It looked as though it was going to be a very nice day,, Micky Boy and Tim were down early to get stuff sorted at the lake , and loads of important stuff was well in hand with Jen, the breeze was not coming from the right direction but we got a course sorted on the South bank and so were ready when it played ball , took some time though but we sorted the course and got racing with hardly a delay. we needed to have starboard rounding at the weather mark to start with and in the main it went without problems, First race got away and the two Lincoln hotshots had lost their powder, Pete W suffering from a failed rudder servo and Tim H must have been brain fade but a visitor Neil Webb 286 took the bullet , with Paul K 19 2nd and Sam P 58 in third , race two and Paul M 06 led from start to finish, Richard J 699 took second and Neil W keeping his scores low took third spot. Race three and Tim H 44 started to get his act together but Pete was still in amongst the electrics, but at least things were looking brighter. Races 4, 5, and 6 , saw Tim H 44 back on top form taking all three bullets, in fact it was a one two for Son and Mum in race 4 and we were to see a lot more of Mum as the day progressed, Michael Read was putting in some good numbers, and It transpired that Pete W 678 was now using Tim’s spare boat and was not doing too bad.

A short break for lunch and an opportunity to get the scores put in the computer, Many thanks Colin H, By now the breeze had filled in and we had some pretty exciting racing , it had veered a bit too, and gave us a great beat and run course, The weather including the sunshine made the day absolutely sublime and with the cut of time of 4pm fast approaching it was always going to be a struggle to get 16 races in , we did get 14 and they were quite long, and I am pretty sure most went home happy, The final countdown and we had Tim H 44 take the top step , Michael Read from Hollowell RSC in 2nd and our very own Jen Hand 69 ( I told you we would see more of her ) who took third sport and in her own words, felt she had sailed extremely well. Just like to thank Grainne Lambert for coming to present the prizes, and to all skippers for their attendance and the manner in which the event was sailed, we look forward to seeing you all next year.

Micky Boy Chamberlain.

A few days to go and its time to get your entries in for this great annual event , I have checked the weather and it is warming up quite nicely, 20 C, also a nice moderate breeze from the East , Much the same as the I.O.M Nationals, You can enter the event HERE but don’t leave it too long, this should be a fab Sunday of DF 95 racing and we look forward to seeing you all.

Back to normal club racing after the very successful National championships, held in April.

I arrived at the lake, good and early,  Roger C, and Mick boy already there, getting things sorted. With one or two absent for this round , some up at Keighley with the DF TT‘s and Darren at the Marblehead Worlds in France, where we have just heard he has got a very credible third place, very well done.

The day started with the wind in the north which meant setting a course was a nightmare and we started to race on the Southbank which was the best of two evils, with Tim H taking two bullets, with Rob, Roger, and Chris fighting it out for the second the places

The wind moved round to the east slightly meaning a quick change of course, and moving to the east bank we had one more race before coffee break very close racing at the front and all the way down the fleet.

After coffee break one or two skippers, Roger Crates, and Richard Jutsum both having fantastic sailing  putting some solid results together.

So at the end of the day it was Roger C, who took the top step , well done Roger, Tim H, Rob W 2nd and 3rd . Some very close racing up and down the fleet in sometimes some very shifty gusty conditions.

And finally a big thank you to everybody who helped especially Colin Helliwell who did not sail, and did the start line and scoring.

Next week it’s the Martin Lambert DF 95 so get your entries in ASAP

Write up by Tim Hand , picture By Caz Hand

DF65 April 27^th Summer Round One

A lot of skippers away and after a an impressive IOM Nationals turnout was expected to be a little on the low side with many all sailed out.  However 5 skippers turned up on what has to be the best day of the year with bright sun and a wind at times to of A+.  I arrived early mainly to get out of emptying the dish washer and it was so pleasant to be at the lake just watching the wild life and listening to the Cuckoo.  Doctor who had obviously left as the Tardis was no longer there (that was the name of the extra porta loos for the nationals).  Every thing was laid out and we would be sailing straight down the east bank towards the club house.  As soon as Jen, Martyn, Sam and Adrian were there I jumped in the boat and had my first attempt at setting a course having watched Pete do it so effortlessly the previous week.  It was set so perfectly that we never had to adjust it although cut the course to one lap as it was on the long side.

I must admit I find the 65’s difficult partly due to this being the first rig I built and super glue finger prints are still visible on most of the joints with skin attached and most of the joints not in the right place….  The warm up went well and I was please with my boat speed compared to Martyn so one last adjustment was needed to really slow it down.  (lesson one not tinker).  The racing started the first three were all won by Martyn (who hadn’t tinkered) well not with his boat.  The banter was good and I bobbed around at the back with a very sick jib that only worked one way (lesson 2 check everything).  Martyn and Jen were having one battle, while Sam and Adrian had their own even threats of no dinner didn’t persuade Martyn to let Jen win I’m not sure if that’s a reflection of Martyn’s competitiveness or Jens cooking.  Race 4 saw Adrian get a growth spurt and have a really good win before returning to the back of the fleet in the next race and Martyn back at the front.  Coffee break was spent with an origami lesson from saw who after many years at Walkers Crisps can do a 101 things with a crisp packet.  Apparently Martyn also shares this passion.  After the break it was the Jen show with three straight wins….even I managed to beat Martyn in one race as his mind was still folding crisp packets.  The last 4 races were spread with everyone one taking a victory accept me which personally I don’t think was fair although we all mucked in and everything was put away quickly.

The day was as near perfect as you could get with lots of laughs some good sailing and apparently the first piece of weed collected by Martyn although to be honest it was so small we struggled to see it.  Thanks for everyone and we await the results although I know who came 5^th….but enjoyed himself and has now dismantled his rig and planning to use a crisp packet as a sail….are Quavers packets lighter sam?

Richard Jutsum