Race report 28th January 2024 DF65’s at Lincoln

Mike Williams as OD had the tricky job of setting the buoys and the course for a Southerly breeze blowing diagonally across the water. A zig-zag course was specified with 2 beats covering the full length of the South bank and a run from the upwind spreader mark back up to the top of the lake.

A+ sails were the order of the day with the 1½ lap course taking about 12 minutes in a good breeze that warmed during the day and occasionally gusted, causing some difficulties. The bank side was in a wind shadow which allowed judgement to be applied regarding how close to the bank one should sail and whether the available lifts were worthwhile.

Mick C showed his usual skill with the DF65, taking 4 of the 5 initial races before he had to leave for an engagement. He was hounded, mainly by Mike, Jen and Martyn en-route to his pole positions, but kept his cool and had to run the score sheet far more than he likes to! Mick’s absence from the last 3 races cost him the day as Martyn maintained a fairly consistent performance (apart from a weeded-up race) and got in front on final points count. Sorry Mick! Richard J found his form after a boat re-rig during the coffee break and took 3rd spot. It’s good to see Richard back after his Achilles tendon issues. Jen suffered a radio failure and took a long walk round the lake for her boat. There were no other serious issues.

It was a great sailing day, but only 7 skippers! Where are you folks? You are missing out on some really good competitive fun with these great little boats!

Many thanks to Mike for the setup and for guiding the day’s racing. Thanks to all for the group effort on the final tidy away. See you next week!

Martyn Aspinall

28th January 2024

Two reports for you all today

Lovely morning greeted 7 skippers only ( very small turnout ) Moderate breeze from the South East allowed A + rigs to be used on the South bank , Mike W kindly got the buoys out and a long beat and run course was set for the first two races before it was shortened to enable more races . The temperature was fine Sunny periods , and no rain. Unfortunately the assistant OOD did not turn up but we all mucked in, unfortunately the first fine of the 2024 season goes to Colin T .

The first 3 races were bullets for Mick C 46 with Martyn A 66 always in contention, in fact the third race, Mick C 46 nicked it with 12 inches to go to the finish, Race four Martyn got his just desserts by getting a good start and was never caught, around this time there were some comparison taken with skippers set ups , mainsail twist , where the booms should be , even jib twist was looked at, Jen H 69 then had a bit of a problem with the Radio , which after retrieving the boat from the far bank she sorted it during coffee break, Richard J 699 was not going too well , but a few adjustments and after coffee was going so much better and in fact took a couple of wins in the last three races, Peter C 110 got a very nice 2nd as did Jen H 69 , Mike W 76 had a couple of 2nds, A couple of skippers had to finish a little earlier than usual, and all in all it was a good mornings racing with a steady breeze, many thanks to all who helped out , and many congratulations to Martyn for the win which I am sure has him well in control of the series, Richard J 699 is recovering well from his Achilles, and is showing good form, A very nice day , just a bit short on skippers .

Mick C

A Grand Day Out.

Events in January are always at the mercy of the weather and coming into the 2nd Round of the Midland District IOM Winter Series it looked this may become a victim. The days preceding had seen below zero temperatures and biting Northerly breeze, to be followed by Storm Isha, offering 50mph gusts so it was with some relief when RO Darin Ballington was called on Saturday to say the lake was sailable, and then absolute delight when on arrival the competitors were met by a high single digital temperature and good top suit breeze straight down the lake. If it were not for dry January, you could call this champagne sailing at Lincoln Radio Sailing Club!

Although the fleet was smaller than usual; the weather and an unfortunate clash with other events probably robbing us of probably 10 skippers, those who turned up were treated to a fantastic day of tight competitive racing. The windward/leeward course was long enough to give everyone chance to shine, and with the odd tweak during the day the racing stayed fun and challenging for all, but it was obvious in the morning that Dorian had got his “game head” on and was going to be difficult to beat, although he probably didn’t think this as he was entangled with another boat on the start of race one.

Race one was won by Graham Whalley, coming out of the traps early and having his boat trimmed just right for the conditions he hit the sweet spot. A couple of competitors were hampered by their trust in the forecasters and the lack of A rigs in their cars. Lessons learned; I am sure.

The morning continued to be tough for those with their B rig on, however, by race 5 & 6 all competitors were equal as the breeze was now such that the gusts were flattening the large rigs too often and everyone had opted for their B Rig. Those who started on B, Tim Hand and Kevin Evison were now more competitive and earlier B rig adopter, Simon Richardson was showing the benefits of being in control, with a fine 3rd place. The front positions were tight all through the day with often 2,3,or 4 skippers crossing the line almost together. Dorian Crease was showing the consistency that would eventually pay dividends by recording three bullets and a 2nd in the first 6 races. Sailing his new boat, he was always fast and usually in the right place, mixing it well with the locals…

After lunch the wind (it was now wind, not breeze) had built to such an extent that C Rigs were put on by all the fleet, for some this was the first time these had been on, for others the cobwebs had to be brushed off, but it’s a testament to the quality of the fleet and preparation that we started and finished with the same number of skippers despite the strong gusts. After lunch the fight continued between Chris Elliott, Tim, Dorian, and Rob Wilson, with Rob showing more consistency to start to peg back Dorian, although from race 12 onwards Dorian pulled away again to take the day.

Tracey Ballington had one of her best days, with 4 third places to give her a well-deserved 5th place overall. The only competitor not yet mentioned is Mike Williams, who despite a few rig issues fought the wind and other skippers manfully, recording a fine 4th place in race 15.

With the light fading and the gusts strengthening the end of racing was called at 3.30pm and everyone was on their way home by 4.15pm.

At the prize giving everyone thanked the race team for a superb day’s racing, with Sam Parker, Colin Helliwell and Richard Jutsum doing sterling work to keep the racing competitive and fun.

Thanks guys.

Although the numbers don’t tell everything the race wins were:

Dorian – 9No

Rob – 4No

Tim – 2No

Graham – 1No

Sailing Images below and score sheet provided.

Cold but not too cold , 11 skippers arrived from far and wide, the sun was out most of the time and by start time 10 am we had a decent breeze from the North West, I say decent what I mean is with top suit on the boat heeled and moved forward, it was enough, and it increased as the morning wore on, everybody was happy The Hand family Tim and Jen were our OODs for the day, and a course was set on the South bank, With the water level so high only Chaz’s landing ( jetty ) was in use, two or three skippers were warming up in ready ness for next weeks TT at Southport.

Nice to see Richard Jutsum , he has a torn Achilles, and is recovering, and will be back racing soon , and so to the racing , a pretty tight affair all thru the fleet unfortunately we lost two skippers early on with servo/rudder/winch problems. First race up Mick C 46 took the bullet closely followed by Tim H 44 , 3rd place was Mike W 76 and Sam P 159 getting 4th spot, This series ,the DF 95′ is a great series because all boats are the very same design, slight difference in sail manufacture, and it is the skill of the skipper that will count, you need to do everything you used to do with your dingy in the earlier days ( when you was younger ) get a great start and try and be in the first three at the weather mark, play the shifts upwind and down.

Race two and same again for first two places , but much tighter with 46 winning by only an inch or two third place going to Martyn A 877 , and fourth going to Kevin E 02 before his servo gave out, Looking mid fleet Stuart J 92 was showing well in fact he got a brill start in race three and was never caught taking the bullet fair and square, Jen H 69 taking the second spot and Tim H 44 keeping well in the frame with a third, Mick C 46 was left floundering , Colin H maybe had his mind on other things and today was not contesting it, Sam P 159 will be pleased with his mornings work and sailed extremely well taking 5th place overall, The top three Mick, Martyn and Jen are all competing in Stockport next week and will be happy how the morning went, Tim struggled for speed at some points and knows he can do better. the racing was great and it was a very nice morning weather wise, Many thanks to all skippers and the OOD’s, thanks to Alan for a couple of pictures, and well done to Mick fro the win ,

Now then all you ex dingy racers who have never seen Radio Racing ,,pop along and take a look ,, some body is sure to let you have a go, you may not believe me, its exciting and will get the blood flowing , check us out. www.lincolnradiosailingclub.com

At last a break from the constant rain, but with a good, but light air forecast 12 skippers showed for what turned out some great racing, Micky boy and Kevin were down early to get things sorted, only 8 buoys left serviceable after the recent gales, but it was enough, racing was on the East bank, a slightly awkward direction making the weather mark a slight eyesight test for the old uns , but hey , a new Brit Pop was on show today with new sails, and it flew, wining the first three on the bounce, other skippers not really getting a look in, Rob W 97 sailing his Brit Pop ( don’t be fooled by the score sheet Fraktal it was not ) and he was well worth his second spot overall, racing was tight up and down the fleet especially the early races where the breeze coming out of the North was there to deceive the unwary. Chis E 74 took overall third spot. After the coffee break the breeze increased a couple of knots, and a gate was installed on the end of the downwind leg, it was all still very fluky, as is usual, but the young guns took the top three spaces, all with Brit Pops and so very well done to them, banter on the bank was great, and sailing/ racing was despite being very competitive carried out with respect for fellow skippers. Well done to Darin B for his win and to all who raced today .