IOMYC Club Racing 10th July 2008
Report thanks to Mick Kneale
The twelve boats that turned out for the third session (out of four) in the series for the Murray Gawne Cup enjoyed close racing in the light SW breeze. Three junior entrants were included in the fleet – now racing with the “big boys”. Race Officer Pete Hinds set two windward/leeward courses, favouring the spinnaker boats. Single sail, single-handed boats need a bit more wind to match their handicap.
Race one was won by Russell and June Collister sailing their new RS200, just 3 seconds ahead of Mick Kneale, Phil Hardisty and Donald Edwards in the National 18’ with Smiler Williams and Tom Cringle putting the RS400 into third. The 18’ and RS400 always have a good boat-for-boat race as they are evenly matched - the handicap difference is only 20 seconds per hour and on a windward/leeward course the traditional symmetric spinnaker on the 18’ has a slight edge.
For race two, the breeze increased enough for the heavier 18’s reach to hull-speed upwind and sail deep downwind, Mick Kneale and crew clearing Russell and June by 58 seconds with Smiler and Tom a further 51 seconds astern.
Murray Gawne Cup (3rd in series)
Race one (top ten): 1st Russell & June Collister (RS200), 2nd Mick Kneale & crew (Nat.18), 3rd Smiler & Tom (RS400), 4th John Dowling (Wayfarer), 5th Chris Hill (Radial), 6th Ben Swindlehurst (Radial), 7th Pete Barlow & crew (Nat.18), 8th Roger & Helen Cave (Stratos/keel), 9th Mike Pridham (Radial), 10th Greg Kelly (RS Tera).
Race two (top ten): 1st M Kneale , 2nd R Collister, 3rd Smiler & Tom, 4th J Dowling, 5th C Hill, 6th B Swindlehurst, 7th P Barlow, 8th R Cave, 9th M Pridham, 10th J Kelly (RS Tera)
