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NICHOLSON MODEL SAILING CLUB

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RACE RESULTS 2021 -2022

RESULTS - RACE #1, 20 November 2021

It looks as if, for numerous reasons, the NMSC is in a spot of bother. We seem to have lost a few occasional sailers over Lockdown and we now need to encourage new members to our sport. We can even lend a yacht to try racing. Spread the word!

First race of 2021-2 NMSC Series completed today, with 6 boats.

Weather was cool and overcast, wind all over the place from SE to E at a flukey 1 - 5 kts. Only 160, the wind was cold but not too bad as so light. A tiny bit of drizzle early on disappeared to give dry racing. All of the racing was in A rig wind range. Everyone used A rigs.QR Codes were used to check-in but after last week's flooding, there was still past ankle-deep water between carpark and normal sailing platform. We decided to sail from the small Southerly platform, as there were only six sailing, that was covered in mud too but mostly dry (Colin still got muddy wheels and hands). Water was just below platform decking level. Compared to 2020 when our site was surrounded by bushfires, it was a stark contrast, for late November.

David has built a new Alternative, that sailed really well with three 1sts in its first three races, with the B rig was only finished last night! Peter was back with his Alternative too. Pin-end, port good starts were the best, as the wind shifted after course laying of a basically square course. Clean racing and good lines gave most consistent wins. David 

Six boats started and six sailed every race, which is great.

FIRST on 8 pts-  Colin Johanson - Kantwo #72 - Red 10 second handicap now

SECOND on 9 pts - David Meldrum  - Alternative #00

THIRD on 14 pts - Peter Elsmore  - Alternative #00 and 

Then with scores, Richard W. 16, Maureen 17, and Charles 29, so you can see close scores.

RESULTS - RACE #3, 4 December 2021

When we arrived and started sailing, a light wind was mainly W, across the river. By race time in the afternoon it had settled down to mainly SW to E and light to 8 knot blusters. Wind strength and direction changed all afternoon with occasional shifts to West winds across the course with frequent lulls and rare gusts. If you were in a wind band you moved nicely, and wind was mainly consistent across the course. With lots of place changes throughout the races and often small waves coming up river from the lakes.

Everyone was taking their penalties and racing was slow, technical and flukey. Very much a day when a good start was so important as was being lucky with winds changing strength and direction frequently, making strategy difficult. Very enjoyable and jovial sail though with some bumps at buoys and misjudgment of lines.

Six races, 3 laps 1-5 knots  SW to W, with few gusts.

FIRST on 12 pts (by countback only) - David Meldrum - Alternative # - Red 10 second handicap now

SECOND on 12 pts (on countback only) - Martin Hinchliffe - Alternative #25

THIRD on 15 pts - Ken Nichols  - Ocka #104 

Then, with scores - Colin 16 and Richard 29, with one discard.

RESULTS - RACE #4, 15 January 2022

 
Weather forecast was warm overcast, with high chance of storms but the day very overcast but warm at 220 up to 270 no storm but very little wind after about 12:30 with racing delayed until 1:30, expecting wind. Six boats, wind all over the place, what little there was, from SSE to W at a flukey 0 - 4 kts. After last month's flooding, the river was still high and dirty, but our platform was dry to access. 

Martin's Alternative, sailed consistently well with five 1sts and two 2nd (one as a discard) and was rarely challenged in the drifting conditions, after David's two firsts. Martin now joins David and Colin in the penalty squad!

Everyone was taking their penalties and racing was slow, technical and flukey. Very much a day when a good start was so important as was being lucky with winds changing strength and direction frequently, making strategy difficult. Very enjoyable and jovial sail though with few bumps at buoys as all were sailing so carefully and slowly. In near-zero wind, touching a buoy, with a resultant 360 turn, was not fun. Colin hooked a finish line buoy so well, as he finished the last race, he needed to be unhooked when packing up! Once sailing finished, the wind had come in a bit, which was a bit frustrating.

Seven races, 3 laps 0-4 knots  SE to W, drifting with few gusts.

FIRST on 7 pts  - Martin Hinchcliff - Alternative #25- Red 10 second handicap

SECOND on 11 pts  - David Meldrum - Alternative #87

THIRD on 16 pts  - Colin Johanson - Kantwo #72

Then, with scores - Ken & Richard 24, then Matt, with one discard.

Club IOM Scratch Race Trophy - 29 January

Racing abandoned due to rain.

RESULTS - RACE #5, 5 February 2022

 
Weather forecast was warm overcast, with a low chance of rain but the day was very overcast, drizzling rain on the way to Nickolson but then stopped and warm at 200 up to 270 but very changeable and building wind as the day went on. Eight boats, until Peter (and his transmitter) fell in when the bank collapsed where he was pushing his boat off a rock.
 
Wind was reasonably consistent direction from, what little there was, from SE to SW at a building 8 - 15 kts. The river was much lower and dirty, so our platform was dry to access. 

David, sailed consistently well with five 1sts and two 2nd (one as a discard) and was rarely challenged in the top of A rig conditions, after David's two firsts, he moves to a 20 second penalty with Colin and Martin in the 10 sec penalty squad!

Everyone was taking their penalties and racing was technical and building winds started to take their toll on equipment. Everyone stayed with A Rigs, but Martin, Richard and Colin had rigging problems. Richard was able to get going again after a new mainsheet was fabricated

Seven races, 3 laps 8-15 knots  SE to mainly SW, with gusts.

FIRST on 7 pts  - David Meldrum - Alternative #87 - Yellow 20 second handicap

SECOND on 16 pts  - Colin Johanson - Kantwo #72

THIRD on 19 pts  - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

Then, with scores - Maureen & Charles 24, then Matt 31, and Martin 32 with one discard.

RESULTS - RACE #6, 19 February 2022

 
Weather forecast was fine and sunny at 230 but I was not there, so simple report. Six boats were racing. Wind reasonably consistent direction from SE  at a building 5 - 10 kts. 

David, starting with a 20 second penalty, sailed consistently well with three 1sts and three 2nd (a 3rd as a discard) and was rarely challenged in the nice A rig conditions. David now moves to a maximum 30 second start penalty.

 Everyone stayed with A Rigs.

Seven races, 3 laps 5-10 knots  SE, with gusts.

FIRST on 9 pts  - David Meldrum - Alternative #87 - Green 30 second handicap

SECOND on 14 pts  - Peter Elsmore  - Alternative #00 

THIRD on 15 pts  - Martin Hinchcliff - Alternative #25

Then, with scores - Richard W. 18, Maureen 24, then Matt 29, with one discard.

RESULTS - RACE #7, 19 March 2022

 
Weather forecast was fine and cloudy at 230 and seven boats were racing. Wind reasonably consistent direction from SE  at a building 0 - 10 kts. 

David, starting with a 30 second penalty, sailed consistently well with but Ken was the standout on the day with four 1sts places until a faulty rudder servo ended his day, but he was so consistent until he sadly had to miss the last two races in the nice A rig conditions. Peter also had to miss the last two races with boat problems. David stays on a max 30 second start penalty.

For the first time a countback was required for second place with Ken, Richard and Colin all on 18 points, by countback Ken had second, Richard third (with two 1st places) and Colin missed out. Maureen was also up there on 19 points.

 Everyone stayed with A Rigs.

Seven races, 3 laps 5-10 knots  SE, with gusts.

FIRST on 16 pts  - David Meldrum - Alternative #87 - Green 30 second handicap

SECOND on 18 pts  - Ken Nichols  - Ocka #104 

THIRD on 18 pts  - Richard Wareham - Ocka #105

Then, with scores - Colin 18, Maureen 19, Peter 31 then Matt 35, with one discard.

RESULTS - RACE #8, 9 April 2022

 
Weather forecast was fine and 260 and six boats were racing. Wind was initially from the North, but eventually (later than we'd thought would be the case) swung to East and SE. Very fluky with speeds of 0 - 7 kts, but mostly very light. It was a day where luck played a huge part - you could be out front, then just stop and others would coast past you on a puff that hardly got you moving. At the same time you could be at the back and be left behind becalmed. Frustrating but fun racing at the same time. Beautiful blue skies all day.

David, starting with a 30 second penalty, couldn't seem to catch a break but Ken was the standout with two 1sts places and 3 2nds, winning on a countback from Peter, who was consistent but only one 1st. Everyone raced and finished each race again in the trying A rig conditions. Peter also had to miss the last two races with boat problems. David stays on a max 30 second start penalty, but Ken finally picks up a 10 second penalty.

Everyone agreed that it was a lovely day to be out sailing on the river, whilst downstream the lakes were suffering a blue algae outbreak. The weather was just so pleasant that even the fluky breeze didn't put a damper on it. Great day

 Everyone stayed with A Rigs.

Seven races, 3 laps 5-10 knots  N to SE, with puffs and very light wind.

FIRST on 12 pts  - Ken Nichols  - Ocka #104  - Red 10 second handicap now

SECOND on 12 pts  - Peter Elsmore  - Alternative #00

THIRD on 20 pts  - Colin Johanson - Kantwo #72

Then, with scores - David 22, Richard W. 25, Maureen 26, with one discard.

Nicholson Mode Sailing Club IOM Scratch Race, 23 April 2022
This race was postponed from 29th January until 23 April.

Finally, the IOM Scratch Race was on and the weather gods smiled with light winds but only ranging from South Easterly to Southerly direction. Sunny day but only up to 190 and only five boats racing, in 2 - 7 knot winds and 10 races of 3 laps on a triangle course. 

Everyone had an enjoyable day and those not there, for a variety of reasons, were missed. David dominated again and Martin was close behind with their Alternatives (both from the Club mold). Colin in his Kantwo was third, with Ken and Richard close behind in their Ockas (also from an old Club mold).

Sailing was very tight and leads could be hard to hold, with the frequent wind strength changes. Fluctuating breezes were frustrating but a challenge, depending where you were when wind dropped or puffs happened. Agreed that a fun day of sailing was had by all. The new one-minute start tape worked a treat (thanks to David for recording the MP3 we had to a tape, for our antique start machine), so much less frustrating waiting to get going. Only one general recall where port starters fouled starboard boats, causing a mess of tangled boats.

Club IOM Scratch Race 2022
NAME STYLE SAIL# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL - 2 drop PLACE
DavidAlternative873114112132121
Martin Alternative25222343121DNF162
ColinKantwo721441345321193
KenOcka1045532223443234
RichardOcka1054355554554355

RESULTS - RACE #9, 6 May 2022

Weather forecast was cool, showers and top of 160 and five boats raced. Everyone used their B rigs with winds North to NW , strength 5-14 knot plus gusts, settling later in the day gave some fast and fun sailing. At times the wind dropped away or you'd sail into a hole, other times gusts would hit and the boats would take off, lots of wind shifts too, made it interesting sailing. Sailing up-river starts and Starboard roundings, made for a change in mindset, so that was different.

David, starting with his 30 second penalty, usually got towards the front within a lap and was his usual consistent competitor, but Colin off 10 second penalty was the standout with four 1sts places, a 2nd and 3rds, Martin also on 10 seconds, was consistently in the top 3. Everyone raced and finished each race again in the trying B rig conditions. Colin moves up to a 20 second penalty start.

NAME

SAIL#246TOTAL-1 discardDavid8742111Martin231214Colin721338Richard10524524Maureen10355427RESULTS - RACE #10, 21 May 2022

 
 
 
Everyone agreed that it was cold as the wind came in, but we were dressed for the cold. Great day's sailing and a fitting end to our racing season. Downstream the lakes are still suffering badly from blue algae.

FIRST on 13 pts  - Ken Nichols - Ocka #104 

THIRD on 18 pts  - Colin Johanson - Kantwo #72

 

STYLE1357PLACE
Alternative54334
Alternative13162
Ocka46255
Custom65646
Kantwo31413
Ocka22521

RACE

3579TOTALDAVID555436COLIN242527KEN3 4 19RICHARD 33215MARTIN4  315PETER    15MAUREEN 2116CHARLES11  2