11.1.2025 TRSC IOM Saturday Sailing Report

We arrived at the Lakes at 1 PM to find a new yacht hull nearly complete, Dennis S is eagerly awaiting its keel to be poured.  I will give him a hand with both my two lead pots and a blow touch on the go. A true labor of love!

We were also thrilled to welcome back Bruce, a blast from the past! After many years away from the water, he returned with his IOM Kiwi2 and proved he’s still right in the mix. Great to see you again, Bruce!

Although numbers were still low due to the holiday season, this made for some closer, more intense racing. Ken faced a challenging day as his winch randomly changed positions, forcing him to continually adjust his stick positions to keep up with the erratic behavior.

Ian and Bruce sailed for half the session, while Gary, John, Ian, and I managed to race most of the heats. The summer heat was intense, so we sought shade under the gazebo or flax bushes between races. Remember to stay hydrated and keep your sails out of hot cars, everyone!

Our Race Officer, Owen P, set us off on a long race just before 4 PM. Ken had a tough start after getting hooked, giving the rest of us a much-needed head start against his powerful blue machine.

The race unfolded with plenty of excitement. I managed to round the bridge mark first, thanks to a late right-hand wind shift, closely chased by Gary and John. The downwind leg was incredibly fast, with plenty of opportunities to gain or lose ground. The swirly wind conditions on the return leg from the bus stop kept everyone in contention, with the lead shifting depending on how the breeze swung.

In the end, I just managed to take the win in this long race, with the other three meters close behind.

A fantastic day of sailing! See you all on Wednesday.

Graham