 6 races on Saturday due to a major electrical fault.
 
At the end of Day 1 Michael Hickman held a narrow lead on points from Rod Jackman so the Sunday was set up for a ding dong battle at the Risdon Brook dam.
 
Rod and Michael had great racing with Rod turning the tables on day 2 for a great victory after the 24 races.  John Cole-Cook improved each race following his winch issue to finish 3rd.
 
 
Chris Wood