Report by Brian Quayle 

This weekend saw the running of the IOM Xerox sponsored Manx Sailing and Cruising Club Annual Open Regatta. This was for five 40 minute races over two days in Ramsey bay.

Day One
Dawned cloudy with a forecast of Rain then Persistent rain. More importantly, wind SW 3-4 building to 5 occasional 6.

After waiting for an hour for any wind to arrive racing for the 22 entered boats started in a gentle 5 knots of wind, with drizzle, on a windward/leeward course.
With a strong south/north tide those that chose to go inshore found themselves with an advantage. Dave Batchalor took an early lead being hotly pursued by the RS 200’s of Robert Cowell and Angus Jolly. Mike Fearnley from Morecambe crewed by his daughter in a Nat.12 was next, closely followed by the ever attendant pack of lasers.
The wind steadily built to around 12 knots with now rain. Dave held on to take the race on the water and handicap, the Nat 12 2nd and Mike Pridham the 1st Laser.

After a quick turn-round Race two started with the wind now built to a steady 20 knots with rain. Dave once again led from start to finish. The now fresh conditions tested the skills of the fast asymmetric boats with J & K Stockman in the Laser 3000 showing the RS 200’s how it should be done. The lasers again were very competitive taking 2nd and 3rd with Simon Pressley this time beating Mike. Luke Collins sailing the Laser 4.7 took a very creditable 7th Place.

With the rain now reaching the “persistent” level, the wind a good force six the OD sent the fleet home for the day, now three races tomorrow.

Day Two
What a difference. The wind switched round to a NW 3-4 and sunshine. Perfect sailing conditions. This allowed Brian Quayle the OD to set three changing courses in the north of Ramsey bay.

With the lighter steadier winds and the arrival of Andrew Williams in the RS 400 the comfortable order from yesterday was shaken up.

The First race a “P” course saw Andrew lead from start to finish pushed hard by Mike in the National 12. Dave, in the Blaze had to settle for 3rd with the lasers scrapping closely for 4th and 5th with Mike getting the better of Simon.

The second race a more conventional windward/leeward and showed Dave returning to form staying close enough to Andrew to win on handicap. With Rob Cowell in third and the Stockmans in 4th, the asymmetrics were enjoying themselves. The smaller rigged Laser radials had  a good race with Ali Hinds finally getting just reward for some great sailing along with John Cowell also in a Radial both showing scant respect for their elders by beating all the laser standards.

The last race of the day saw the National 12 enjoying the swimming antics of the RS 400 and the Blaze to take 1st place. Mike Pridham fought hard for 4th place and 1st Laser overall.

Three races three winners, close racing and sunburnt Rescue boat crews. Who could wish for more?

Many thanks to all the rescue boat crews,  to all the ladies of the club for the regatta tea and not forgetting IOM Xerox for their generous sponsorship.

The Final Standings

1. Dave Batchalor, Blaze
2. Mike Fearnley Nat 12
3. Mike Pridham, Laser (1st laser overall)
4. Simon Presley, Laser
5. Rob Cowell, RS 200
6. A Hinds, Laser radial (1st junior)
7. J&K Stockman, Laser 3000 (only 1 pt behind);
8. A Williams, RS 400
9. J Cowell, Laser Radial
10. L Collins, Laser 4.7

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Race News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.