13^th June 2019

A cold overcast but dry evening, with a favourable wind from the NW, gave us good conditions on B rig for an entertaining evenings sail. Ten skippers turned out and with Derek as RO, we were off prompt at 6.30pm.

A start mid lake with a beat to a windward mark towards the top end, and then a long run down to a gate by the bridge, beat back up to mid lake windward mark, run back down to the gate, then a beat to a finish was our course for the night.

Ken`s night got off to a bad start as he succumbed to servo problems early on, and had to sit out most of the event.

As usual, it was clear that it was going to be between John and Garry who took the honours. As they shared the majority of the bullets. Some close races were had for the rest of the fleet, a mention for Bob Jones, Eric and Walter who all had some fine results and battled it out for third spot, Bob just taking it by a couple of points.

So it was Garry who took it on the night, by just a point, his second victory in this series.

Our next 65 event is on Thurs 20^th June 6.30pm.

Bob Jolly

DF 65 Capt.

Tuesday 11th June

Another wet Tuesday evening down by the lake at Fleetwood although it has to be said less rain and more wind than last week. 

With the wind from the NE a course was set using approximately half the lake with a beat to a mark in the NE corner of the lake, a run back to the start line and a upwind leg to a finish line in the clubhouse corner. Good calls were made by the more experienced skippers and the start line was moved out into the lake to avoid some of the previous chaos by the bank. A further windward mark was used which made the last leg a short reach to the finish but added tactics to the second beat instead of it just being a drag race. 

The wind was at top of B rig strength at times which required cleaning tacking to stay at the front.

Garry was a welcome return to the fleet this week, Derek taking the helm of his yacht for the last three races gaining 2 firsts and a 1 second (these are not shown in the results as we use our average scoring method for borrowed boats).

The weather may not be the best for this time of year but the racing was enjoyable and as always very close, results being decided by including discards.

Next DF95 racing is next Tuesday at the normal 18:30 start. If your not there your missing 2 hours of fun.

Gordon 

8^th June 2019

Strong wind and persistent rain made it C rigs all round for the six skippers who braved the elements for this Saturday Series event.

With the wind from the NW, and conditions very awkward at the bridge end of the lake with a large chop, we set the start line centre lake, with a beat to the top end to a spreader, and then a long run down to a leeward mark three quarters down the lake, rounding and beating back to a finish on our start line.

Eight races were had at a leisurely pace with a break for a bite to eat and a brew, midway through proceedings.

Surprisingly conditions as they were, nearly all got through unscathed, John came off worst losing his jib tie down first race, that cost him two races, and then his servo failed costing him another late on, but as we know John is a very fine sailor, and after all his troubles he still secured five bullets, and finished in second place overall.

Bob suffered also, when his boat battery ran flat with little warning from his transmitter, only beeping for a short time, his boat ended up pirouetting centre Lake, and took a while for it to come to the side.

Again a consistent sail from Garry got him top spot, although it could have been different had it not been for Johns misfortune for the last race.

Although it was a horrible day weather wise, credit goes to all the skippers who got on with it without fuss, and in the end I think we all enjoyed the sailing challenge.

Our next outing for the 65 is on Thursday 13^th June 6.30pm start.

Bob Jolly

DF 65 Capt.

6^th June 2019

Again another fine turnout of thirteen skippers, on a sunny, mild and dry spring evening, for this the first event of series two.

With what wind there was, enough suitable for the A+ rig, coming straight down the lake from the west, a course was set with a beat to the windward mark, round the mark and a run to a gate up by the bridge, back up to the windward mark again, rounding and then a run to the finish by the clubhouse.

Ten races were had in the time, and five different skippers enjoyed taking at least one bullet.

The usual culprits were up at the top with Garry being very consistent once again, and taking overall first place from John, who did a great job with a set of borrowed homemade sails off Chris.

Eric fared well with his new set of sails first time out, and had a few good results,

So a very enjoyable nights sailing, and so good to see so many dragons on the water.

Bob Jolly

DF 65 Capt.

Tuesday 4th June

A shorter report this time due to not having much of a view of the racing as a whole whilst hiding under a hood. The main feature of the evening was rain which varied in strength but didn’t stop until 10 minutes after the racing was completed. 

The normal set of 8 races was had by 7 skippers although the full complement only competed in one race due to servo failure, collisions and leaking boots.

3 different race winners with Chris coming out on top again showing some excellent boat set up and decision making during the gusty shifting wind at the end of the session.

7 wet but satisfied skippers.

Next DF95 racing next Tuesday at the normal 18:30 start.

Gordon 

30^th May 2019

Ten skippers turned out for last event of this series, and we were greeted with quite windy conditions, fluctuating all evening. They all set out on B rig and soon moved to C after a few races, they should have moved back to B a few races later, but carried on as was, as time wasn`t on our side, as we were a little late getting underway.

Using the club boat, Bob`s evening was curtailed by a rudder servo failure, just as he got on the water. Walter too had a servo problem late on and had to miss the last three races.

A sausage shape course was set, with a beat up to the windward mark midway up the lake, then a run down to a gate by the bridge, back up to the windward mark again, then a run to the finish.

Eight races were had on the night, with John in fine form easily taking the honours with six bullets (after borrowed boat rule). Good to see Darren continue to improve, finishing in fourth place just behind Ken and Bob Jones.

So that brings us to the end of this series, and congratulations go to the top three, Chris Howarth winner with 382 pts. John Plant second on 352 pts. And Ken Crabtree third with 316 pts.

Next up is the start of series two, which is on Thursday 6^th June at 6.30pm. 

Bob Jolly

DF 65 Capt.