South West District IOM Summer Series 2 @ Dartmoor – 9/4/17

Sunday the 9th of April saw the latest round of the Series take place at Dartmoor RSC.

After a foggy drive for some, sunny weather greeted the eighteen competitors on their arrival at the Lake which is most unusual for Dartmoor! There was very little wind to start with, but the forecast indicated a gentle breeze which would strengthen and veer throughout the day from SE to NW.

The race team led by Paul Newman wisely decided to lay multiple windward marks to cater for the predicted changes on the Windward/ Leeward gated course. The control zone was situated on the newly extended North Platform, which gave the competitors and race officials alike un-congested viewing of the racing course.

From the early seeding and heat races it was clear that the day was going to be one where the ability to read the wind shifts was paramount and consistency would pay dividends. After four races and with four different winners on the score sheet Barry Chisum with his ASBO 2 (61) was clearly showing his form with a series of 2nds and a win. Others showing consistency were John White (9) Bideford and Richard Aucott (16) Sedgemoor with Dartmoor members Jerry Lock (15) and Dave Kent(79) also in the mix. With the wind starting to veer more to the West a course change followed which saw the fleet having to decide whether to go to the middle or to the Lakeside on the windward leg. Taking the same course on each round didn’t always pay and several skippers found that out to their cost.

With the sun still shining and with sun cream being used by those who had it, racing resumed in earnest after a short lunch break. In races 5 to 10 the leading Dartmoor helms started to show improved form and were also joined by Bob Connor (14) and Peter Cropper (68) in the charge for podium placings. The wind direction in race 8 suddenly decided to back to the South which was not as predicted resulting in the dinghy crew doing a hasty unused buoy position change. In the end the crew’s efforts were not rewarded as the wind veered again, but not to its final heading!

For races 11 to 12 the wind shifted dramatically to the North West and increased in strength. A hasty change was made to both the course position, configuration and control zone. On the Olympic style course which saw top end A rig conditions being experienced, both Barry Chisam and Jerry Lock scored wins to round off the day’s racing.

So, at the prize giving the overall results showed a well-deserved win for Barry Chisam (61) West Cornwall with Jerry Lock and his Aqua (15) Dartmoor taking second. Rounding out the podium places with his Britpop was Dave Kent (79) Dartmoor.

Thanks to the competitors, Race Officials and all those who helped in making it a good day’s racing at Dartmoor.

Paul Newman/Steve Watts

Results: drs_swarea_results_9-4-171