IOMMDCS & C 2018 R4 Two Islands RYC Race Results/ Report.

12 skippers arrived in good time for the fourth race of the Midland District IOM series. The weather was sunny and the wind direction was a brisk easterly. This is a good direction for the lake giving a good and challenging beat although being Two Islands the wind can shift significantly favouring some and not others. However ‘it’s the same for all” or “swings and roundabouts” sort of applies.

Keith Bell as Race Officer and his team set up on time and placed a few additional marks of the course in addition to the ‘usual’ club buoys, Briefing was at just before 10am and the first race was started just after. From the start a long, and at times complicated, beat was sailed with a port rounding windward mark. As this was close to the eastern island many had difficulty rounding with the wind often backing when close. This did produce some difficulty and some collisions. However turns were done without complaint and indeed this was the style of racing for the day, great to see. The morning saw Robert Wilson leading the way with a set of good and consistent results. Darin Ballington was close behind just 15 points adrift. These two topped the results throughout the day with Mick Chamberlain, Stephen Hayward and Dave Alston also putting in some good results. At around Race 10 lunch was called and as usual many convivial chats took place on ‘what might have been, if only’ for many. However the sunshine and surroundings made for a very pleasant hour. Racing resumed at around 1.00pm. Darin raised his game in the afternoon session and overhauled Robert and finally was placed first with 35 points to Roberts 40 points. In third place but some way behind was Mick Chamberlain with 83 points to complete the podium.

With a single fleet, 21 races were completed giving skippers a really good number of races. All agreed to finish the sailing at just before 4.00pm. Keith Coxon as Chairman of Two Islands presented the prizes including the Mac McCulloch Cup to Darin Ballington.

Darin thanked Two Islands and the race team for their efforts in producing a well run and most enjoyable day.

Race report by Keith Coxon.

A full breakdown of the results for the day are here: Mac Cup 2018 and the series results for both the individual skipper and club have been updated and posted to the IOMMDCS page here: https://mya-uk.org.uk/districts/midlands/md-iom-champion-skipper-series/iommdcs-series-results/

Thanks to Keith Bell for doing the PRO duites, and the Two Islands club for running the event.