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