A great turnout of 16 Lincoln skippers and one visiting skipper, Mike Drew of Fleetwood MY&PBC, for the first round of the IOM Summer Series.

The weather appropriately was brilliant sunshine all day with a moderate wind in a northeasterly direction, ranging from mid to top end of A rig in strength.

The two Rodgers had arrived early and had kindly prepared the dingy and starting equipment ready for the race officers. The wind direction coming from the northeast, diagonally across the lake, made it difficult to set a course for racing. The OOD Pete W, assisted by Kevin E, opted for a course of the south bank with a zig-zag beat from the west towards the clubhouse followed by a run downwind to a gate in the south west corner of the lake. The short windward leg, large fleet and starboard rounding of the windward mark resulted in some challenging situations.

Racing commenced at 10am with Darin B taking the first win followed by Tim H and Rodger C in third. Four races were completed before the morning coffee break with Darin and Tim sharing two wins each, Chris E getting two seconds and Pete W beginning to show some consistency with a second and a third.

During coffee break top skippers were noted giving advice and tips to others which helps promote the standards and skills throughout the fleet and promotes a friendly but competitive fleet.

After the break racing continued with a further four races up to lunch, Rob W, Pete W and Darin B scoring some good results but Tim H7 dominated with three wins. Tracey B, sailing with a new rig, showed improving results during the day as adjustments were made and Martyn A was stringing a series of good consistent results together.

As the day progressed the wind direction was more from the east and the course was changed to a single longer beat towards the clubhouse with a port rounding windward mark and wing mark, which proved to be a less challenging course.

After eight races a break for lunch was taken and a number of skippers left for other commitments and Rodger B decided he had walked far enough and volunteered to monitor the start line for the rest of the racing (many thanks Rodger). Chris E unfortunately sustained damage to a sail and had to retire.

The final five races continued with the same skippers at the sharp end of the fleet, Rodger C taking three wins and Tim H taking two.