NICHOLSON MODEL SAILING CLUB

RESULTS - RACE #1, 20 October 2018 

An overcast day with threatening clouds, racing started in nice Southerly breeze that gave tight competition. Started raining but we kept racing as looked like conditions were only going to get worse, and they did. Got colder and rain came and then decreased, only to get heavier as we finished the last races in light winds, then got even heavier. All wet but seven races in the bag.

Seven races, 3 laps 10knots down to  drifting and raining
FIRST on 7pts- David Meldrum - Alternative #55 - Red 10 second handicap

SECOND on 15pts - Peter Ellsmore - Pikanto #77

THIRD on 18pts - Colin Johanson - PP5 #41

Then, with scores - Ken 26, Richard W. 27, Martin 32, Maureen 38, Ellis 46, Bernard 60, with one discard.

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RESULTS - RACE #2, 3 November 2018 

As a result of people being otherwise engaged over the long-weekend for Cup-Day, along with a poor weather forecast, it was decided to cancel after a ring around.

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RESULTS - RACE #3, 17 November 2018 

Weather was 14 to 18 degrees with wind ranging from 8 to probably 14 knots. Overcast but wind was cool but no rain.

After some teething troubles of boats having fixable issues, we had 7 races of three laps around a triangle course. There were lots of boat tangles and terrible starts and roundings - we're all out of practice, but Ken showed calmness to get his boat going well and sail consistently clean. With strengthening breeze most stayed with sometimes overpowered A Rigs, so was a testing day for gear. The old style Club mold built boats,  shoed they may be old but are still fast, even in high wind conditions.

Seven races, 3 laps 8-14 knots, cool but dry
FIRST on 9pts- Ken Nichols - Ocka #104 - Red 10 second handicap

SECOND on 16pts -  David Meldrum - Alternative #55

THIRD on 25pts - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

Then, with scores - Colin Johanson 26, Martin 29, Peter Elsmore 34, Maureen 40, Bruce 45, Bernard 48, Alan 84, with one discard.

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RESULTS - RACE #4, 1 December 2018 

Weather was a sunny and pleasant 27 degrees with wind ranging from 8 to probably 14 knots. Sunny with some clouds, the but wind was fluctuating with a number of significant shifts. Wind seemed to be building to B rig day, as forecast, but wind settled down again. Alan Hurst had intended to race, but an unlucky collision before the start of racing, damaged his boat, so that he was unable to compete.

With only five boats sailing, we had 7 races of three laps around a trapezoid course. The secret of the day was keeping out of contacts with boats and rounding on the correct side. With strengthening breeze most stayed with sometimes overpowered A Rigs, so was a fun day, with too many penalties by all, but we kept sailing after the races just for fun for another four races, that were still fast, with the warm wind conditions.

Seven races, 3 laps 8-14 knots, warm and dry
FIRST on 10pts- Colin Johanson - PP5 #41 - Red 10 second handicap

SECOND on 15pts -  Bruce Ellis - Budgie #26 

THIRD on 18pts - David Meldrum - Alternative #55

Then, with scores - Ken Nichols 19, Martin Hinchcliff 24, with one discard.

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RESULTS - RACE #5, 15 December 2018 

Weather was cloudy then sun came out for a pleasant 22-27 degrees with wind ranging from 8 to probably 14 knot gusts S-SE, with shifts or 30 degrees, at times. Wind seemed to be building to B rig day, as forecast, but it didn't fully happen and seven races were completed quickly.

We got 5 races in then had a break - literally for David Meldrum - in setting his yacht in its cradle, his keel fell out! A broken top bolt (very weird) in Dave's own well-built Alternative (top of bolt still in deck). Then after races finished, Bruce's mast broke at the base.

With only seven boats sailing, we had 7 races of three laps around a triangle course. Again secret of the day was keeping out of contacts with boats and rounding on the correct side. Too many penalties by all and cries of "you can't do that!", but we stopped sailing after the races as the weather looked threatening the forecast thunderstorms, so we all agreed to pack up.

Good day of fast, often tight, racing on a day, that, after the storms of the preceding days, we were surprised at the weather being so pleasant.

Seven races, 3 laps 8-14 knots, warm and dry
FIRST on 10pts- Colin Johanson - PP5 #41 - Yellow 20 second handicap

SECOND on 16pts -  Richard Wareham - Ocka #105 

THIRD on 18pts - Ken Nichols - Ocka #104

Then, with scores - Peter E. 22, David M. 27 (2 DNS), Bruce E 35 (one DNf), Bernard 51 (3 DNS), with one discard.

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See you in 2019 and a Happy New Year to all.

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RESULTS - RACE #6, 5 January 2019 Weather was overcast but pleasant 17-20 degrees (especially after yesterday's 42 heat) with wind ranging from 0 to probably 5 knot gusts W-SE and even N at one point, with many shifts and drifting conditions. Wind was forecast stronger, but so were showers and even storms. We had drizzly rain, but not being cold, we ignored it and kept sailing, after plastic bags were found to cover our Transmitters. We got 5 races in then had a break to return to even freakier lulls. Very much a day determined by puffs of wind on just parts of the course, making sailing tight at times, to very spread out. Then after races finished, it started to rain and while collecting buoys, the pin on the electric motor broke, so that was fixed in the rain and finally everything put away.

With only seven boats sailing, we had 7 races of three and two laps around a triangle course. Strategy of the day was to be in the right place when a puff comes through, or lose, so everyone seemed to get a chance at the front. Our first drifting day of the season was interesting to see the performance of the new and old hulls, and how they differed from performance in wind. David's boat needed rescuing after finding a clump of weed, and Bernards with a battery issue.

Good day of slow, but often tight, racing on a day, that, with the weather forecast, was almost abandoned, but we were surprised at the weather being so comfortable.

Seven races, 3 laps 0-5 knots, cool and damp
FIRST on 9pts- David Meldrum - Alternative #55  - Yellow 20 second handicap

SECOND on 14pts - Peter Ellsmore - Pikanto #77 

THIRD on 16pts - Maureen Lee - Ocka derivative #103

Then, with scores - Colin J. 22, Ken N. 23, Richard W. 26, Bruce E 42, with one discard.

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RESULTS - RACE #7, 2 February 2019 Weather was sunny and hot 24-32 degrees with wind ranging from 7 to probably 15 knot gusts S-W, with many shifts and building to top A rig conditions. Wind was forecast building even stronger, so started just after 12:40 and we got 5 races in then had a break to return to even stronger for last two races. 

With only six boats sailing, we had 7 races of three and two laps around a box course. Strategy of the day was sail high and fast with fewer errors. Penalties were numerous with everyone taking the pain, when they made errors. DF95 acquitted itself well against the IOMs and showed great downwind speed. 

Good day of fast, and often tight, racing on a day, that had everyone hot by the time we finished. Dave's van and shade were replaced by our fold-up sun shade that was important on a sunny day like this.

Some GLYC members turned up as they had a cruise to Nicko, and some had a go after racing finished. Richard had a chance for his Tuesday night skipper to sail his boat for a change!

Seven races, 3 laps 0-5 knots, hot and dry
FIRST on 8pts- Ken Nichols - Ocka #104  - Yellow 20 second handicap

SECOND on 15pts - Peter Ellsmore - Pikanto #77 

THIRD on 16pts - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

Then, with scores - Colin J. 18, A.Hurst DF95 25, Maureen Lee 35 (DNF and 4 DNS don't help), with one discard.

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RESULTS - RACE #8, 16 February 2019 Weather was bright and cloudless, sunny and hot 22-30 degrees with wind ranging at the start of under 5 knots, after drifting light winds before that for practice. As forecast, the winds gradually built to a nice 8-10 and after a break for sustenance probably 13 knot S-W, with some shifts and building to top A rig conditions. We got 5 races in then had a break to return to even stronger for last two races. 

With only six boats sailing, we had 7 races of three laps around a triangle course. Strategy of the day was, sail around the buoys cleanly, with penalties for those whose vision failed them. Racing was very tight with many boats finishing within seconds of each other, in bunches. Carrying speed over the line for starts and finishes was important as were tactics throughout the races. Quite a few 'match racing' scenarios with little differences in boat speed, and racing lines being paramount.

Good day of fast, and very tight, racing on a day, that had everyone hot by the time we finished. Shade was provided by our fold-up sunshade, that was important on a sunny day like this.

We had one visitor who videoed a race with his Mavic drone! We may be able to get a copy of the video. Colin was also racing his Frigate yacht instead of PP5 as its first Series Race.

Seven races, 3 laps 5-13 knots, hot and dry
FIRST on 10pts- Martin Hinchcliff  - Alternative #25 Red 10 second handicap

SECOND on 15pts - Colin Johanson - Frigate 2.2  #41 

THIRD on 15pts (very tight countback) - Peter Ellsmore - Pikanto #77

Then, with scores - Ken N. 22 winning equal forth with Richard W. 22 only on countback,  Maureen L. 33 (DNF didn't help), with one discard.

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Racing on 3rd March abandoned due to weather and busy/unwell sailors.

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RESULTS - RACE #9, 17 March 2019 Weather was bright and cloudless, sunny and hot 24 degrees with wind starting at under 10 knots, for practice and the first two races. As forecast, the winds shifted and came in too high for A Rig. After a break for rig changes wind was probably 18-20+ knot S-E. We then got another 6 races in rapid succession but only with 3 boats. See the wind chart below for how conditions changed.

We started with six boats sailing, and another turning up after a flat tyre fix, but with no B rigs, four could not continue sailing. Strategy of the day, once the wind was up, sail around the buoys cleanly, with lots of speed from B rigs, and keep control smooth by the three remaining boats. Meanwhile, those of us with A rigs only, regretted their only bringing A rigs and missing out on a fun sailing day.  

Shade was provided by our fold-up sunshade, that was important on a sunny day like this, but hard to take down in the wind.

Seven races, 8-25 knots, warm and dry

FIRST on 10pts- Ken Nichols - Ocka #104  - Green 30 second handicap

SECOND on 12pts - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

THIRD on 14pts  - Maureen Lee - Ocka derivative #103

Then, with scores - Peter E.,  Alan H., Bernard with one discard. Colin didn't sail at all.

RESULTS - RACE #10, 6 April 2019 Weather was overcast and 21 degrees 

We started with six boats sailing, with A rigs, on a triangle course

Shade was provided by David'svan shade, as he just got back.

Seven races, very little wind, warm and dry

FIRST on 9pts- David Meldrum - Alternative #55  - Green 30 second handicap

SECOND on 14pts - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

THIRD on 19pts  - Peter Elsmore - Pikanto #77

Then, with scores - Colin J. 21,  Bruce E. 22, Maureen L. 35 (3x DNF)

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RESULTS - RACE #11, 27 April 2019 This race was delayed one week, by agreement, due to Easter. Weather was bright and cloudy, then sunny but only 16 degrees with wind starting at 15 knots, for practice and with stronger winds forecast, we all went B rig, apart from Bruce with his Budgie. As forecast, the winds shifted West but kept dropping with occasional gusts then fading to drifting conditions on some parts of the course. After a break for afternoon tea, Richard was smart and moved to A rig, while the rest expected higher winds, as forecast. Wind dropped into mid A rig and Richard showed his choice to be right. David still found wind enough to shine.

We had seven boats sailing, in these fluctuating conditions where a good puff put you well out in front, while others sat with little wind and B rigs. Good benchmarking of hulls in light winds with smaller rigs, and challenging sailing, so still fun and often tight sailing in trying conditions.

Seven races, 0-15 knots,  cool and dry

FIRST on 10pts - David Meldrum - Alternative #55  - Already on Green 30 second handicap

SECOND on 16pts - Bruce Ellis - Budgie #26

THIRD on 18pts  - Colin Johanson - PP5 #41

Then, with scores - Peter E. 21,  Richard W. (1,3,1 in last three races)25, Maureen L. 30, Bernard 32

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RESULTS - RACE #12, 18 May 2019 Weather was bright and sunny and up to19 degrees with wind starting at under 5 knots, for practice and with slightly stronger winds forecast. We had a great BBQ lunch as a close to our season, with fantastic food provided by the ladies and Bernard, so we enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine with no cold wind

By the time we started racing the wind shifted to North then SE then all over the place as the slight breeze faded into drifting dead still conditions. Challenge of the day was at times to just keep moving forward in the right direction. 2nd and 3rd races were shortened to two laps of an already compact course (and race 2 had finishes declared for some tailenders as not enough wind to actually finish!). After a break for afternoon tea, hoping for some increased wind, we saw ripples on the water and went back to sailing only to have it fade again. The expected light breeze didn't appear until Race 7 and that gave lovely conditions that stayed constant while we all packed up! Anyway, the day was very pleasant, fun had by all, even if sailing was frustrating. Add to that jellyfish or a bit of weed coming upriver on the tide could stop you dead

We had eight boats sailing, in these fluctuating conditions where a slight puff could put you well out in front or allow you to get over the startline! Good comparisons of hull designs and playing with sail trim was paramount to keeping sailing, in these very light winds and it led to some very tight sailing and finishes. Many places could change in the last 10 metres before the finish, if a tack had to be done in such drifting conditions.

Seven races, 0-5 knots,  warm in the sun and dry

FIRST on 9pts - Colin Johanson - Frigate #41 (discard a 3rd)

SECOND on 13pts - David Meldrum - Alternative #55 

THIRD on 20pts  - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

Then, with scores - Ken N. 23, Peter E. 24,  Richard W. then Maureen L. (radio problems after a 1st in race 2), Bernard and Alan