Eauvation and Rapscallion take Round Mann Honours
The 2009 Hamblin Round Mann offshore race was sailed last weekend. The IOMYC, Port St Mary, welcomed the crews of the twenty yachts entered to Hamblin’s pre-race party on Friday evening, the race starting at 8am Saturday 13th June.
Entries included seven yachts from England and Northern Ireland.
This year the race was anti-clockwise round the IOM. Starting at PSM just before low water, yachts have six hours of flood tide to help them reach the Point of Ayre, or at least get past Maughold Head before the next ebb.
Crews experienced widely varying sailing conditions round the coast, overcast and light airs at the start, fog banks rolling in and out, sunshine and strong breezes, flat calm patches and the inevitable tidal gates – especially round the Calf towards the end of the race.
The faster yachts reached the Calf while the ebb was still running and the fleet compressed, the slower boats closing the gap as the leaders tried to push round the corner.
Each yacht has its own story to tell but none quite so drastic as the Starflash 25 “Jonathan Star” entered by Ken Bailey of the Blackpool & Fleetwood YC, which was dismasted off the west coast. Going upwind in 25 knots of breeze, it seems the lower shrouds’ T-terminals ripped out of the keel-stepped mast, which bowed forward snapping in the middle and then broke off at deck level. The crew managed to chop it all away, before the hull was punctured by the ragged ends. They then quietly motored back to PSM without any fuss. Tough characters, these Lancashire coast sailors.
Line honours went to Robin Wooton’s Reflex 38 “Cheetah Cub” crossing the finishing line at 9.37pm. Eleven yachts managed to finish the race, the last at 2am Sunday. Except for “Jonathan Star”, the others retired after suffering hours stuck in flat calm patches, going backwards in the tide.
All competitors, even those who didn’t finish, had an enjoyable weekend and showed their appreciation during the prize-giving at 2pm Sunday. Hamblin boss, Frank Newton, who has himself done this race on numerous occasions, made the presentations, complimenting the crews on their tenacity in the variable conditions.
IOMYC and competitors thank Frank Newton and Hamblin for the continued support in sponsoring this annual event.
Report by Mick Kneale
Full results below
We, on Jonathan Star, would like to thank IOMYC members and committee for their hospitality. A special T Y to the lady that opened up the showers early on Friday morning
Thank you from all on Roaring Meg - Superb Weekend - Excellent organisation and Sponsors - we’ll be working on that rating for next year Mick!
Please tell Fiona to increase the Bushy’s order next year too!!