2025 MD6MCS R4 Manor Park RSC report.
Seven skippers gathered at Manor Park Radio Sailing Club to compete with their 6 metre yachts. Chris Cheal started our interest at Manor Park, by restoring a wooden Revival to the highest standard. It wasn’t long before Simon Richardson bought a Ravenna and Rob Radbourne a Romanza in carbon fibre. To exercise their racing skills the first 6 metre MYA Midlands event at Manor Park has now been successfully completed.
The weather was glorious sunshine, with the breeze Northerly East or Northerly West. The course on the lake stayed the same with some mark adjustments to prevent traffic congestion at the first windward mark. The starboard end of the start line was our famous GPS buoy Nessie. She moves only by radio control, permitting changes in wind direction to be rapidly accommodated before the start.
Shaun Holbeche sailed beautifully, changing direction with only a single flutter of his jib sail, picking up speed quickly. This skill ensured that he soon had a strong lead. I understand that the challenge with 6m yachts is getting them started again after a change in direction. This was only too evident at the start, as most of the fleet were often well behind the line. There was only one General Recall.
Duncan Ellis and Simon Richardson were close competitors at all times, for second and third place overall, each achieving a first in a heat. For everyone, the most direct route nearer the shore was not always the fastest. The darker patches of water, with the stronger wind were often closer to the island, with a longer tack across the course to the windward mark.
Lester Gilbert and Rob Radbourne also both achieved a first in one heat. Rob struggled with his see-through sails and white numbers, as it made it so hard to see any sail flutter. The 6m yachts don’t seem to find the wind like the one metre yachts we know so well.
John Armstrong sailed consistently, while Chris, whose timber boat building skills are masterclass, was on a rapid learning curve as a new sailor.
Colin Walton was Race Officer, laid back, as all the skippers carried out their few turns without any protest. The few collisions were easily recognised by the loud clunk, as the large hollow boats resonate when hit. Alan Skitt, Graham Whalley and John Smith, worked brilliantly on the finish line, without confusing any yachts or skippers.
Everyone had a most enjoyable, relaxed, competitive, time.
A full set of race results are here: MD6MCS R3
Colin Walton (PRO)
The 2025 MD6MCS series results are here: 2025 MD6MCS Overall result after R4
It’s very tight at the top for the series champion and so all is to play for at the final event which is being hosted by Two Islands RYC on 11th October 2025. The NOR has already been published with details and entry here: https://www.mya-uk.org.uk/events/#events/event-details/672017a71d2cb502e91a01e5/
