Sailing Report: Last Saturday's IOM Session

The weather forecast had us braced for rain, but by 11 am, the sun made its unexpected appearance, drying up the ground and proving the weatherman wrong! With a quick pack of the B rig, I was off to the Lakes, where Nigel, Ken, and Pat soon joined. With four IOM yachts charging around in a stiff breeze, the stage was set for a thrilling afternoon.

Ken and I had a few hiccups early on—minor breakdowns that were swiftly resolved with a little ingenuity and more string. Before long, all four boats were back in action, engaging in ding-dong battles around the course. The stiff breeze paired us off at times, making for some nail-biting matchups as the IOMs hurtled around the track.

As the clock ticked to 3:45 pm, it was time for the long race, a must for every session. Ken started strong and looked like he’d claimed the bridge mark, but I managed to sneak in with a last-minute wind shift. Downwind, Pat sailed brilliantly, keeping his bow steady while Ken and I wrestled with a few ducks, Nigel hot on our heels. Pat rounded the bridge mark first, but the fickle shifts brought me back into contention. A flurry of port-starboard crossings and stern ducks kept the lead swapping between us, but the final shift worked in my favor. I crossed the line just a bow bumper ahead of Pat.

It was a fantastic session, full of close racing and camaraderie. With Christmas coming up on Wednesday, it’s the one day of the year we set aside for family and friends. See you all next Saturday at 1 pm at the Jetty for the next IOM session.

Merry Christmas to all! 🎄

Kens photos here Click here for TRSC Home page - 241223_IOM_Christmas