5^th September 2019

An excellent turnout for this the last event in the series, and the final evening event of the year for the Dragon 65.

With a strong westerly wind it was a toss-up whether to go with B or C, majority went with the B, but it was a disadvantage on the runs with nose diving, but most stuck it out right through, the odd one changing to C.

A sausage shape course was set and eight races were had before darkness fell, although the last race was on the limit to test your eyesight. Tacking was difficult for all, and if you didn`t get it right first try, it would set you back a few places, so it was a case of either taking on a tack and hoping for the best, or gybing to stay up with the fleet.

Derek was with us this week, and no surprise that he won on the night with his six bullets. Chris performed well enough to take second spot and the overall Series win, only just from Bob, who if he had finished third, it would have been enough for him to take the series, as it was Walter edged Bob out of third by a point, and Chris finished up winner of the series by two points. Congrats to him.

So a great but difficult nights sailing, to end our evening events, and wonderful to see many boats on the water.

We’ve had a good summers sailing with some very good attendances, and I hope for much of the same next year, when we will do it all again.

Bob Jolly

DF65 Capt.

Tuesday 3rd September

A dry if not bright night greeted seven skippers for the last 95 evening of 2019.

With the wind from the SE and at top of B rig strength at times clean tacking and making the most of the gusts downwind was required to stay at the front.

Close racing was enjoyed and with minimum gaps between races we just about managed to get in the usual 8 before it went dark. Honours went to Derek on the night with John the overall series winner.

Next DF95 racing is on 14th September at 13:00

Gordon Bayliff

31^st August 2019

Event 2

As we arrived for the morning session of our rearranged event, expecting the worst of conditions, we were greatly surprised to see a calmish lake and no rain. So all eight skippers who turned up rigged with the A sail, only to look out the window to see things were changing a little so off with the A and on with the B. Then the rain started and with it conditions worsened considerably, so it was quickly off with the B and on with the C, all this in the space of fifteen minutes.

These very windy conditions and heavy showers stayed with us all morning, and as it was almost impossible to sail at the East end of the lake, we set a course at the far end where it was possible to get round, still with great difficulty, and gybing was plentiful.

Hard as it was some close races were had, and we managed six in the time because of the delayed start. With Derek only with us only for part of the morning session, it was Bob Jones and Chris who were mastering the conditions better than the rest, and it was a close thing between those two for the winner, Bob taking it.

Breakdowns for Eric and Darren, who suffered electrical problems, with a chance to affect repairs during the lunch break, and still take part in the afternoon session.

Saturday Series 5

After lunch we were back out, this time with six skippers, Chris had to go and Darren had problems with his repair so didn`t compete.

We were still on C sail, the skies had brightened a little, and the rain had blown through, but still very windy.

We kept the same course as in the morning, and with Derek back with us, his class and experience told and he was the one we all had to catch. Bob Jones again had a good session, and put in some great results, finishing runner up, and must have been very happy with his days sailing, in what were pretty horrible conditions, but great fun.

Thanks to Ian for doing the scoring for us, a big help.

We are out again on Thursday 5^th September with a 6.30pm start for the last evening event of the year, and the final event of the series.

Bob Jolly

DF65 Capt.

29^th August 2019

A South Westerly, 22 mph gusting to around 30 made for some difficult and challenging sailing for this the sixth event of the Series. At least it stayed dry for the eight skippers who turned out, to take on a triangular shaped course that was set.

With the nights now drawing in, there was a concern whether we would get all eight races in, before dark, but we managed it just in time.

Sadly there were a few casualties along the way, Bob rudder servo, Eric winch and JP who wasn`t feeling too well.

Bullets were being shared around and it was quite close in the end, with Chris just pipping Ken for that top spot, Eric taking third.

Thanks to Harry for keeping the scores.

Our next outing for the 65 is on Saturday 31^st Aug, with an early start of 10.15am to allow us to catch up with a cancelled event earlier in the Series, followed by our scheduled Saturday Series event, with a 1pm start.

Bob Jolly

DF65 Capt.

24^th August 2019

Amazing weather brought the crowds out crabbing, and with the little wind there was coming from the worst direction for us, it made for an awkward start line, not ideal, but better than trying to negotiate bodies at the bridge end, but hey it`s the same for everyone, as they say.

Five of us set out to tackle a sausage shape course of two laps per race, and ten races were had, before we called it a day for lack of wind.

Some got lucky with port starts, some got lucky with a shift at just the right time, but some of us didn`t get lucky, getting caught in crab lines, or being taken out by a six meter, or breaking down midway through, but hey it could have happened to anyone, as they say, yeah maybe, but a six meter, that’s when you know it’s not your day.

So it was a bit of a mixed bag for most, unlike Peter who sailed consistently well taking, six bullets in his score and taking top spot, with Eric second.

We are back on the water with the 95 to do it all again, on Tuesday 27^th Aug at 6.30pm.

Bob Jolly