NICHOLSON MODEL SAILING CLUB

Colin was powering along until his DNF and had 6 bullets overall, but Ken was consistent throughout the day finishing off with two bullets. With the small fleet, Paul acquitted himself well with his new/used boat, even winning one race and a couple of seconds. After 10 races we had 2 drops, with Colin only squeaking past Ken's consistency by one point, so far. another set of races yet to come, for this trophy.

Despite the not-so-great weather, the racing was fun, with lots of place changes. This is the first of two races for the Club IOM Scratch Trophy, so it will be interesting how the next race goes on 17 February, to determine the winners. Next, we start our Racing Handicap Series on 18 November, so be there.

RESULTS - RACE #1, 18 November, 2023

Well, the first handicap series scratch races started on the 18th of November 2023 and was held with only five boats sailing. The poor weather forecast possibly discouraged a few.

The forecast was moderate winds, 18 degrees and overcast with possible showers, but we got the 18 degrees and the winds ranged from 8 to 12 gusting up to 14, especially in the late afternoon, but no showers.

David and Ken started off well but it was Richard who really showed his improved abilities over the afternoon his first win which was impressive, congrats Richard for a well-earned win. Richard's old boat model, the same as Ken's, both seem to revel in the higher winds and were very competitive. It only shows old-style hulls, in good hands and suitable weather, can be just as competitive as new hulls. Our new member Paul wasn't was not so lucky but was still up with the pack and everybody sailed every race.

As you can see from the results below, our first race of the series had some very interesting results. There were plenty of position changes especially if you missed a mark and penalties could take you from first to last place.

Everybody agreed that they had a wonderful day sailing, even if a bit cooler than expected and we packed up after a quick race of seven races but it had by that time got quite cold officially with wind chill factor and we were all ready to go home so see you next time on the  2nd of December for Race #2.

So Richard winning gains a 10 second start penalty, Ken 2nd and David 3rd.

RESULTS - RACE #2, 2 December, 2023

Cancelled due to weather and river level, after a lot of rain, in the last week.

RESULTS - RACE #3, 16 December, 2023

The second handicap series scratch races was finally held on the 16th of December 2023 and was held with six boats sailing. The weather forecast was mediocre but it turned into a lovely warm day.

The flooding from previous weeks was still an issue but we soldiered on despite the flooding that got worse over the afternoon. The pictures show what 0.48m river height does and it har risen about 120mm over the afternoon. At the end the water was flooding the platform. The previous race had the Nicholson River height peaking at 4.0m (8 times higher) on the Friday before racing!

The forecast was strong winds, 23 degrees and overcast with possible showers. Started out cool with a lovely 8knots but sun came out and soon was up to 24 degrees and the wind strength came up from the WSW ranging from from 10 to 14 gusting up to 16 or more, especially in the late afternoon.

David was consistently handling the strengthening wind over the afternoon, with his Alternative showed its ability to handle strong, gusty conditions, where other boats had their sterns up in the air.  Only Ian missed a race while changing down to his B rig, to cope with the wind, which was a wise move for his yacht, with the remainder staying on A Rigs. The gusts caused some rigging hook-ups, with Ken and Paul hooking sidestays on a rounding and having to be rescued. Ken and Paul both had a DNF, as a result of the hookup, but Paul is showing improvement each time he races with fewer errors and clean racing.

As you can see from the results below, our second race of the series had some very mixed results. There were plenty of position changes especially if you missed a mark, or buried your nose and penalties were not easy in the wind.

Ken was only one point behind Colin and Paul only one behind Richard - without their hookup, the results would likely be very different, but that's sailing.

Everybody agreed that they had a wonderful day sailing, and we packed up after a moderately quick seven races but it had by that time got too windy for our predominately A rig fleet, so see you next year for Race #3. Seasons greetings and have a safe break.

So DAVID winning gains a 10 second start penalty, Colin 2nd and Ken 3rd. Richard stays on 10 seconds.

RESULTS - RACE #4, 20 January, 2024

The first race of 2024 had a forecast of light winds, 22 degrees and overcast. Great to see the usual bunch and catch up on news. Started out cool with a lovely 3 knots but stayed cool topping 20 degrees and the wind was from everywhere from West to SE at varying strengths from 3, to 0, to 2 or 3 knots with occasional puffs of perhaps 4 knots. Very relaxing and pleasant sailing with tactics and luck being important.

David had winch plug problems and no soldering iron (he usually has one or two!) but Paul's mate was nearby and saved David's day - thank you to friends.

When racing started, with Richard and David carrying 10 second penalty starts, Colin seemed to be able to catch lucky breaks and the wind to win 6 races and discard a second place. Paul, with his new sails, made by David, was the only one to beat Colin and did that by leading for the whole three laps to a convincing win - a likely force to be reconned with. Unluckily Paul's transmitter battery ran out of juice during race #5 but he finished AND WON, but had to then miss the last two races. Racing was tight but clean with the five yachts often finishing in a tight group but few penalties were required.

There were several incredibly close finishes - twice Colin only beat David by an inch or two! Also 3rd and 4th places were often almost as close, so quite exciting close racing, all day.

All enjoyed the day racing in the light winds where clean racing and picking your course was important but the luck of being in a gust zone also helped as there were plenty of windless holes to encounter. So hope to see you next month for more racing.

So COLIN gains a 10 second start penalty, David 2nd and Ken & Richard equal 3rd! Richard and David stay on 10 seconds.

The weather was cool with a top of only 21o, and we had light winds moving from SSE to SSW at a fluctuating 1 - 6 knots, with no gusts just fluctuations. The day started with nil to light winds but by the time racing was to start, winds were very light but quite sailable, with no need to shorten the course from 3 laps, and wind slowly building strength over the day. All of our racing was well within A rig wind range.