Race Officer’s Report
IOM Club Championship Regatta – 1st May 2022
Some intense racing between 10 IOMs in interesting conditions.
The morning winds were from the North with the occasional move westward. This resulted in a course with a big shore lift which would pay provided the skipper could pull off a clean port tack approach to the windward mark. Interesting to watch the various tactics employed by each skipper.
The afternoon started with more of the same until a huge shift to NW plus a significant increase in wind strength required rig changes and a major course change. One race had to be abandoned when some skippers found a weed bed close to the separator mark that gave our boatman, Paul, quite the task to resolve. A quick reset and the final 5 races were run on the new course.
Notable points
- The good humor and friendly, but intense, racing.
- The skippers had the starts nailed with on time runs onto the line and very few individual recalls needed.
- Still a little bumping going on in the fleet but great to see penalties being taken and many give way boats anticipating and taking action early.
- The result was in doubt until the last few races when the eventual winner, Rick CB (92), finally got the upper hand on second place Clyde (03) and third place Chris (29).
Many thanks to Paul & Lindsay for the organisation, Laurie for the trailer, Paul for tireless work on the water with constant changes required to match the winds, Pete Harris as ARO and his shore team Pete N, David, Sheila, Callum, Ian & Alan without whom the regatta would not have been possible.
Cheers,
Gareth