DF95 Summer Series Event 4 at East Kent Radio Sailing Club Overall
by Peter Jackson 27 Jul 08:22 PDT
25 July 2024
Event 4 of the East Kent Radio Sailing Club DragonForce 95 Summer Series was a close scrap between the top few entries for all 13 races. As usual Sheppey's tree-free surrounds allowed more wind than forecast, on the cusp of A and B rigs. The direction was down the longest reach of the lake, throwing up a steep chop.
Many suffered gear problems, with two steering servos and one halyard failing in one race alone.
Mike Brand started strongly with four wins and one third from five races. Robert Owens took the other win under B rig, with Alan Hounsell, Paul Woodward and Andrew Nichols in his new boat taking the runner up spots. But then Paul Woodward took over at the front with four wins in a row, also under B rig, leaving Mike Brand struggling to stay in the top five!
Then it was all change again as Robert took his win tally to three, Alan put in a 2,1,1 and Paul faded to mid fleet under A rig.
Spenser Pope scored a second place and Andrew Nichols scored another, then Mike Brand recovered with seconds in the last two races before the forecast rain started and racing stopped.
Robert won the final race to make it three wins. Mike held on to take the event, making it three in a row, but a few top skippers have been away so the real test is yet to come.
Results:
1. Mike Brand 24pts
2. Robert Owens 28pts
3. Paul Woodward 32pts
4. Alan Hounsell 33pts