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

20^th August 2019

An overcast evening with rain threatening, and a light breeze down the lake, were the conditions the five skippers who turned out had to deal with.

A triangular course of two laps per race was set and eight races were had in the time. With the wind that there was changing direction and dropping as the night went on, a slight course change was needed for the last race.

Derek was on hand to help with RO duties, and keep his hand in by taking the helm of the odd boat.

Chris as in recent weeks was once again on song, and with his consistent sailing took top spot. Unusual to see John have an off night, leaving Bob to take second place with some fine results.

The next outing for the 95 is on Saturday 24^th Aug 1pm start.

Bob Jolly

13^th Aug 2019

A pleasant nights sailing was had by the six skippers who turned out for the fourth event of the series, with the sun shining and a good blow straight down the lake, a triangular course of two laps per race was set, and eight races were had in the time.

Chris was on excellent form and took all eight bullets after boat averages were taken into account.

John once again was the victim of servo problems, which seems to have plagued him in recent weeks, and put an end to his challenge midway through proceedings

Thanks to Derek who was on hand to do the starting and scoring, and he also borrowed the odd boat to show us how it can be done.

Next up for the 95 is on Tuesday the 20^th Aug, 6.30pm start.

Bob Jolly

23^rd July   2019

On the hottest and most humid night of this year, five core skippers enjoyed eight races in fickle A rig conditions which at times became a drifting session only to be followed, within minutes, by a filling breeze!

As ever, many thanks to Derek who set a challenging course with varied start line amendments when required.

As you will gather from the results, John S proved his class and allowing for the ‘average score’ when Derek was successful and a wrong course instruction (via yours truly), he managed a clean sweep.

Next week the DF95 club racing is CANCELLED – but for those skippers who let their boats be used for team racing there is FREE fish and chips on offer.

Garry B

Tuesday, 16 July 1019

In near perfect ‘blessed’ A rig conditions the core fleet were pleased to have John and Susan Sharman to swell the fleet.

The westerly breeze provided a challenging course kindly set by Derek who, as usual performed the RO duties and along with John Taylor took the helm and as the norm showed us the way!

A word for Susan S:  whose result belies the unnecessary penalty turns and over staying at the beat marker whilst at the head of the fleet.

So, as per the norm, consistent finishes prove rewarding and Chris (yet again) is the man to beat although if not for a faulty sail winch John may well have reversed the order.

On the whole an excellent night to be on the water and for those who could not make it there is another opportunity next week when we have event one of the third series.

Gordon B

9^TH July 2019

On arrival, a healthy blow of about 10mph was coming almost straight down the lake, so the five skippers who turned out prepared to tackle a triangular course which was set by our race officer Derek, with us all on A`s we set out on time, but as the evening progressed the wind was dropping all the time making it ever challenging as the night wore on, we managed to just get our eight races in as the wind decided to leave us.

Chris once again was on good form and sailing consistently, and after taking into account borrowed boat averages (as Derek took a few out) he came out with seven bullets on the night, and won the event convincingly over Bob and Garry in second and third respectively.

So for some reason a low turnout again, and with us now well into the year it`s a shame more 95`s are not on the water, so if you have a 95 and are reading this, come on down to our next meeting which is on Tuesday 16^th July 6.30pm start, and join in the fun.

Bob Jolly

2^nd July 2019

With a strong NNW wind it was B rigs all round for the eight skippers that turned out. A triangular two lap course was set and eight races were had in the time.

Very challenging conditions to say the least, as gusts were coming through seemingly from all directions, and it was no surprise that a couple suffered breakdowns as we progressed. David had winch failure in the first race and that put paid to his evening, and Garry had a sail collapse and that cost him a few races, Mark too had problems late on.

Derek was present to lend a hand on tuning, and to borrow the odd boat and show us how it should be done, sailing in the unpredictable conditions.

So to the racing. Chris with his experience had his boat tuned perfectly from off, and he sailed consistently well all night taking the honours easily with six bullets, Garry after all his troubles put in a creditable performance in the second half, and recovered from his misfortunes to edge second place. For the rest of us it was a difficult night, but pretty much even as the results show, there were only three points separating third to sixth place.

So not an easy night, but still enjoyable and with a good turnout made for a good night’s sailing, and I’m sure we all learnt from the experience.

Our Next DF 95 meet is on Tuesday 9^th July 6.30pm.

Bob Jolly

Saturday 29th June

With an iffy forecast although to remain dry, 9 Skippers met up for the Saturday’s afternoon series.It’s not too bad as you can still go out shopping in the morning, if that’s your thing.
The first couple of races were a bit unsure as the wind hadn’t quite made up it’s mind to where it was going to settle and one race was even abandoned due to a great wind shift. Derek had been shuffling the start line and order of buoys to be taken on each race.
Finally at about race four the cast was set and a triangle followed by a sausage course was sailed from just outside the clubhouse. John Sharman was to be troop leader as he was off to a sprint start on nearly every race, leaving the rest to just get in each others way.
Derek kindly alternated among struggling crew to help trim and get the best from their boat. When you see that it doesn’t matter which boat he’s been sailing, you then know your success is down to your interpretation of how you sail it.
After about five races a welcome coffee break was called. The wind further increased and the sailing got better. John S. continued in his conquest to better his score and also helped struggling skippers to trim their boats just like his.
We finished sailing at 4pm just as the wind got up even more and looked like threatening the use of a smaller sail.
John had the perfect score of 8 points from the ten races sailed. Bob J. came second and Eric A. in third place. The next in the Saturday series is for the smaller Df 65 in July and then back on to the DF95 in August.

Tony W