Wow Spring has sprung , what a fantastic day of racing for the final round of the DF 65 Winter series, wind a little on the light side at times but a perfect windward leeward course set by Alan E and Ed W , The sun was shining , we had visitors , one hopefully will add to the DF 95 fleet , welcome Steve. Mick C got down early as the buoys were all over the lake due to the recent gales .and laid them out on the South bank . Mick Cooper had repaired the tripod for the start box and then went on to do some repaires on a Widget for the other Mick.

Mick C 46 had some bad luck before racing started when his bridle snapped , so he missed the first race , which was won in fine style by the much improved Alan E 890, with Dave R 180 and Jen H 69 second and third respectively, In race two after a hurried repair Mick C 46 , took the win with ease from the chasing pack, The boat sporting some 4 year old Icarex sails from Cat sails .

Race 3 and Mick was again out front but Gordon B 23 and Dave R 180 decided to go right at the gate 1st time round and due to a massive shift ended up well in front with a lead that was uncatchable , fair play. New boy Richard J 699 was getting to grips with his new boat and towards the end was sailing really well, Ed W 31 was also having a much better day.

All in all a great days racing, and many congrats to Mick C 46, who at times seemed on fire with speed in excess. Well done to all fro helping get the gear away and taking turns on the start line. So end of the Winter series and we can look forward to the Summer series that will start in April

Wow after the horrible weather the country has had these last few days , we were rewarded with perfect condition for this last round of the series, even the temperature was in double figures.. Before the start Mick C 46 had some misfortune when his Boat smashed into one of the jetty’s damaging both rig and jib , so for the rest of the morning he sailed with a B suit.

The racing was first class , breeze straight down the East bank, two long beats and runs and a shorter beat to the finish. We welcomed new member Richard 699, and as always it is a steep learning curve , and the first time his boat hit the water, a few things were perhaps not as they should be, But he enjoyed his morning and will have learned and taken in some great advice.

First race up and Rob W 97 newly converted to the DF clan took 2nd place from Pete W 678 , and you just knew this was a battle that will run and run. and you could not call the end result .The breeze was steady and not so fluky , probably for the most part 80 % of top rig , sometimes more, Jen H 69 took race two, and was not going to be shouldered out, and had some great results early on, Gordon B 38 great to see him out racing got a great 3rd in the first race, Colin H 169 who had a rapid sail change ( thanks to Jen ) just before the start, and he was certainly coming into his own in the DF fleet , you will see more of colin at the top end , just wait and see, Clarky 537 was struggling today but he will also be back with a few better tactical decisions.

The wind went light after race 6 , but this will go down as a great day of racing 12 skippers out and we still have a lot missing.

Our thanks go to OOD’s for getting it all sorted and very well done to Rob W 97 for his win, in Pete Websters old boat, tight margins 1point .

This was the last of the Winter series and the new Summer series will start probably in April after the big TT event at the club on the 1st and 2nd .

We hope to see you on the start line

Tim hand did RO.
9 IOM 1 DF95.
East bank very light and fluky conditions. Quite a long course allowing overtakes and undertakes.
Broke for coffee as wind went to a more SW direction with a course change. On the last race became very light with a park up for about 10 minutes. As the race concluded Tim asked for a vote to continue or not. Vote to can the rest of racing at about 1235. Everything cleared away by the time the last two finished. All racing as normal good spirit and penalties taken on infringement.
Tim suggested that the line be called by skippers on sail number order lowest first. Seemed to work and share the line calling fairly. Mick Cooper beat Kevin on countback due to his second place in the first race .

Well done all looks like a Light airs frustrating day that was seen in most places in England .

Wow , another great day of racing at Lincoln 13 skippers showed up on a chilly but very nice Sunday morning , A moderate N Easterly enabled racing to take place on the East Bank, Very shifty I have to say with a funny patch in the middle of the beat that caused more than one skipper some anxiety pulses. Young Jen Hand 69 was out of the blocks to take the first bullet, in style from Pete C 110 and Mick C 46 2nd and 3rd respectively, A new comer to the DF fleet but not to RC sailing Rob W 26 came close in race 2 with a second, and was learning fast. Pete W kinda hit a few boats in the first two races so it was an unusual bad start for him , but he clawed his way back. from Race 5 the retirements started for a variety of reasons, Alan N 232 was not having a great day, same as Ed W 31 , Geoff S 580 had his family down to watch so was keen to do well and I am sure he will be pleased with his result, included in the retirements were Mike W 76 , and Alan E 890, Race officer Adrian C 63 kinda missed the first three with gear failure which he eventually sorted, The Breeze all morning had some strong gusts and the beat was a test , get it right and you were away clean , get it wrong and the word dumped came to mind. Mick C 46 was sporting some 3/4 year old Icarex sails on and either his phenomenal skill or the sails definitely worked for him today, Him and Pete W 65 took four wins apiece and Jen picking up the last or in this case 1st one , We also welcomed ( although boatless at the mo) Richard a new member at the club who should take delivery of two shining DF’s next Tuesday so look out guys the fleet is growing, Still a few skippers missing but hey a good turnout for a chilly morning.

Great to see Gordon B out racing , after all his hard work on the new Jetty on the South Bank , but well done Mickey boy 46 for once always in control and he appeared to certainly have the boat speed, ahead of his visit to Southport for the first of the TT’s next weekend, Jen H 69 will also be at Southport so we wish them both well .

thanks to everybody who helped get the gear away and many thanks Adrian our OOD for the day

Comment

racing needs to start with at least two laps to allow separation for so that the final beat to the finish allows time for the two winners to get settled in time to take down the scores, Race one today proved a tricky one to sort due to only one lap and the first six crossing the line very close together , all good fun , well done everybody .

All you need to go DF 65 racing .