Douglas Yacht Racing Report

Fickle Weather for Sailors

Conditions for sailing last week in Douglas Bay Yacht Club's Skanco Evening Series were as contrary as ever.

On Tuesday the fleet drifted slowly around one lap of the course in the lightest of breezes, whereas on Thursday they blasted around four laps in a fresh to strong north-easter.

Tuesday's race started with boats stuck on the start line until Heatwave, Minuet, Quantum and Polished Manx were able to break out into a little breeze and use the tide

to get away from Aurora, Skoosh and Magic Roundabout.

Judging the layline to the Laxey Towing windward mark was more about tide than wind.

Heatwave rounded first, followed by Minuet, Polished Manx and Quantum. There was a long leg to the Number 4 mark which should have been a spinnaker run, but turned out to be a white sail reach. Minuet kept to the north of the rhumb line and gained some 6 boat lengths over Heatwave. It took just about 40 minutes to complete one lap, at which point the race was finished. Minuet held her lead to the line and took first place on corrected time.

On Thursday there was a brisk Force 4, gusting to Force 5, from the north east. Five boats started with a beat to the Skanco windward mark towards Howstrake. Polished Manx soon took the lead, chased hard by Heatwave. The run to Hilton was fast and exciting. Slick spinnaker work by Heatwave kept her in touch with Polished Manx.

Minuet and Drumbeat were next with Skoosh in the rear after what looked like a spinnaker problem. The order remained the same for four laps, with Heatwave hanging onto Polished Manx's coat tails and the pair of them increasing their lead over the following pack.

Polished Manx took Line Honours but Heatwave was the winner on corrected time.

Results –

Third Tuesday Series – Race 2. 1, Minuet (Mike Bailey). 2, Heatwave (Mike McMahon). 3, Polished Manx (Kuba Szymanski). 4, Quantum (Bobby Moore). 5, Aurora (David Boultbee). Skoosh & Magic Roundabout DNF.

Third Thursday Series – Race 2. 1, Heatwave (Mike McMahon). 2, Polished Manx (Kuba Szymanski). 3, Minuet (Mike Bailey). 4, Drumbeat (Dave Luton). 5, Skoosh (Doug Williamson).

ENDS