DF 95 Training Day Report

Huge THANKS to Robert for laying a perfect course in Race Area C ready for the afternoon’s racing. This happened while the skippers were cosy in the Flat White Cafe mulling over race day preparation, and getting our heads around typical Sailing Instructions and the Heat Management System (HMS) for scoring at large regattas.

So, when we rocked up for racing from 12.30, there was the course and foreshore all set up for RO Keith to take us straight into a series of 3 races. A short break before Race 4 allowed a review of some of the rights and wrongs of starting – E.g. running along the line to windward of the fleet is really dodgy, while nipping underneath another boat to luff it out of the way needs accurate knowledge of the rules. Thereafter, the starts showed a huge lift in confidence with all thirteen boats lining up for timed runs to the line.

We adopted the 2 minute countdown so that skippers had time to assess the conditions for the best start and course to the windward mark. The south west breeze brought some regular shifts down the lake for skippers to read and pick, and calls for right of way were more regular, and closer to the correct protocol, so that most incidents were sorted on the water without the need for protest.

As Robert put it on his WhatsApp message this evening: “Great day’s sailing, good camaraderie, and a pleasure to watch – Well done you 95 gentlemen and good sailing to those heading south.”

Pictures from the day:

Results