Coming up on Sunday the 15th at Lincoln ,is the last of our I.O.M pop up Winter meetings , we have already got a great entry, but we have room for one or two more . You need to get booked in via the MYA Website https://www.mya-uk.org.uk/events/#events/event-details/68ff69331c14d5031ab63cb8/

Hey that’s it .

DF 95 WINTER SERIES round 7 ,, 8/3/26

Write up from Paul Kelly

A TALE OF TWO PARKERS, AS FLEET BATTLES LIGHT CONDITIONS.

Wind, water, and sheer stubbornness all played a role today. In scenes that could only be described as “eleven races of controlled patience and consistency,” We saw 5 different winners in the 11 races sailed.

Sam Parker (Sail #59) claimed the honours for today’s edition round 7 of the DF95 Winter Series at LRSC, finishing with a miserly score of 20 points — a total so low it made the rest of the fleet question their life choices.

Hot on his transom came Paul Kelly (#19) with 21 points, who came agonisingly close to glory and will doubtless be replaying Race 11 in his head for the foreseeable future. One point, Paul. One point.

Third place went to Colin Helliwell (#301) on 26 points, who collected podium honours with the serene expression and calm of a man who has absolutely been here before and isn’t remotely surprised.

The mid-fleet battles were, by all accounts, spectacular. Mike Holmes (#22, 29 pts) and Kevin Evison (#02, 32 pts) traded water like seasoned professionals.

Ron Austen (#884) sailed very well, regularly at the sharp end of the fleet and showing good pace. Ron took line honours in Race 6, the first race after the coffee break. So all eyes next week on the brand of Coffee and Cookies Ron brings.

Meanwhile, in a subplot worthy of its own regatta, Malcolm Parker (#31) and Colin Toll (#431) were showing good  pace. Never far off the leading boats and having great battles in the mid fleet.

Overall a great days sailing with help from many hands to set up and pack away at the end. Making my job as OOD a simple and pleasurable one.

What a great day for racing, mainly sunshine great breeze that increased during the morning, but remained a top suit kind of day.

Skipper were arriving early to get the set up and sort the trim for the conditions as best they could, the bank looked crowded, and so it was with 16 skippers, sailing a variety of designs, and all as keen as mustard to do well. We need to thank Malcolm who did our starting ( as his boat was not quite ready to hit the water this week, we also need to thank Darin and other’s for sorting out the race course and getting buoys moved with the trusted Dingy. We got started 10 minutes early , as all were present, and with 16 on the start line you needed your wits about you, mainly because no favours would be asked, and for sure none would be given , It was a good beat and run course with three great beats, Pete W 65 managed a great start although chased hard by Tim H 134 in the Brit Pop and Roger C 30 with his very quick Venti, who I am told went for the wrong finish after getting ahead by some margin.

Battles were going on all through the fleet, and with a good long course all was not lost if you messed up somewhere, the racing must have been a joy to watch, and the beats could become a little fluky but certainly not lacking in breeze. Race two had Darin 98 take the bullet, with Micky boy 46 getting a well deserved 2nd spot, Roger C was keeping his powder dry with another 3rd spot.

Rob W 97 was having winch problems and Paul K 44 obviously had an A rig problem which put him out for a couple of races, he eventually cam back with a B rig and was a little under powered but this would change as the breeze gradually increased during the morning and in race 7 managed to nab a second place. Young Tracy 49 was having a fine battle with Jen 69 just winning the battle of the ladies, and \I have to say sailing better than I have seen her sail in a while , but to be faire she does have a great Mentor ( her Husband ). Mike H 27 and Ron A 175 who are fairly new to the sport are improving steadily which is great to see, and Richard J 89 is just not getting the best out of his Viss , but don’t Panic Richard it will come good. Mick Cooper was also going well and gave a few people some a run for there money on more than one occasion with his Venti.

By race 5 Darin had got his act together with five straight wins, Tim H was going well , but probably not as well as he knows he can, but interestingly the, the top two Darin and Tim, are the Lincoln clubs skippers who have qualified for the forthcoming worlds that will be held in May way down south in Datchet water, and they were only split on countback ,, third spot went to Roger ,only one point adrift. I have got to say that this club racing at Lincoln is second to none and certainly the place to be for competitive I.O.M racing, everybody I am sure went home with a smile on their face, just one thing to add thanks to all for helping put the gear away, and we hope to see you all in two weeks time for our extended day Pop up event .

I.O.M MDWS Round 4 @ L.R.S.C Pop up Event. Incorporating Lincoln Winter series’ Round 10.

Rain I’ve never seen rain like it , Well I have actually, but it did not dampen the spirits of the 20 odd skippers who showed up for a great day of I.O.M racing, Tea ern on and boiling for a welcome cuppa on arrival , the race team on the go getting everything sorted, and ready to race at 10 am sharp. We were running two fleets under normal HMS with 4 up/down prom/demo etc. Racing started on the East banks with a great top suit breeze say 70% even if it was not quite the direction we would have liked. it was fine . The two seeding races got under way and were won by Peter Stollery and Josh King, interestingly, both of these skippers have been selected to represent the UK in the upcoming World I.O.M championships in May as have others in this very hot fleet of skippers, in fact 5 skippers in total.

There were a variety of designs 9 different in the 23 on show racing today ,9 Brit Pops and one Pop ,( a derivative I am told ) 6 Venti’s , among other’s and skipper’s from as far afield as Birkenhead ,9 The home of radio Racing I was told ) Fleetwood , Cambridge and Suffolk and somewhere else ,way down south. A short break to sort the fleets out and away we went with B fleet away first, The system that works out how we can score all the boats as one fleet is a little complicated but does the job really well on the laptop into the results you see below, Race two and three were won by local lad Tim Hand, 134 with Martin R 22 keeping close and taking the second spot after a slow start in the first race. It looked as though the Brit PoP’s in very capable hands were going to be asking all the questions on the day. The Breeze stayed steady and the bank became very slippery ( Non stop rain ) for the first few races, but gradually the breeze backed enough and we were all transferred to the South bank for the remainder of the day, the rain also got lighter and eventually stopped, it was in fact much dryer under foot, Racing was moving at a good pace and the fleet board crew were doing an excellent job keeping it moving. A short Lunch break was had with Micky Boy sharing out his cake, yes he was 80 , he is not sure how he got to that age but he did, also to be mentioned we had a young skipper who is just starting out young Hayden W 154 , he is 12 years old and definitely the future ,,sailing well above his young years.

It was a battle royal between the top half dozen skipper’s all fighting tooth and nail for every point , but at the end of the day it was Martin R 22 with his Brit Pop that took the win with a good margin from Tim H 134 and Peter Stollery 391 taking third position, so we had 2 past World Champions in the top three , some fantastic racing in a great spirit. Well done to all and thanks for coming to Lincoln, it would not have been possible without Jen Hand and all her willing helpers , and you all know who you are, Jen , Penelope, Ron , Mick , and of Course Tim H , OOD, and the guys and Gals who tore around in the dingy sorting the course Darin, Tracy , and separating boats where necessary. Brilliant day well done all.

And well done Lincoln for sorting this great series out, and all the clubs that supported it.