Come to a lake in Lincoln that doesn’t even show up on google maps they said, in November they said, it will be freezing cold & blow a gale they said, it’ll rain, you’ll get muddy and parts of your body will go numb they said. Well they weren’t wrong but I’m still happy I said yes to the inaugural DF95 Nationals at Lincoln Model Yacht Club.

For the full report go to https://dfracinguk.com/2016/11/07/df95-national-championships-2016-lincoln-myc/

Sue Browns fantastic pictures here   https://www.flickr.com/photos/catsails/sets/72157676167225916/

Report in Yachts and Yachting  go here   http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/193113/Dragonflite-95-Nationals-at-Lincoln

admin mick

The 3rd running of this event brought a Northerly breeze top suit conditions and beautiful sunshine , The 28 competitors enjoyed great racing in two fleets , Seeding went as planned for some and not for others , the Brit Pop of Darin B taking the next three races with John T not to far behind and Dave B keeping the leaders honest, new boy Craig Raistrick from Rotherham showing some fine form in his MX 14. Tim Hand a dingy sailor, back for the first time in a year with an I.O.M sailed a borrowed V9 into 7th place. The weather stayed fine all day untill the last heat of the last race when the heavens opened and ensured we all went home with wet pants, The prize giving took a little change in the top three got their just deserts and the next three winners were drawn from a hat and if you weren’t there you missed out,. Every body went home very happy after a great day’s racing, and many congratulations to our winner Darin Ballington GBR 98 for his victory.

Most important was the Team that helped it all happen on the day and many thanks to Liz Bacon who handled the bacon buttie’s on the day , ( yes that’s right ) her right hand lady was Jan Cooper ,Jackie Hunt who did the scoring with help from Liz Tushingham who had a day off from sailing, Our finish line judges Ed and Alan who did a brilliant job Mick Chamberlain who fluffed around all day, Phil Harpham our race officer who did brilliantly, and most of all Jen Hand for putting this annual event on ,If I have forgotton anybody Sorry , and I think it fair to say that Clive would have been looking down and would have heartily approved at the good-natured manner in which the sailing took place.

Many Thanks to all we raised £ 85.00 for the R.N.L.I a great achievement.

Worthy winner on the right DB, with Jen Hand and OOD Phil Harpham

Fantastic Prizes

All Smiles from the Podium

Yes these three boats were on the podium .

Tim Hand gbr 141 leading the fleet down the run

A great day of racing .

More Pictures here if it all works   https://www.flickr.com/gp/122298954@N04/p59k2y

admin Mick

I.O.M Summer series had a slightly disappointing turnout for what turned out to be one of the best days of the year in all respects . A top suit Breeze from the south west and for the most part 90% of top suit and just sometimes there was a bit of nose diving on the run. A great course was set by Keith and Jen and with a swift 4 minute turnaround 12 races were done and dusted by 1 pm. Micks V9 kinda a bit lucky to win this one but hey they all count,  and the racing was hot up and down the fleet, The weather was warm and by Tea break due to the walking / running everybody needed an energy drink , Couple of things the new jetty came in very useful thanks to the Wednesday gang and the clubhouse seats now have some fantastic new cushions thanks to Jen Hand. I must say the orange Lintel 39 had a good day and in race eleven crossed the line deservedly first, and in the following race only inexperience stopped him from a second place, For someone who has been sailing less than a year very well done Mick Cooper .

thanks to the race team for their hard work , it was  a most enjoyable mornings racing

 Winner of this round Mick C on the right in his younger days

The V9 GBR 46 at full pelt piccy Sue Brown