SWDCS4 @ Yeovil

Congratulations to John Stone as our Yeovil Winner

Thanks also to David Byfield for the photos and Tony Edwards for the report.

Round 4 of the IOM South West series was held at Sutton Bingham Reservoir home of the Yeovil & District MBC on 10th June. Skippers were greeted with a fine day with light and shifty ENE wind which allowed a simple windward/leeward course to be set along the north shore of the lake. Racing got under way promptly as a single fleet which allowed a total of 15 races to be completed by 4.0 pm.

Whilst the RO varied the length of the course a couple of times during the day the variable wind direction and pressure meant that each race was a fresh challenge and local knowledge was little help. The results show that there were 4 different individual race winners. John White sat out the first race as an observer and noticed sufficient to sail his Slimtel to victory in race 2. Richard Wills sailed his Wills OD consistently all day picking up a string of 2nds, 3rds and 4ths and led several races at some point but without managing a race win. Others including Robbie Nevitt (Ska) and Darin Maynard challenged the front end of the fleet on more than one occasion.

In the end it was consistency that prevailed including the 3 sailors with the most race wins. Bob Conner (BritPOP) just held the edge during the morning but relapsed a little during the afternoon to let in John Stone (Rocket) and to provide hope to the fast improving Richard Aucott. So it was John Stone who won the day with 5 wins on 21 points followed by Bob Conner 33 points and Richard Aucott also on 33 points after 2 discards but with 4 race wins to Bobs 5.

A pleasant way to spend a day with good company, just enough wind, a decent course and plenty of good mannered racing and penalties taken in good spirit.. See spreadsheet for full results:-