DF65 scratch racing results from 25th July

Another very enjoyable day on the lake with 12 boats registered for the days racing. We had a sunny warm 18°C day with a solid breeze from the north east at around 5 to 10 knots in gusts.

Unfortunately as the day wore on the direction changed to more northerly and it softened to make the last series of races a little frustrating. A northerly breeze created tunnels of air that travel the length of the lake in thin channels which if you are outside of them then you are in trouble because it is so calm. We offer a huge credit to the skippers that can pick when a twisting breeze changes because you don't see it on the water. If you can see it then ten boats are already reacting and sweeping past you on flashy starboard or port tacks.

 

We set the course up along the western boundary but tried to stay out where the tunnels of air were visible. The course was moved southward so the bottom marks were just 5 - 8 meters off the bank and the start line 15 meters ahead. The top marks were moved down into the windy zone but as is normal the fluctuations often caused issues at that top mark end for all the skippers including the boats out front. Heading out wide on a Hail Mary tack hoping for a magical lift to drive you around the fleet paid off just twice in 12 races, not my best strategy at all.

 

Huge thank you to John Wade who started the PRO role due to a management issue, he relinquished it to Kevin after just a few races as Kev had electrical issues with the #15 boat again. He did a great job ordering anyone who had broken the line to return from the OCS position much to the dismay of a few of us. BUT we were called and return behind the line we did. For the most part the racing was fast and clean which is a credit to the fleet who are improving every week. There were still a few incidents but they were mostly just inattention or poor judgement (Yours truly included!).

 

The DF65 is a very tricky boat to sail well because it is twitchy and has little to no momentum so if you take your eyes off the boat that was going flat out, it will round up and come to an immediate stand still. Recovery is not as easy as you may think. We train to manage being "in irons" by moving the rudder to one side and releasing the sails. Usually the boat will drift backwards until it becomes side on the breeze then you slowly bring on the sails and away it goes. This is a skill worth practising outside the racing program. Even doing a 360° penalty can be practised but working out which is faster, do you tack and then jibe or jibe first then tack? Sounds silly but it can save you lots of places if you can do this quickly and cleanly.

 

Congratulations to Nick Jerwood who won the day with 6 wins out of 12 races. In second place was Jason Poutsma with one race win but plenty of podiums and in third was Donks.