I.O.M Winter Series Round 11 at Lincoln Radio Sailing Club

What a great day for racing, mainly sunshine great breeze that increased during the morning, but remained a top suit kind of day.

Skipper were arriving early to get the set up and sort the trim for the conditions as best they could, the bank looked crowded, and so it was with 16 skippers, sailing a variety of designs, and all as keen as mustard to do well. We need to thank Malcolm who did our starting (as his boat was not quite ready to hit the water this week, we also need to thank Darin and other's for sorting out the race course and getting buoys moved with the trusted Dingy. We got started 10 minutes early, as all were present, and with 16 on the start line you needed your wits about you, mainly because no favours would be asked, and for sure none would be given, It was a good beat and run course with three great beats, Pete W 65 managed a great start although chased hard by Tim H 134 in the Brit Pop and Roger C 30 with his very quick Venti, who I am told went for the wrong finish after getting ahead by some margin.

Lincoln I.O.M Winter Series round 11 - photo © Mick Chamberlain

Battles were going on all through the fleet, and with a good long course all was not lost if you messed up somewhere, the racing must have been a joy to watch, and the beats could become a little fluky but certainly not lacking in breeze. Race two had Darin 98 take the bullet, with Micky boy 46 getting a well deserved 2nd spot, Roger C was keeping his powder dry with another 3rd spot.

Rob W 97 was having winch problems and Paul K 44 obviously had an A rig problem which put him out for a couple of races, he eventually cam back with a B rig and was a little under powered but this would change as the breeze gradually increased during the morning and in race 7 managed to nab a second place. Young Tracy 49 was having a fine battle with Jen 69 just winning the battle of the ladies, and \I have to say sailing better than I have seen her sail in a while, but to be faire she does have a great Mentor (her Husband). Mike H 27 and Ron A 175 who are fairly new to the sport are improving steadily which is great to see, and Richard J 89 is just not getting the best out of his Viss, but don't Panic Richard it will come good. Mick Cooper was also going well and gave a few people some a run for there money on more than one occasion with his Venti.

Lincoln I.O.M Winter Series round 11 - photo © Mick Chamberlain

By race 5 Darin had got his act together with five straight wins, Tim H was going well, but probably not as well as he knows he can, but interestingly the, the top two Darin and Tim, are the Lincoln clubs skippers who have qualified for the forthcoming worlds that will be held in May way down south in Datchet water, and they were only split on countback,, third spot went to Roger,only one point adrift. I have got to say that this club racing at Lincoln is second to none and certainly the place to be for competitive I.O.M racing, everybody I am sure went home with a smile on their face, just one thing to add thanks to all for helping put the gear away, and we hope to see you all in two weeks time for our extended day Pop up event.

Overall Results: