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BOM forecast was for 10 to 15 knots from the south/southwest tuning westerly by mid-day but in reality was out by a factor of 10 with 1 to 1.5 knots on average, building to 5 to 8 knots around mid-day, from a roughly southerly direction. Add to that the topographical effects of the Brook and variations from east to west were experience by the thirteen skippers that fronted for the midweek series. Seven skippers brought their IOM's and 6 skippers brought their DF95's including the addition of David Jones' and Wayne Behrens' new Dragon Flites. Ray Joyce took control of the mob as PRO and many thanks go to him. With the new 1 + 5 minute handicap start sequence in use, handicaps for the IOM's were allocated with no real surprises. Alan McKenzie was off scratch, John Smith and Wayne Turner off 30 seconds, David Murfet and John Banks off 1 minute and the two backmarkers, Stuart Harris and Bruce Rose off 1 minute 30. The DF95's all started "off scratch" starting after the IOM's on the 3 minute mark. Course for the one lap races was start between 3 and 4, up to 1 and out to 2, run down to 6 and into 5 and a moderate beat back up to finish between 3 and 4. With the westerly swing later on, the top marks were reversed with a cross over down to 6, keeping the start line to starboard. Race1 saw John Banks take the win in the IOM's from Stuart Harris in second and Wayne Turner third. In the DF's, line honours went to yours truly with Chris Wood second and Anthony Castray third. Race 2 saw the previous top three IOM's mix it up with Stuart Harris beating Wayne Turner in second and John Banks all on the podium again. In the DF95's, Anthony Castray took the gun from myself in second and Jammy taking the first podium with his new boat in third. Bruce Rose took line honours for the IOM's in Race 3 with Stu Harris grabbing another second and John Smith rounding out the top three. Chris Wood got the judges nod in the Dragon Flites with myself second and Anthony third. After lunch, racing resumed with the Commodore taking the win from Wayne Turner and Stu Harris third in the IOM's. I grabbed another win in the DF95's with Andrew Wardrop finally getting on the podium in second and David Jones notching up another third place. Race 5 IOM winner was Stu Harris on the podium every race so far followed home by David Murfet and Alan McKenzie sailing well into third spot. A double for yours truly with Chris Wood second and Andrew Wardrop third in the DF's. The final race of the series saw Bruce Rose grab a second win from second placed Wayne Turner and third placed John Smith on the podium again. In the DF fleet, I took a hat trick from Anthony Castray second and Chris Wood third. Winner of the Plonk Trophy in the IOM's was Stuart Harris with a comfortable 5 point win from Bruce Rose on 14 points and scratch marker John Smith taking third place on countback from Wayne Turner both on 16 points. A comfortable win also for number 39 in the DF's with 6 points from second place Chris Wood on 12 points, 1 point ahead of third placed Anthony Castray on 13 points. The mixed fleet racing worked very well, I must say. One small negative for the day was when an infrequent skipper turned up. After the Commodore informed him of the ring road entry requirements for vehicles, David was subsequently told where to go and the person drove off again. With that attitude, people like that are NOT welcome at RBRYC. Sunday sees Round 4 of the Marblehead Winter Series with racing from 11:00 AM. Til then, wet sails. Stuart Dawes. 
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