Lincoln Radio Sailing Club

Wow what a day we had, Darin Ballington fresh from his World I.O.M experience was our OOD for the day and he had all the help he needed with a multitude of helpers , and you all know who you were, There was a great breeze from just west of South West when we arrived and we had 22 skippers take to the line for the first race which was to be on the East bank, This and race two was won by Pete W 678 it was a good breeze I would say 70 % A rig but was veering all the time, Dorian C 682 one of our loyal visitor’s took 2nd spot and another visitor Paul M 06 topped out with third , Same course on the East bank for the 2nd race which yet again was won by Pete W , Michael R 350 took 2nd and Neil W 40 took third , the visitors revelling in the fresh breeze.

The OOD then called a halt to racing whilst we all moved over to the South bank, and this is where we would be would be for the rest of the day, We raced as one fleet and so it was a little tricky to get your start sorted on the crowded line. Race three was one by one of our favourite visitors Chris More 102 and is a favourite because him and his wife Sadly missing today , have done many video’s of Radio Racing including quite a few at our club, Tim H 44 took 2nd and Ben W 65 3rd. The OOD Darin ran things really well and we all had plenty of time for Coffee/Tea breaks and a decent break for lunch, There was a fair bit of walking involved but we had plenty of cloud cover so it was not scorching hot. Up came race 4,, and I remember this well because I won it Mick C 46 , I got a great start and never relinquished the lead , the was a smile from ear to ear, 2nd spot was our eventual winner of the event Rob W who is always a bit of a slow starter and 3rd went to Gary P 109 from way up North .

The conditions were just about perfect for racing and if anything the breeze increased a couple of Knot’s as the day wore on. There were quiet battles going on up and down the fleet and some not so quite, with cry’s of Starboard and ” you cant go in there ” and so on , comical really and so glad for once I stayed clear of it ” yes I hear you say ” you sure , but it was all in good humour and I feel that everybody had a great day of racing and that is what it is all about. The visitors just out numbered the club members and I am pretty sure this has been one of the best turnouts for this trophy that we have had. Tim Hand a worthy winner of the trophy last year , had to give up the trophy to a very deserved Rob Wilson and so we kept it in the club for another year despite strong opposition from the visitors, maybe local knowledge played a part who knows .

Many thanks to all who helped get packed up in no time at all , and also many thanks to Graine Lambert for present the prizes to the successful skippers , Thanks to all and hope to see you all again soon .

Micky Boy C 46

Pictures Jen Hand

At 0830 the sun was beating down but the lake was as flat as a… very flat thing….

Mike W had most of the kit set up … we just needed some competitors… and some wind.

The competitors arrived … fresh faced and eager to race…. But still no wind. So we waited….

After a while it filled in a bit from NE which was a bit worrying as all the weather apps were showing light SWlys but Hey Ho and off we go with a very short course on the East bank.

Sam was quickly into his stride taking the first two races but Paul had other ideas for the third and grabbed top spot from Micky.

That took us to 11 o’clock and the wind was still very light and fluky so we had a break.

Taking a break was a good decision… the wind picked up a little and went SWly (as advertised) so we just reversed the course and set to again. Mike W liked the SWlies and took the next race and so did Micky who took 4 of the remaining 6 with Paul and Sam adding one each to their 1st Place honours.

So what started out as an unexciting prospect ended up as a good day of interesting and very good natured competition.

The whole thing was very much a team effort… everyone pitched in … and it worked…so thanks to all.

Ron.

Somewhat down on the usual numbers owing to many helms either competing or helping at the IOM worlds, 10 hardy souls still turned out on what was a cold and grey Sunday. Sailing was to be on the east bank but owing to the wind direction the beat was to be in two parts with a dog leg in it, this was then followed by a run before beating back to the finishing line, these short races allowed the race officer to get in thirteen races. With the first race of the day going the way of Mark Nicoll in his Alioth the bulk of the wins went the way of Rob Wilson and Mick Chamberlain, the only others to take a win were Sam Parker, Paul Kelly and Richard Jutsom with Richard only failing to take a second win in race six being passed in the dying stages of the race. The way to the front on the day was to make a good start, with most wins coming from a good start in clear air and rounding the windward mark first. Jeff Clarke in his (new to him) Venti also appeared to be getting to grips with it, improving race by race until coffee time after five races when he snapped the underdeck sheeting, putting him out for action for the rest of the day. Another victim of the dreaded string failure was Ron Austen, when his jib tie-down failed before the start of race eleven, putting an end to his day. The racing was good natured all day with penalties being taken when required and start line duties being done by everyone based on the order you signed on. Also, many thanks must go to Ron Austen who stepped up again to do assistant race officer duties, and to everyone else who helped pack up at the end of the days racing.

Sam (Race Officer)

The DF 95 had round two today , but just before it started Jen H mentioned that she had won something sailing wise and asked if Martyn had mentioned it , no I said , not thinking anymore. Ok so on to today, we had 12 skippers show up, a good fleet for sure, it was a blustery day from the North East , over the tree’s , but a decent top suit breeze for sure , we lost our first skipper who was in the dingy doing a rescue when a gust caught him of guard and into the water he shall go luckily no harm done and he decided to go home and sort himself out , ( he has been phoned and is AOK ) I can report , next to go was Mike W 76 when a block pulled out of the deck. Meanwhile racing continued up the East bank with very tricky and shifty conditions , to be sure, but the little lady mastered then to perfection and registered her 1st bullet of the day followed home by Kevin E 02 and Martyn in 3rd spot. I have got to say the beat was a nightmare ( for me ) and I guess some others, this was as always when the wind is in the North east, still it’s the same for everyone they say, trouble is some cope better than others. Martyn took the second win with Colin H 301 showing some big improvements from last time out, and Kevin keeping his powder dry with a great 3rd spot. Getting off the start line for most was not a problem , it was half way up the beat where it all turned to what we call ” Rats” but onward and upward, Sam P 59 in his cool calm way took the 3rd race in style, and you could see the smile it was a mile wide, race 4 was Martyn’s, but then Jen stormed back to take race’s 5 and 6 and I begun to wonder what the conversation was around the dining table !!!!!! Colin H 301 was pushing hard and took the next 2 bullets showing a little more aggression than in the previous two races when he got pipped on the line,, !!!!!! and please don’t be surprised but Jen H 69 won the day her calm and steady racing made this an easy win for her, and all she has leant up at ROWFAC has certainly been a huge benefit, of was it the flapjack’s , Hey well do Jen and well done to all for helping get the stuff put away, first class .

This fleet is pretty competitive , and our next round is the Martin Lambert which is at the end of the month when we welcome a few visitors to to test us .