With the big boys away doing well at the IOM Nationals only 7 boats at this weekend’s club event, although one was a DF 95 and we noticed the slight difference in size and one boat had issues before it hit the water.  Through team work the issue was found to be a bad battery sending the winch servo haywire.  I tried to do most to the things the OOD does and with the help of Mike Williams everything was in the right place except the wind.  I probably missed a few things and the safety brief was a little short although with Mick C at the nationals most of the danger of someone falling in had gone.  Dave Rigby and myself moved a few buoys and set a course down the club house bank I’m sure it has a name but I’m still struggling with Port and Starboard. ( it is the South Bank )

It was apparent that there was a fair amount of weed sub surface, and the first few races pit stops were made to remove the dreaded weed but I think we managed to share it between us. As the wind changed we moved the course to the East bank for one race as the weed was far worse and the wind changed back.  Poor Chris Vincent making his first appearance in a DF65 had a really good start and was well ahead with the finishing line in sight only to catch the dreaded weed which stopped him in the water.  As the day went on the wind was a little stronger and the last few races were a lot closer with several being decided in the last few meters.  In all 11 races completed just before the heavens opened so we all stayed dry.  A good natured day with only a couple of penalty turns and as it should be everyone helping. 

Report by Richard Jutsum

Just a quick Note Dave Rigby snatches it from Martyn Aspinall on countback, and although weed has been mentioned, it is pleasing to see that it has not affected the final result. The last round of this series is on the 24th September.

Wow , yes that’s right wow ,, The Girls did their best on the footy Pitch, But Lincoln did not disappoint, with a stunning display of racing throughout the fleet, A rumour had said, there was a bit of floaty weed about, and all skippers were asked to get to the lake early and pick up a rake, they did just that and led by young Tracy , raking was well under way before 0830 with quite a few members picking up a rake, and clearing any green stuff from the sides, Darin was also out in the boat rake in hand, fantastic everybody, what a great start. We welcomed 18 skippers on this warm almost cloudless sky , with a decent top suit breeze from the South West, Rob, with the help of Darin quickly sorted a great beat and run course with the third beat , being a beat to the finish, Today was all about who could grab the bragging rights to take into the Nationals next weekend, Not sure who was doing the start line but during the morning there were a couple of general recalls, as you needed to be really on it with your starts, 1st race saw Darin 98 take the bullet, with Mick 46 in close attendance and proving that last week was no fluke Cooperman 39 took the third spot, With Mick 46 leading the fleet in the second race it looked a comfortable win , but a small error picking the wrong side of the gate Let Darin 98 in for his second, Mick also fell foul of some outside forces and he dropped a further 3 places with Pete W 65 and Dave 57 getting 2nd and third respectively, Race three and Tim 44 showed his hand , as did Rob 97, a short break whilst a course change was done ( the Start line ) and we were off again Pete this time picking up the bullet. The racing was fast and furious all through the fleet , with one or two small gust threatening a nose dive. Now I do know that one of our skippers has some hives and produces some very tasty honey, but I was as a racer getting a little confused by some of the calls that I was hearing, it seems Hubby and Wife have there own code, when sailing close together ” Starboard Honey ” was heard remarkable in this tough no nonsense racing, but in a way very pleasant and I have to say , personally I only heard good things being said , even when Mick 46 was leading just before the weather mark and fell over the scorers chair and lost control , on regaining control he was told politely, he needed to do a turn for hitting a starboard boat !!! ” turn done “It was great to see Stuart Jessop back after a longish layoff, and I think he may have seen how the fleet has moved forward during the summer months, New boy Chris 85 enjoyed, his first outing with the widget, and it was great to see Roger 30 with his K2 and especially getting three wins on the bounce, he certainly know how to take the scores by now,. A lot of skippers results were up and down during the morning and so now is a chance to analyze your performances, Re the Girls Tracy 49 has the edge over Jen 69 , and I am sure that will be a battle that will rage on and on, Jeff 174 had to pack up early because of eye problems, 2nd Place was on countback with Tim 44 nicking it from Mick 46 , but the satisfaction of having bragging rights going into the nationals is with Rob 97, .

We wish all the skippers from Lincoln a great weekend next week and hopefully it will be well reported on both on Facebook and of course the Whats App page. Many thanks to all who helped make this a great morning and helping to get all the kit put away.

Ten skippers arrived for this weekend’s DF95 round at Scotland Farm. The breeze some were expecting never materialised, so the A Rig was the straightforward choice.

RO Mike W set the course down the east bank and, with the races being just once through the gate, it meant ten enjoyable nip-and-tuck races were fitted in. Many finishes had a boat length or less deciding the places. Playing the shifts correctly, and – whether by luck or judgement – finding the puffs, was often key.

Lack of memory rules out a blow-by-blow account of the whole morning, but suffice to say that Martyn A remained consistent, really only marred by getting rafted up with another boat in the final race. In fact many skippers were able to record some good results, so no race was ever a foregone conclusion.

The other big winner was the weed, with the majority of races seeing at least one skipper needing to make a quick pit-stop. (Fortunately, for the rest of the fleet, it was usually Jen H…!). It can be surprising how much effect just a single two foot strand has on the boat, and it seems to have a knack for only getting picked up during a race!

A shower just after the break soon departed but left the wind a few knots lighter. It did return in the form of a torrential squall in time for the final race, making for a much wetter windward leg. Trouser leg, that is…

Congratulations to Martyn for a very solid overall win, and thanks to Mike for organising a great day and to the skippers for getting the stowing away done in short order.

Report by Colin Helliwell

Wow what a great mornings racing, conditions were perfect and race officer Pete had it all in hand with help from Roger , we were racing on the South bank, with the breeze just about top of A suit there were a couple of B suits out , but these were for necessity rather than an option Tony49G only had a B and Dave 57 had to change down due to a shroud breakage. we welcomed a new member Roger 30 who was sailing his K2 . Racing started promptly at 10 am, with Pete 65 taking the first bullet. 17 skippers showed and so the start line was cramped and you needed to be wise to get you slot and not be too early, the first race was a Venti wipe out taking the first three spots, 2nd race and Darin 98 took control , in fact it was family 1st and 2nd as Tracey 49R was in fine form throughout the morning, Roger was showing us what the K2 could do and I am sure he was enjoying the racing, No shouting on the bank even when there was a minor event of barging at a port rounding mark not a voice was raised, Darin 98 managed 3 wins on a morning he will admit he was not at his best, Micky Boy 46 and Pete 65 managed two wins a piece , Tracey 49R got one and probably the most improved skipper on the day was Mick C 39 with a win and a whole series of great results, and you can see for yourself how well he did and it was not fluke, lets hope his progress continues. Absolutely fantastic to see everybody giving it there all and enjoying probably one of the best racing days we have had for some time.

Interesting, That a Widget changed hands at the club and one of our new members has the benefit of a loan of another Widget Mk 2 and I expect that too will also be used on a regular basis , thanks to Darin for the loan.. There were some tense moments during racing , the first was Peter C 110 leading with Micky boy in hot pursuit, Micky Boy we to the wrong gate make which threw Peter’s brain into overdrive and he went round the wrong mark , throwing away a certain victory, another incident was Chris 11 leading to a mid course turning mark , followed again by Micky boy , was it port or starboard rounding this was the question asked by Chris %%$£:@{+)( , not sure of Micky boys reply but they both did the opposite , and the rest is history.

Fab morning as I have said well done all skippers for the manner in which it was sailed , and of course well done to Darin for his win , and also well done to Cooperman for an outstanding second,

We can look forward to round ten in a couple of weeks time .