Tri-Services IOM
National Championship 2007
Report By: Bill Green Race Officer
It has been my privilege and pleasure to act as Race Officer
for this event several times and this year was no exception.
The usual line up of regular participants and a few
newcomers made up the single fleet entry. This year had a balanced mix from all
of the services and there was an impressive display of trophies including a
very overweight, pink, flying pig, the RAF trophy, naturally. Nigel Taylor who has fronted this
organisation and event from its very beginning had to return home before the
event started and one entry didn’t show up. So the stage was set for a weekends
worth of tight competition tinged with that ever present interservice rivalry
that always provides the spice.
Before anything could happen there was one very vital
ingredient missing, no wind. By no wind I mean no wind, absolutely zilch,
mirror finish to the water. That didn’t stop those services chaps, time for
their AGM whilst waiting for the breeze to kick in. The results of that are
covered elsewhere so now for the racing. The breeze was slow to arrive but when
it did it was light but perfectly sailable.
John Taylor stamped is authority on the event from the off,
winning the first race sailing one of his new own design, followed by Roy
Stevens, Peter Nichols and Mike Nichols. That really set the scene for the
weekend John won 18 out of the 32 races which is very impressive for a boat
fresh out the box, Roy Stevens was always there or there about with his Ikon
winning a few but with a fine collection of 2nds and 3rds, a model of
consistency. Mike Nichols with his Widget was always in with a chance again a
model of consistency. What about the others well that was a fine scrap Roddy
Simpson made it into overall fourth spot from Peter Nichols who showed flashes
of flair but couldn’t quite keep it together for the whole event. Chas Jordon
confounded everyone, including himself, winning heat 25. Brain Leighton and
Doug Genders consistently in the middle of the fleet couldn’t make it to the
front. Neil Baxter who had been so strong in the past events just could not get
it together for this one finishing in the middle order. The newcomers to the
event made up the lower order Dave Cox, Tony Cox, Bill Letten and Dave Moy.
As you can see the event was pushed on and 32 races using
most of
The senior service ran out the winners of the services
trophy, with the Army in second spot. John Taylor won the overall event and the
Navy Trophy, Roddy Simpson the Army and Brian Leighton gave the pink pig a home
for 12 months.
I’m looking forward to running the event again in 2008 and
if you have ever been in the services or worked with the MOD in a civilian
capacity the event is open to you. Check out the Tri Services web page for
further information.