ISO Gala - Isle Of Sheppey SC (19th & 20th June 2004)
The Secret is Out!
The pioneering ISO fleet has done it again! Our hosts were the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club www.iossc.org.uk hosting their first event for several years. Their huge expanse of water gave us just the room we needed to get the best from the asymmetric kite.
12 ISOs, 5 Buzz and 2 Spice lined up for the start. Chairman Bob and crew Luke in 814 took a commanding lead of Race 1 in the first lap to show the usual fleet leaders what an ISO transom looks like as a dot on the horizon. This lead was held until the last mark when the experience of Team RWO squeezed past taking a narrow victory, leaving 814 to just clinch 2nd from Neil Pryde by a nose!
Race 2 and Team RWO did it again, followed by 1197 Team Veitch and Neil Pryde taking another 3rd. Race 3 and the dropping wind with strengthening tide at the windward mark took its toll, Team RWO leading the penalty turns, leaving 1176 Neil Pryde to take line honours just ahead of 1188 Smart Nav.
Sunday gave us a force 4 rising 5 to play with, giving Smart Nav just the conditions they like to ace the day and recover the event from the upstarts in 814 snapping at all the leaders heals. Race Officer Ken Brown gave the fleet a challenge in the last race with a huge course which was complemented by a squall coming through with 28 mph winds causing some painful grins for all competitors!
A very satisfying weekend. Our previous two weeks practice showing the Laser 4000s the way home had paid off.
Full Results Here....
