IOMMDWCS 18-19 R3 Manor Park RSC Race Report.

I arrived at Manor Park RSC an hour early to find a few skippers rigging up, Darin B out in the boat laying a course best suited to the Westerly predicted with options to set an alternative for a N. Westerly.

17 of the 18 skippers who had entered were booked in and had tested and trimmed their ‘A’ rigs ready to go. Just before the briefing by Colin W (PRO) Chris H (21) arrived saying he had been called into work but as it was too windy in Nuneaton the job was called off. He was surprised to see the conditions on the lake as a nice top suit blow.

Race 1 got away on time with Colin W and me doing race duties which allowed us to sail as one fleet. There was a couple of minor incidents that occurred between boats where the advantaged boat altered course to avoid a collision to their credit, the general atmosphere was relaxed and the quality of sailing all the better for it.

2 races completed we came off for a few minutes, it was obvious that Nancy’s (22) jib slot was too narrow and with the help of a couple of skippers her boat was re-trimmed. It was good to see the others helping a new-comer get the best from her boat.

Back on the water for race 3 and we soon had 3 break away from the rest of the fleet (21, 98, 169) with it tight between them. Chris H and Darin B just in front of Laurie B on the final run, but Laurie bought the wind with him and was first to the leeward gate. On the final beat Chris H and Darin B went on separate tacks with the hope of catching Laurie, and whilst they were closing, he held them off to win. Race 4 & 5 saw both Graham W and Laurie B challenge again but the top two were once again 21 & 98. A mention must go to Roy J (51) another new-comer to the series who had his best result of 7^th place in race 4.

By race 8, the wind had picked up to a strong top suit and this saw the first DNF which would not turn out to be the last of the event. There was a short break whilst Darin B went out in the boat again to affect a rescue. Before we got going again with race 9 Graham W (16) took the opportunity to swap to a ‘B’ rig, initially this did not pay off with all the others still on their ‘A’ rigs. However, on the last run with a strong gust causing the boats around him to broach he worked his way up to 4^th.

With the wind rising Colin W called a lunch break, most skippers de-rigged then sat having lunch. By the call to water all skippers put on their ‘B’ rigs to start race 10, and this was slightly too much for some with an unfortunate incident just before the finishing line where a running boat out of control collided with Chris H who was well ahead and only a few lengths from the line. He requested redress for his place at the time, this was accepted, and he was awarded equal 1^st place. The on the water winner of race 10 was David A (11). Unfortunately, Laurie B had his jib come free and along with 78, 22, 51 having a DNF we only had 14 finishers.

With all boats off the water Colin W called a skipper briefing and almost insisted that skippers put on their ‘C’ rigs, the measured wind speed was 34mph. Whilst it was not quite as strong on the water it was decided that safety was the priority when handling boats ashore and during launching.

Race 11 got underway with only 12 boats, 6 having decided that they would take a DNS and see what the wind did. Well I can tell you that I witnessed spray being blown off the top of the wind created waves, and I had to grab hold of Colin’s arm for support to stop me being blown off my feet. A mention should be made of Tony P (52) who was revelling in the conditions allowing him to get 2^nd place in race 11 breaking the dominance of 21 & 98.

Nancy & Roy our new-comers decided that they would retire and generously offered to do the finish line duties. Malcom Y (78) offered to record the finishes, all sitting on the wooden chairs as the plastic ones would have blown away.

Speaking to Chris H & David A whilst I was updating HMS I mentioned that we had not used ‘C’ suits in this series for many years, believing that it was at Market Bosworth RYC when we were on the big lake.

Race 13 saw 50% of the original fleet out but 21, 52 & 98 handling the conditions best, mention must go to Jen H (69) who was sailing well to finish 4^th in this race.

I had retired to the shelter of the club house for race 14 & 15 so did not see the racing results until I get the finish sheets from Malcom. Colin W said race 15 would be the last so we just missed out on the 3^rd discard, but with only 8 of the boats ready to sail and it getting slightly dark because of the overhead black clouds and no let up of the wind speed it was the right decision.

Apart from some minor damage to rigs and a bit of workshop time required to better prepare the boats for the high winds most skippers gained a lot of experience in boat handling and close racing.

A copy of the results is here: IOMMDWCS18-19R3ManorParkRSC

The series results will soon be calculated and added to the IOMMDWCS series results, so check in again later. Hopefully we will have some prize presentation pictures as well.

So, thanks to Colin W, Darin B & Graham W of Manor Park RSC for race management, course setting, rescue etc. Nancy, Roy & Malcom for helping when they retired from racing. The skippers for their good grace and consideration of the conditions and assisting others with boat launching.

The next race is scheduled for Watermead MBC on 10^th February 2019.

ARO Gordon Sears.

For the Marblehead skippers the new 2019 district M series starts at Leicestershire RYC this weekend on 20^th January.

Pictures by Sandra Smith.