This was another cracking DF95 event at Abbey Meads with strong gusty winds making for some exciting sailing at the top end of A rig. 16 races were sailed and whilst there were no visiting helmsmen it was great to welcome Alan Viney back to racing after such a long break. Competitors were very grateful to Judith Buurman for taking the scores.
Initially there was hardly a ripple on the water at the windward mark, but that soon changed as the wind increased to power these boats downwind on the limit of their A rig in the strong black gusts. One could feel autumn setting in, so the sun on one’s back was very pleasant. The simple windward leeward course made for some good racing with many very close finishes and spectacular speed off the wind.
In the very first race only the plastic cup of the bow of Roger’s BOTTLE boat separated him from Les Thorne, but in Race 2 the finishing places were reversed with Les winning ahead of Roger, who went on to win Race 3. Les won Race 4 in front of Martin Crysell, who then beat Leen Buurman into second in Race 5. Leen bettered this by winning Race 6 & 9 and interrupted Les’ run of wins in Races 7-10, before winning race 11 and letting Roger back in Races 12 & 15. Les won the remaining races, to finish with eight wins, beating the very consistent Martin into second place, with Leen third.
The Short Penalty system was used again and whilst not everyone did their penalty turn it did encourage more than the usual compliance. There should be no worry about this being too lenient as it still takes time ‘to face the other way’ when obliged. Roger is discussing the wording with IRSA Racing Committee Chairman, Gordon Davies, who believes that this move to a more lenient penalty is interesting and they are thrashing out the best wording for the Short Penalty rule. All will be revealed in due course…
The Guildford Club look forward to more of a response from DF 95 sailors in the local area, as this form of racing is both exciting & fun and is not to be missed!
