Tuesday 2 September 2020

10 skippers congregated for the final evening event of the 3^rd Series. Fickle Mother Nature presented a warm evening and a clear blue sky. However she did insist on varying both the direction and strength of a light, mainly NNW air.

Accordingly the start once again ran adjacent to the bridge. Upwind to a trackside buoy, starboard to a far bank buoy. Once again to starboard and a broad reach taking another track side buoy to port. It was then just a case of a dead run to the finish.

A consensus of opinion resulted in a final upwind leg being added to future races. With the wind on the wane a total of 6 races were completed. With no one dominating proceedings several private duels emerged often producing varying interpretations of the regulations. Finally, may I thank not only the skippers but other members who have supported the Series during these trying times.

Mike Benson

DF95 Fleet Captain

Tuesday 18 August 2020

10 enthusiastic skippers lined up for the resumption of official racing. With Uncle Derek kindly acting as race officer a course was set with the start set parallel to the clubhouse. The predictable jockeying for prime locations ensued. Finally the start gave the release and the long upwind beat into a fickle westerly breeze certainly tested seamanship. Rounding the lollipop marker to port it was a dead run to a gate at the east end of the lake. Once negotiated it was a testing upwind leg to the finish.

The score sheet does not entirely reflect the cut and thrust of the races. The fluctuating wind speed was indeed a challenge. One or two skippers eventually tickled their tackle to good effect with the two Chris’s drawing on their wealth of know how. It would be remiss of me not to mention the encouraging 1^st race win by Richard Hocking. It bodes well for the future. Furthermore we welcome Olly, Malcolm and Alan into the fleet and hope that the big boat racer Andy Richies may soon swell the numbers. Finally, may I thank you all for your courtesy on the water.

Mike Benson

DF95 Fleet Captain

18^th January 2020

A fine day, and a nice westerly breeze of about fifteen mph, allowed us to set a triangular course of two laps per race, using about three quarters of the lake, for the five skippers who turned out, with new recruit Malcolm Clement joining us for the first time.

The wind was a little unpredictable at times and it became a good challenge, with every race being different each time. As usual it was Derek who mastered the conditions the best, and with his experience it was no surprise that he took the honours on the day.

The wind had picked up a little after our half time cuppa, and it had become very cold, and we had just about had enough after our eight races, and we were more than ready to call time and get back into the warm.

Our next outing for the 95 is on Saturday 15^th February, 12 noon start.

Bob Jolly

Saturday 30th November

WOW, sitting here on Saturday night thinking that days like today are why we sail model racing yachts, what a start to the new season for the DF95 !

For the first event of the winter series of 2019 a beautifully sunny day with mid A rig breeze met a great turn out of 10 skippers. The wind wasn’t straight down the lake but near enough to allow a decent course to be set. About half the lake was used until this could be extended when the power boat enthusiast from Malta left us free to use as much as we wanted. The shifting ESE wind made for tactical racing which was a joy to be a part of, after the first few races there was only going to be one winner at this event  ( when you discard a second its going well ) but the racing was close throughout the fleet including for the win on some occasions. It seemed a shame to finish after the usual 8 races had been completed so we threw in an extra two lap race at the end finishing just after 16:00.

Thanks again to Bob and Garry for all the organisation, it really is appreciated.

However we do need to share the load, a class captain who can be present for most events is required, please speak up if your interested, there’s plenty of support for anyone who wants to have a go.

Next  DF95 event on the 14th Dec, more of the same please. 

Gordon Bayliff

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

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