Typical Winters day , storm “Eowyn” had passed but more was promised. As we arrived it looked ok and we were all wrapped up warm, 7 skippers started , and Young Colin Toll came down to do his duty despite not having a boat ” Bless him” and Adrian had got the course sorted on the South bank, and we were good to go. Pete W 65 was on it from the start with Martyn 66 in hot pursuit, Mick 46 I believe was over at the start and then proceeded to go the wrong way round the second mark narrowly missing others and then to cap it all hit the weather mark not once, but a second time whilst doing his turns, seemed to have left his brain at home. Apparently Mick 46 found his brain it was in his pocket and he duly found it and went on a streak to win the next four races, funny thing the Brain . All skipper’s started on A + rig and apart from Adrian who changed down to a lower rig , the steady increase in breeze, we only had a rare bit of nose diving on the run and only really in the last two races, Richard needed to retire after race 5 , but the racing was all pretty close, Pete was having problems early on , but got it sorted by race 6 and was back in the hunt , Riggers Rigby 180 had some good consistent results and will be pleased, the battle between Martyn and Jen , who shared the car ride to the lake , was finally settled with Jen in charge ( it was her car ) Adrian 63 finally took the bullet in the last race with his B rigged boat, and to be fair the A + riggs struggled.

A great mornings racing I don’t think anyone was cold in fact I was like toast, Just a shame that more members ( we have 29 ) don’t come and join in in this class but hey ho it is there choice, and I have to say there loss.

Many congratulation to winner Mick who was sporting his 5 year old Icarex sails, made by Nigel at Cat Sails, In fact well done to all who turned up, your bank side manners were impeccable, and also thanks for helping put all the stuff away.

A quiet morning as far as the breeze went, But hey ho . Darin and Tracy arrived early as your OOD’s and Darin was quickly in the dingy setting out a course on the East bank, with the breeze just West of South it was going to be a long beat and run, basically,, straight down the lake. We welcomed visitors from far and wide Fleetwood way up in the North West, Manor Park down Staffs way , Two Islands ( Milton Keynes) and our old friends from Huntingdon, so a lot of travel for some, lets hope everybody had as much fun as I did. This was always going to be competitive, it always is, and in truth we could all have done with a bit more puff, but it is what it is, and after a short briefing from Darin, who also took time to explain the perils of starboard weather mark rounding ( in detail) off we went to the start line for the first race. I’ve got to say from my perspective it was not going to be an easy line to start , it was plenty long enough but with the light breeze you had to be on your toes to keep the boat moving, Rob 97 and Pete 65 did very well and took first and second respectively with one of our superstar visitors Dorian 60 taking third spot, a brief retune and we were back for more and with two good long beats you did have plenty of chance to recover if you start was a little less than perfect, This time Darin took the win and Chris with his newly refurbed Brit Pop took second spot and Pete normally a slow starter got the third place with his very quick Venti.

Scraps were going on all thru the fleet in what was a good natured control area and every body showing respect for fellow skippers. Pete 65 then went on a thundering run taking three bullets in succession followed home by Darin before the tables were turned in race 6, I believe a few were finding the light fluky winds a little tricky, but as they always say the cream seems to rise, and so it was with three ex dingy racers on the podium after a great day of racing Our youngest visitor from Huntingdon was Hayden sailing a robot had some good races and we hope went home happy, A good fleet of 19 skippers proving that an extended day every now and again works for the club , and with the National championships coming up over the Easter weekend it gives skippers an opportunity to savour venue and meet the locals.

Very well done to the podium Darin , Pete, and Dorian , and in fact to all skippers for a most enjoyable day, only eleven races but they were long , Brit Pop with Darin still has bragging rights, and the Venti still has work to do, 8 different designs on show today, and I have to say if you are thinking of making the move to Radio Racing then Lincoln could well be your first port of call .

Just a quickie ref our extended hours informal I.O.M event at Lincoln this Sunday the 19th , Weather looks great , wrap up warm, and just let Darin or Mick know your coming so we can judge numbers . It will give you a chance to try out the the lake and it’s little nuance’s, prior to the National Championships over the Easter weekend , Do not also forget there is a Midland district event at the club on the 2nd February , entry for this is here https://bit.ly/3E5Xox8 and With 15 entries already in, this also could be a great event to hone your skills and race against some of the best skippers West of Grimsby , Get entered now .

Happy New Year to all, and I hope that the cold snap that we have been subjected to over the last couple of weeks is starting to warm up where you are so that those with frozen waters can soon get back to sailing.

Not everyone has been frozen off the lake and Darin has sent out a reminder that Lincoln RSC are hosting two IOM events starting this weekend.

This coming Sunday (19th Jan)- No 2 of the Lincoln occasional extended race day for IOM takes place. For some this may be the 1st sail of 2025.

This is a club race day from 10.00am to 3.00pm open to MYA members who may wish to join our competitive fleet of IOM. It is informal, with help and advice given alongside the racing.

There is a small charge of £5.00 per boat for visiting skippers.

No formal entry but please send a note to Mick Chamberlain or Darin Ballington so we know who may be turning up.

Then on Sunday Feb 2nd – A more formal day for the Midland District Winter Series Round 2, again open to all MYA members and entry is via the MYA online system. Currently 15 entries without some of the local skippers announced yet, so expect 20-25 entries for this event. This will be the last IOM open meeting at LRSC before the IOM Nationals in April and will be a great opportunity to understand the location.