Eastern District DF95 Championship – Round 2

On Sunday 22nd September Coal house Fort welcomed 11 skippers for round 2 of the Eastern District DF95 championship on a misty morning with a light easterly breeze. The easterly made course setting a headache, especially as over the day the wind slowly swung more northerly. Several courses had to be used, starting with a zig zag & ending up with a windward/leeward for most of the day.

8 races completed before lunch, with Huntingdon’s Ben Wallace & East Kent’s Dave Adams leading the way. Further down the fleet Hayden Wallace impressed everyone with his skill & ability to nail so many port tack fliers, putting him in a well-deserved third place at the break.

The afternoon’s racing again saw Dave & Ben leading the way. Coal house Fort’s Chris Hodson, having sailed consistently all morning, found a little extra to take 2 bullets & push up the leader board, although fellow club member Dave Bland was unlucky to have winch failure 4 races from the end sadly pushing him down the leader board & out of the prizes. Somehow the forecast heavy rain showers missed us most of the day but eventually arrived with vengeance, the final one during race 16, causing an end to the event quarter of an hour early.

The final scores were close, with Dave Adams just edging out Ben Wallace for the win. Chris Hodson’s afternoon push edged out Hayden to take third & save a little face for the home club, whilst Dave Blands winch failure allowed James Beale to sneak fifth. This class always produces close racing throughout the fleet & this event was no exception, despite the many course changes & getting soaked towards the end, everyone enjoyed the day. 

A big thank you to all who ignored the terrible, & as it happens incorrect, weather forecast to support the day. We now look forward to seeing everyone at the final round in Huntington on 5th October.