2018/19 TIRYC Bowl for DF 95
Held on the last Sunday of each month - 12 events thoughout the year
DF95 TIRYC Bowl Round 7 26/05/2019
Good evening All
A good fleet of 14 DF95’s today when we again welcomed our members from Huntingdon and Grafham Water, it is really good to see so many boats competing
Our 14 boats became 13 when Mike Evans opted out to take time to observe the tactics and strategies on the water, always a good thing to do. Mike manfully did the scoring which was really helpful given the number of boats and the strength of the wind, many thanks Mike
With a brisk SW wind we started from the two start marks off of the western jetty down to doom bay, not too bad today, then a run down to a mark mid lake out to a spreader, red 3 on the perimeter of our course and a beat back to doom bay and repeat with no spreader. Two skippers started with B rigs with Mike Kemp staying with it and Rob staying until Race 5 when he opted to change up. In truth the A rig was the rig of choice which made the results by Mike Kemp all the more impressive, he sailed impeccably to score just 10 points. KC was consistent at the top (behind Mike!) to come in second place with 16 points. Mike Ewart was a bit up and down but had 2 first places and a second which helped a lot finishing on 28 points
The wind was, as always, tricky from that direction making the beat in particular difficult and places were won and lost on each leg. The competition was close with boats tumbling over the finish line within a few boats lengths of each other, we continue to improve as a fleet
Next weekend the club hosts the DF65 National Championships. We have a race team in place but any member wanting to turn up to observe how the best in the country sail would be of benefit, you may even get a job for a while
All for now, non trophy events on Wednesday and Friday
Cheers
Keith
Good evening All
A good fleet of 14 DF95’s today when we again welcomed our members from Huntingdon and Grafham Water, it is really good to see so many boats competing
Our 14 boats became 13 when Mike Evans opted out to take time to observe the tactics and strategies on the water, always a good thing to do. Mike manfully did the scoring which was really helpful given the number of boats and the strength of the wind, many thanks Mike
With a brisk SW wind we started from the two start marks off of the western jetty down to doom bay, not too bad today, then a run down to a mark mid lake out to a spreader, red 3 on the perimeter of our course and a beat back to doom bay and repeat with no spreader. Two skippers started with B rigs with Mike Kemp staying with it and Rob staying until Race 5 when he opted to change up. In truth the A rig was the rig of choice which made the results by Mike Kemp all the more impressive, he sailed impeccably to score just 10 points. KC was consistent at the top (behind Mike!) to come in second place with 16 points. Mike Ewart was a bit up and down but had 2 first places and a second which helped a lot finishing on 28 points
The wind was, as always, tricky from that direction making the beat in particular difficult and places were won and lost on each leg. The competition was close with boats tumbling over the finish line within a few boats lengths of each other, we continue to improve as a fleet
Next weekend the club hosts the DF65 National Championships. We have a race team in place but any member wanting to turn up to observe how the best in the country sail would be of benefit, you may even get a job for a while
All for now, non trophy events on Wednesday and Friday
Cheers
Keith
TIRYC Bowl Round 6 results 28/04/2019
Good afternoon All
WOW - 15 boats started out on the water today, a really good fleet, probably one of our largest this year. The numbers were boosted by members Andy Harrold and David Green from Huntingdon club, a new member Nick Beloe from Abington Park and finally Andy Johnson and Andy Baldock who joined the club at the lake also from Huntingdon. They were all a very welcome addition to our club and we hope to see much more of them in the future to spice up the competition.
I said we started with 15 boats that soon became 14 boats as after race 1 Rob Tottey lost control of his boat (rudder failure i think) which proceeded to sail across to the far bank. Our old friend Fred Finch, now a water bailiff , saw the boat and picked it up and returned to the race area. Meanwhile Rob had departed to get his boat in his car passing Fred coming in the other direction but unseen to find that his boat had disappeared. it took some time for Rob to give up the hunt and return to find his boat safe and sound!
To the course, with a NW wind of a good strength we started just off the jetty between new Red 6 to the bank (this was later widened to be Orange 7 and the bank to allow for the bigger fleet). We beat out to new Red 2 to port down to white 1 as the spreader into the right hand bay new Red 7 and repeat. The bigger than usual fleet presented some real challenges with the windward mark giving particular difficulties. If we keep this size of fleet we will quickly learn to try to keep out of trouble! Indeed KC had a good day doing exactly that finishing with 15 points. He started nearly always late and absolutely to windward of the fleet usually just needing to put in one tack to the windward mark on the first leg depending on the shifts which were many and varied. This kept him out of trouble - mostly!! Mike Kemp was in second place with 23 points and Dorian with his usual consistent performance on 29 points. Mike Ewart and David Green also put in some good performances and Mike Stevens also had a good day. With the bigger fleet we took the decision after race 2 to ask for a volunteer ‘Race Officer’ to cope with the scoring. Thanks to all the volunteers who received average points when off the water
After 11 races at around midday we finished. I think we all truly enjoyed the racing which definitely benefited from the bigger fleet and good competitive performances from our new members. The atmosphere and spirit of the competition was exemplary and a tribute to all. long may it continue
Cheers
Keith
Good afternoon All
WOW - 15 boats started out on the water today, a really good fleet, probably one of our largest this year. The numbers were boosted by members Andy Harrold and David Green from Huntingdon club, a new member Nick Beloe from Abington Park and finally Andy Johnson and Andy Baldock who joined the club at the lake also from Huntingdon. They were all a very welcome addition to our club and we hope to see much more of them in the future to spice up the competition.
I said we started with 15 boats that soon became 14 boats as after race 1 Rob Tottey lost control of his boat (rudder failure i think) which proceeded to sail across to the far bank. Our old friend Fred Finch, now a water bailiff , saw the boat and picked it up and returned to the race area. Meanwhile Rob had departed to get his boat in his car passing Fred coming in the other direction but unseen to find that his boat had disappeared. it took some time for Rob to give up the hunt and return to find his boat safe and sound!
To the course, with a NW wind of a good strength we started just off the jetty between new Red 6 to the bank (this was later widened to be Orange 7 and the bank to allow for the bigger fleet). We beat out to new Red 2 to port down to white 1 as the spreader into the right hand bay new Red 7 and repeat. The bigger than usual fleet presented some real challenges with the windward mark giving particular difficulties. If we keep this size of fleet we will quickly learn to try to keep out of trouble! Indeed KC had a good day doing exactly that finishing with 15 points. He started nearly always late and absolutely to windward of the fleet usually just needing to put in one tack to the windward mark on the first leg depending on the shifts which were many and varied. This kept him out of trouble - mostly!! Mike Kemp was in second place with 23 points and Dorian with his usual consistent performance on 29 points. Mike Ewart and David Green also put in some good performances and Mike Stevens also had a good day. With the bigger fleet we took the decision after race 2 to ask for a volunteer ‘Race Officer’ to cope with the scoring. Thanks to all the volunteers who received average points when off the water
After 11 races at around midday we finished. I think we all truly enjoyed the racing which definitely benefited from the bigger fleet and good competitive performances from our new members. The atmosphere and spirit of the competition was exemplary and a tribute to all. long may it continue
Cheers
Keith
Round 5 Sunday March 31st
Good afternoon All
Nine skippers arrived at the lake expecting a good breeze from a good direction of NNE straight down the lake. The direction was as expected but the wind was much stronger than forecast. After Race 1 when we all started with A Rig most boats changed to B Rig for the rest of the morning. Those that didn’t either did not have a B Rig or left it at home!!
Our course was three triangles. starting from the near whites out to Orange 7 spread to Orange 4 down to new Red 1 in the left hand bay and repeat twice more. We used a shorter course than usual for safety reasons hence the three laps.
Mike Ewart was in fine form and after discards had a perfect score of 6 points. KC followed with 13 points and Mike Stevens in third place with a well sailed 17 points given he was on A Rig.
Over the morning it was a toss up as the whether A or B was best. On balance B Rig probably gave the best performance.
There were a few incidents - Paul Risdale took out KC and Dorian on a couple of occasions when colliding when on the run to the leeward Mark, Richard’s main sail fell down when the dyneema at the top parted, Rob lost one race with a winch issue and struggled after that as the sails would not go fully out and Mike Ewart’s boom came apart in the last race. Finally Steve Wheeler got stuck on a buoy, Rob tried his usually successful manoeuvre to bounce Steve off. He was successful but he became entangled with Steve and both boats drifted onto the island. The inflatable was fetched and a rescue was effected
So an eventful day but well done to Mike Ewart who mastered the conditions extremely well
This week is ’Trophy week’ with Wednesday, Friday and Sunday being trophy competitions. The weather will be colder with snow forecast for Wednesday but…it can change!
All for now
Cheers
Keith
Good afternoon All
Nine skippers arrived at the lake expecting a good breeze from a good direction of NNE straight down the lake. The direction was as expected but the wind was much stronger than forecast. After Race 1 when we all started with A Rig most boats changed to B Rig for the rest of the morning. Those that didn’t either did not have a B Rig or left it at home!!
Our course was three triangles. starting from the near whites out to Orange 7 spread to Orange 4 down to new Red 1 in the left hand bay and repeat twice more. We used a shorter course than usual for safety reasons hence the three laps.
Mike Ewart was in fine form and after discards had a perfect score of 6 points. KC followed with 13 points and Mike Stevens in third place with a well sailed 17 points given he was on A Rig.
Over the morning it was a toss up as the whether A or B was best. On balance B Rig probably gave the best performance.
There were a few incidents - Paul Risdale took out KC and Dorian on a couple of occasions when colliding when on the run to the leeward Mark, Richard’s main sail fell down when the dyneema at the top parted, Rob lost one race with a winch issue and struggled after that as the sails would not go fully out and Mike Ewart’s boom came apart in the last race. Finally Steve Wheeler got stuck on a buoy, Rob tried his usually successful manoeuvre to bounce Steve off. He was successful but he became entangled with Steve and both boats drifted onto the island. The inflatable was fetched and a rescue was effected
So an eventful day but well done to Mike Ewart who mastered the conditions extremely well
This week is ’Trophy week’ with Wednesday, Friday and Sunday being trophy competitions. The weather will be colder with snow forecast for Wednesday but…it can change!
All for now
Cheers
Keith
Round 4 Sunday 24th February
Good evening All
10 skippers arrived this morning in glorious sunshine but……no wind!. The fleet quickly became 9 as Mike Stevens departed midway through Race 1 a) frustrated and b) he had a patio to lay!
With a SE wind we started from the near white marks out to new re 6 across to orange 4 down to new red 1 in the bay out to orange 4 to red 1 and finish
The wind such as it was came in fits and starts mostly drifting or slightly better and occasionally a little stronger. We managed just 6 races so only one discard. Most if not all skippers unusually were affected by reeds or sticks catching around the keel. Our thoughts are that it was the residue from the trimming of the island trees which had not moved due to no wind. A few either suffered or brought the boats in to get rid of the offending material. It did affect the results for many
However after a slowish start in Races 1 and 2 John Simmons got going with two firsts and two seconds to win with 10 points. Second was Mike Kemp on 15 points and KC third with 17 points. Fourth and fifth places went to Dorian and Mike E both on 18 points with Dorian taking fourth on Countback. Very close results at the top (other than John) but certainly affected by the conditions for some and others not quite so much
We welcomed a new member Mike Evans (did Wales win yesterday?) who is finishing a DF95 and we also said hello to Stephen Wheeler who put in a visit after a while away
All for now
Keith
Good evening All
10 skippers arrived this morning in glorious sunshine but……no wind!. The fleet quickly became 9 as Mike Stevens departed midway through Race 1 a) frustrated and b) he had a patio to lay!
With a SE wind we started from the near white marks out to new re 6 across to orange 4 down to new red 1 in the bay out to orange 4 to red 1 and finish
The wind such as it was came in fits and starts mostly drifting or slightly better and occasionally a little stronger. We managed just 6 races so only one discard. Most if not all skippers unusually were affected by reeds or sticks catching around the keel. Our thoughts are that it was the residue from the trimming of the island trees which had not moved due to no wind. A few either suffered or brought the boats in to get rid of the offending material. It did affect the results for many
However after a slowish start in Races 1 and 2 John Simmons got going with two firsts and two seconds to win with 10 points. Second was Mike Kemp on 15 points and KC third with 17 points. Fourth and fifth places went to Dorian and Mike E both on 18 points with Dorian taking fourth on Countback. Very close results at the top (other than John) but certainly affected by the conditions for some and others not quite so much
We welcomed a new member Mike Evans (did Wales win yesterday?) who is finishing a DF95 and we also said hello to Stephen Wheeler who put in a visit after a while away
All for now
Keith
Sunday 27th January - DF95 TIRYC Bowl Round 3
Hi Folks,
Six of us gathered at the lakeside this morning ready to launch our DF95s into the choppy waters of Furzton lake that greeted us. The temperature was a relatively balmy 5 degrees but the North Westerly wind deceived our senses into thinking it was nearer zero. The more sensible skippers arrived at the lakeside with 'B' suits rigged; three of the six thought they could tough it out with 'A' rig: rather two did and one had only an 'A' rig to play with. Mike K. soon concluded that he was mistaken, but not before the middle batten on his nice new mainsail had lost its grip, and pulled out of race one to change down to 'B': he was followed at the end of the race by Mike S. who also decided to change. John Simmons thought better of continuing with his over-canvassed yacht and eventually retired to warmer surroundings. For a couple of races Paul and Dorian chased Mike K around at what appeared a respectful distance while Rob and Mike S. couldn't seem to hit their usual competitive form. Then Mike K had to make another rig change after his 'B' rig jib anchor line parted between races. From then on it was a case of 'C' rigged Mike working very hard to stay with and if possible ahead of the fleet. The 'C' rigged yacht was able to climb much closer to the wind than those with 'B' rigs but demonstrating just how little power there is with those small sails when the wind dropped in typical Furzton fashion. Rob eventually pulled his yacht off the water with a winch that had gone fully 'out' and then only make a quarter turn back.
The wind peaked at around 11:15 with just a hint of 'white caps' appearing, a sign of around 25mph on a lake such as ours, but there was no rain and even a period of sun. The course from starting between red 5 and the windward edge of the right hand jetty, going up to the white bouy just off the western island and back down to red 8 in the right hand bay before heading out to the windward white; with a trip to white 1 on the first downwind leg only; gave plenty of opportunities for tacking duals upwind and nervous moments for the leader downwind. All skippers occasionally suffered from the familiar tacking difficulty when not having enough speed to get through that head-to-wind; just occasionally going too close to the bank before attempting the tack: a real problem when trying to get out of the bay after rounding red 8. All in all a testing morning with an unusual opportunity to learn about sailing in winds stronger than we normally get.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Six of us gathered at the lakeside this morning ready to launch our DF95s into the choppy waters of Furzton lake that greeted us. The temperature was a relatively balmy 5 degrees but the North Westerly wind deceived our senses into thinking it was nearer zero. The more sensible skippers arrived at the lakeside with 'B' suits rigged; three of the six thought they could tough it out with 'A' rig: rather two did and one had only an 'A' rig to play with. Mike K. soon concluded that he was mistaken, but not before the middle batten on his nice new mainsail had lost its grip, and pulled out of race one to change down to 'B': he was followed at the end of the race by Mike S. who also decided to change. John Simmons thought better of continuing with his over-canvassed yacht and eventually retired to warmer surroundings. For a couple of races Paul and Dorian chased Mike K around at what appeared a respectful distance while Rob and Mike S. couldn't seem to hit their usual competitive form. Then Mike K had to make another rig change after his 'B' rig jib anchor line parted between races. From then on it was a case of 'C' rigged Mike working very hard to stay with and if possible ahead of the fleet. The 'C' rigged yacht was able to climb much closer to the wind than those with 'B' rigs but demonstrating just how little power there is with those small sails when the wind dropped in typical Furzton fashion. Rob eventually pulled his yacht off the water with a winch that had gone fully 'out' and then only make a quarter turn back.
The wind peaked at around 11:15 with just a hint of 'white caps' appearing, a sign of around 25mph on a lake such as ours, but there was no rain and even a period of sun. The course from starting between red 5 and the windward edge of the right hand jetty, going up to the white bouy just off the western island and back down to red 8 in the right hand bay before heading out to the windward white; with a trip to white 1 on the first downwind leg only; gave plenty of opportunities for tacking duals upwind and nervous moments for the leader downwind. All skippers occasionally suffered from the familiar tacking difficulty when not having enough speed to get through that head-to-wind; just occasionally going too close to the bank before attempting the tack: a real problem when trying to get out of the bay after rounding red 8. All in all a testing morning with an unusual opportunity to learn about sailing in winds stronger than we normally get.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
DF95 TIRYC Bowl Round 2 Results
Good afternoon All
After the (maybe) over indulgence of the festive period a large fleet of 12 boats turned out for the last race morning of 2018. The wind was lighter than expected and from the west giving a good dose of pot luck on positions depending on where in the lake you were at any one time. Boats with no wind were passed by others within a few yards (or less) going full tilt on a stream of wind that came from nowhere. the results show differences race by race with skippers some times in the top three and next race in the bottom three. It was very hard to be consistent in the conditions. That was except for Mike Kemp who sailed an almost flawless set of races with 5 wins out of 8 races and nothing lower than fourth, which he could discard. Well done to Mike.
The course was our usual westerly version but starting with a wide line from the outer white start marks up to red 1 in the bay down to the two reds mid lake and repeat with three laps. The start often provided little or no tacking with many boats able to lay the windward mark in one tack. This provided some interesting moments at the mark which continued down the leeward mark with many boats side by side on a dead run! However all went OK with turns being done when needed.
KC was the most consistent after Mike Kemp coming a surprising second (at least for KC) with 18 points after discards. Third was Rob Tottey on 21 points narrowly beating Dorian into fourth place with 22 points
Other than for Mike Kemp it can be described as difficult or frustrating sailing but good to be out on the lake as always with a great sized fleet.
Keith
Good afternoon All
After the (maybe) over indulgence of the festive period a large fleet of 12 boats turned out for the last race morning of 2018. The wind was lighter than expected and from the west giving a good dose of pot luck on positions depending on where in the lake you were at any one time. Boats with no wind were passed by others within a few yards (or less) going full tilt on a stream of wind that came from nowhere. the results show differences race by race with skippers some times in the top three and next race in the bottom three. It was very hard to be consistent in the conditions. That was except for Mike Kemp who sailed an almost flawless set of races with 5 wins out of 8 races and nothing lower than fourth, which he could discard. Well done to Mike.
The course was our usual westerly version but starting with a wide line from the outer white start marks up to red 1 in the bay down to the two reds mid lake and repeat with three laps. The start often provided little or no tacking with many boats able to lay the windward mark in one tack. This provided some interesting moments at the mark which continued down the leeward mark with many boats side by side on a dead run! However all went OK with turns being done when needed.
KC was the most consistent after Mike Kemp coming a surprising second (at least for KC) with 18 points after discards. Third was Rob Tottey on 21 points narrowly beating Dorian into fourth place with 22 points
Other than for Mike Kemp it can be described as difficult or frustrating sailing but good to be out on the lake as always with a great sized fleet.
Keith
DF95 TIRYC Bowl Round 1 25/11/2018
Good evening All
Today was the first round of the DF95 TIRYC Bowl series with nine 95’s out on the water. The wind was NE so straight down the lake giving a straightforward course with a good long beat. This is probably our best direction but coming from the east it was bloody cold! However we stuck it out completing 11 races before a warm car and journey home beckoned
Mike Kemp was in excellent form with a very fast boat winning 6 of the 11 races and coming second in the remaining 5. However KC kept him honest with a rush at the end of first places giving five fists overall. After discards there was just one point in it with Mike on 12 points and KC on 13! Mike Ewart made up the podium places with 39 points.
We ‘lost' Rob Tottey for three races when his rudder gave up and he sailed to the opposite bank. He was a bit upset as he had just fitted a brand new rudder servo after a failure last time out. On retrieval he found that on fitting the new servo he had not tightened the screw on the rudder stock tight enough hence the steering rod became detached DOH!
Other than that a good if cold morning with a good fleet and challenging racing
All for now
Cheers
Keith
Good evening All
Today was the first round of the DF95 TIRYC Bowl series with nine 95’s out on the water. The wind was NE so straight down the lake giving a straightforward course with a good long beat. This is probably our best direction but coming from the east it was bloody cold! However we stuck it out completing 11 races before a warm car and journey home beckoned
Mike Kemp was in excellent form with a very fast boat winning 6 of the 11 races and coming second in the remaining 5. However KC kept him honest with a rush at the end of first places giving five fists overall. After discards there was just one point in it with Mike on 12 points and KC on 13! Mike Ewart made up the podium places with 39 points.
We ‘lost' Rob Tottey for three races when his rudder gave up and he sailed to the opposite bank. He was a bit upset as he had just fitted a brand new rudder servo after a failure last time out. On retrieval he found that on fitting the new servo he had not tightened the screw on the rudder stock tight enough hence the steering rod became detached DOH!
Other than that a good if cold morning with a good fleet and challenging racing
All for now
Cheers
Keith
