IOM Winter Series at Lincoln Radio Sailing Club - Round 8

Hayden Wallice - IOM Winter Series at Lincoln round 8 © Andy Wallace

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 dinghy 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 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 W 97 and Pete W 65 did very well and took first and second respectively with one of our superstar visitors Dorian C 60 taking third spot, a brief retune and we were back for more and with two good long beats so you did have plenty of chance to recover if you start was a little less than perfect. This time Darin B 98 took the win and Chris E 74 with his newly refurbed Brit Pop took second spot and Pete W 65 normally a slow starter, got the third place with his very quick Light grey 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 W 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 W 88 sailing a robot and he had some good races and we hope went home happy, A good fleet of 19 skipper, had a great day of racing and with the National Championships coming up over the Easter weekend it gives skippers an opportunity to savour the venue and meet the locals.

IOM Winter Series at Lincoln round 8 - photo © Andy Wallace

Overall Results: