Thirteen skippers arrived on a bright November morning for round 2 of the DF95 winter series. The light south-easterly breeze gave the race team, Kevin E and Ron A, plenty to think about but after some fine-tuning a dog-leg course was set off the east bank, beating towards the clubhouse.

It was great to welcome two new members- Ron A(884) and Malcolm Parker (31)- along with visitor Chris Kelly (no number).

Before the first race, Tim Hand was presented with the two trophies he had missed collecting at the AGM- congratulations Tim!

Racing started shortly after 10 am and Tim H (44) came out flying, taking all three wins before the tea break. Martin A (877) scored two seconds and Paul K (19) also took a second place.

After race 3, the fleet took a tea break, and at 11am everyone observed the Remembrance Sunday two-minute silence, remembering those who have lost their lives in conflict.

After the break, the competition stayed close. Mick C (46) found his rhythm with two wins and a second in the final race. Kevin E (02) improved throughout the session, taking two first and two seconds. Colin H (301) sailed strongly to claim a race win, while Martin A and Paul K each added further second places. Sam P (59) secured four third places and Jen H (69) added two thirds to her scoreline.

It was great to see Alan N (438) back on the water and Malcolm P (31) had a promising debut in this first day of DF95 racing.

Congratulations to Tim H, a clear overall winner on the day with 13 points and five firsts out of ten races, Mick C was second on 24 points, closely followed by Martin A on 25 points.

All in all, it was a great days racing- close competition and good sportsmanship. The race team is grateful to everyone who helped packing away the equipment, and a special mention to Tim for his assistance in setting the course.

Another fantastic morning of racing at Lincoln , you really could not have had a better day, with sunshine and a decent top suit breeze from the South West, it did veer slightly during the morning when a dog leg was added to the course.

Eleven skipper’s showed up, and from the start it appeared that one of the favourites was going to be out of contention with an unresolved electrical problem with his Venti, a couple were late at the start, but this was no concern to Mick C 46 who stormed away to take the first of his three wins on the day, Roger C always a threat with his Venti came in 2nd and Martyn sailing his Alioth took third spot. The Venti’s outnumbered the other classes today, but were still unable to break the strangle hold of Tim H 134 and his Brit Pop who after the first race put a truly consistent series of races. The racing was extremely competitive and close racing was to be had where ever you were in the fleet. Sam P 59 is getting to grips with his Venti and was showing some great touches coming second to Tim H 134 in race three.

In fact in race five Tim had quite a healthy lead going in to the leeward gate for the last time , but unfortunately cut it a bit tight, and touched the mark . Micky boy 46 was on the mistake like a dog with a bone and the with the final beat to the finish it was neck and neck ,with Mick just to weather, it looked like Tim was an inch or two ahead as they came to the line very close to the bank end and the finishing Buoy, Looked for all intense and purpose a one two but Tim again hit the mark and Mick took full advantage to take the win, by the time time had done his turns, Sam came blistering through followed by Roger C and so Tim had to be content with fourth place, that is basically how tight racing was this morning, The breeze stayed pretty constant all morning, and the club got 10 long races in by 1pm .

Massive congratulations to Tim for the win well 5 wins out of ten races ,and also doing the main OOD duties, also a great deal of thanks to everyone who made this a very enjoyable and competitive mornings racing.

Just a quick heads up that the next I.O.M racing at the lake with be an extended day and open to visitors . and the date for your diary is the 15th November , yep just two weeks time.

Following on from the success of the IOM pop up events held at Lincoln Radio Sailing Club, the Midland District has agreed to trial a new format for the 2025-26 IOM winter series.

What’s different?
Well, all rounds will be hosted by the Lincoln Radio Sailing Club (LRSC) and held at the Scotland Farm Lake near Lincoln for a start. Also the race team will be made up of club members who will be sailing as well, with one of the more experienced skippers being assigned as Race Officer for the day.

It is hoped that this trial will encourage further clubs to get involved in the future, with the organisational load being shared amongst the skippers and giving other clubs the confidence to offer their lake.
The series will be about fresh air and sailing over the winter months and we welcome any MYA member, from any district, and all abilities. As with every visit to LRSC a warm welcome will be assured and experienced skippers will be on hand to give any help required.

The dates below have been compiled to coincide with LRSC IOM race days and to avoid the Northern District IOM series dates, hopefully encouraging skippers to travel.

The racing format will be standard across the series:
– 9.45am briefing, 10.00am start, with no race to start after 3.30pm.
– The urn will be on for hot drinks (bring your own cup) and entry will be £5.00 per head.
– Prizes will be token, as the reward will be the fresh air and friendship.
– Entry will be via the MYA online entry system with payment on the day.
– Series scores will be kept by the MD and published on the MD website.

Dates:
Rd1 – Oct 2025 –(already held)
Rd 2 – Sunday 16th Nov 2025
Rd 3 – Sunday 4th Jan 2026
Rd 4 – Sunday 15th Feb 2026 (Micky C’s Big Birthday Bash- possibly cake available!)
Rd 5 – Sunday 15th March 2026

More details and the Notice of Race can be found here: IOM Midland District Pop-up Events

Also:
Keep an eye out on the Midland District website for other IOM events being hosted by district clubs over the winter months, plus the MYA calendar for IOM Open meetings around the country.

Date for the diary: Midland District Champion Skipper Round 1- March 8th 2026 to be hosted by Bournville RS&MBC

Report by Sam Parker

Sunday 26th October dawned with the sun shining and if you were lucky a frost to make everything look all wintery. Today marked the start of the DF65 winter series, your OOD Sam arrived early to prepare, adjusted a few buoys, and set the course on the south bank.

At the start of racing, six competitors had signed up, including new member Ron Austin, who bought both a DF65 and a DF95 with him and left Scotland Farm smiling having had a great day’s sailing. The consensus was that it was a B rig day which is what we all set off with apart from Ron who only had his A rig with him.

The first race was a straight up and down beat/run but by the time the second race of eleven was due to start the wind was starting to veer so a dog leg was put in to give two beats and a good run back toward the clubhouse, this course being used for the remainder of the day, Many thanks must go to Martin who aided in mark movements for me and advice along the way.

Getting onto the racing it was Jen who in nearly every race got to the windward mark first and put in some sterling results to finish 3rd overall, but it was Martin who, with six wins took line honors with Mick a very close second on the day. The overall positions and points however cannot describe how close the racing was and barring the rain coming along for the last two races it was all very good-natured and great fun was had by all.

Many thanks must go to everyone, who helped to put the equipment away at the end of the day even though by now the rain was quiet heavy.

Thanks Sam